THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 14-17 MARCH 2023
“Vauban was able to win the Triumph Hurdle even without having the experience over hurdles that he should have going into that type of race”
said: “He has a lot of ability and his Flat racing experience helped him. He could be a nice horse for the future. I’d imagine that the Champion Hurdle is the obvious place to go. “He was able to win that even without having the experience over hurdles that he should have going into that type of race.” Last but not least, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle is tasked with bringing the curtain down on The Cheltenham Festival. The final runner passing the winning post will signal the end of the meeting, but also the beginning of the countdown to the next.
known as a factory for stars of the future. Indeed, previous winners of the race have included the likes of Zakandar in 2011, Defi du Seuil in 2017 and even a future Randox Grand National winner in Tiger Roll in 2014. And we almost certainly saw another star in the making in the form of Vauban, trained by Willie Mullins. The fact that he was in colours carried to success over the years by Faugheen, Vautour and Annie Power to name just three, it is fair to say that a lot of pressure was on the shoulders of the 6-4 favourite. But there was hardly a moment’s worry for Mullins, who did not mince his words in the aftermath. He
I mean? What I’m doing now is a dream that I could never allow myself to have because it was not even in my reality. You can never dream too big because this is something I never thought would be possible.” Following the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is the St James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase. The race is known as the ‘Gold Cup for amateur riders’ given it is being run over the exact same distance as the feature and channels a traditional Corinthian spirit, which very few other sports can replicate. Thrilling action is a given and this is not one to be missed. The day begins with the Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle, which has become
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