Here at BoyleSports we assembled a panel of horse racing experts to preview all the upcoming action at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Host of the BoyleSports Cheltenham Preview Night was the Racing Post's David Jennings who was joined by BoyleSports Racing Ambassador Robbie Power, Johnny Dineen of Upping The Ante, David Casey who is Assistant Trainer to Willie Mullins, Trainer Gavin Cromwell, and racing expert Tony Keenan.
To preview the chances of Hewick in the Cheltenham Gold Cup John 'Shark' Hanlon joined the show via video link. BoyleSports are now the official Stable Partner of Shark Hanlon and he was speaking to Brian O'Keeffe of BoyleSports about how Hewick's preparations are coming along for the Gold Cup.
Here at BoyleSports we have pledged to donate €100,000 to charity if Hewick wins the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The €100,000 would be split between the Irish Injured Jockeys and the Injured Jockeys Fund in the UK.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Tips
David Casey - Galopin Des Champs @ Evens
Gavin Cromwell - Galopin Des Champs @ Evens
Robbie Power - Galopin Des Champs @ Evens & Gentlemansgame @ 16/1 E/W
Tony Keenan - Corach Rambler @ 16/1 E/W
Johnny Dineen - Opposing Galopin Des Champs
Cheltenham Gold Cup Preview
Shark Hanlon
“Hewick came out of the King George really well, after two days he was as fresh as could be. He worked very well in Naas the other day, and another one or two bits of work will have him ready.
I think he’s improved since last year and I’m hoping the weather dries up a little bit because this weather would break your heart at the moment. “His ideal conditions are good ground and I was in two minds whether to run him or not in the Gold Cup but when he was coming down the hill I wouldn’t have swapped him for any other horse, he was running a cracker.
I think he would have been in the first three if he’d have stood up and it would have been a great result on ground that wasn’t fully right for him. The only chance we’ll have of beating Galopin Des Champs is if we get proper good ground.”
David Casey
“Galopin Des Champs has been there and done it and beaten most of them. He was very good at Christmas and at the Dublin Racing Festival, so I don’t see where the chink is. He’s in great order and if he turns up that way, he’s the one they all have to beat.”
Robbie Power
“There were questions marks over Galopin Des Champs before Christmas, but he won the Gold Cup last year when everything didn’t go according to plan – Paul Townend had to change tactics very early on in the race. I think he’ll be ridden more positively this year and will be very hard to beat. I do think Shishkin is a big danger, I thought he’d have won the King Geroge only for stumbling, he was unlucky.
“Gentlemansgame has an each-way chance if he gets cut in the ground. He lacks experience for a Gold Cup, but he’s a very good horse with stamina in abundance. There’s no-one better than Mouse Morris to tune a horse for the Festival.
“We’ll need to see a better Gerri Colombe than we saw at Leopardstown at Christmas. I met Jack Kennedy on the way back in and he said there were no excuses, he jumped satisfactorily but was just beaten by an exceptional horse on the day. I know Gordon Elliott and the team think he didn’t run his race, but he’s got to improve a hell of a lot, or Galopin Des Champs will have to retreat.”
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