They are two of the biggest races in the National Hunt calendar but which is bigger; the Cheltenham Gold Cup or Aintree Grand National?
After months of racing, analysis and build-up we have finally made it to the Cheltenham Festival. Ahead of the Festival, we spoke to Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Mark Dwyer in an exclusive interview.
Dwyer gives us his verdict on the Cheltenham Gold Cup v Grand National debate plus recounts his experience of riding Willie Mullins first-ever winner at the Cheltenham Festival along with his preview and tips for the action this week.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Over The Grand National
I was very fortunate to have won a few races there and in my world, the Gold Cup was always the race of the National Hunt season.
Some people would prefer to win the Grand National but growing up, I fancied the Gold Cup over everything. For me, it's still up there with the very best races in the National Hunt calendar.
*Galopin Des Champs is the favourite to win the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup at 5/4 per the latest Cheltenham odds at BoyleSports.
Impact of Willie Mullins Dominance on National Hunt Racing
I think negativity is the wrong word. It's not Willie's fault that he has all the best horses, supplied by good judges from the likes of France. He has a good team of staff at home to run the show properly. David Casey, who's second in command, is a great help and an asset to the team.
There's no surprise that everything is going as well as it is for Mullins.
Who’s The Next Willie Mullins?
Certainly in this era, Willie Mullins is one-of-a-kind. He's very well-bred to be as successful as he is. His father was a very shrewd man. All of his relations are equally involved.
You have to commend Willie's nephew, Emmett, because he's a young chap and has already achieved a lot. There are plenty of good guys in England coming along too.
James Owen is doing well at Newmarket and then you've got Harry Derham, who's a relation to Paul Nicholls. He looks like he's going places and may well be able to do it.
Willie Mullins To Make Cheltenham History
It's absolutely a case of when not if Willie Mullins makes history. He's got the best horses and nothing's going to change in the next year or two. Back in my day, you had Michael Dickinson who was dominating and then you had Martin Pipe to a certain extent. He was very successful and everyone was frightened of him when he was going well.
Willie Mullins is a step up from those guys though, and I just can't see why he won't keep going. He's surrounded by very good people and his dominance will continue I feel.
Prestbury Cup Preview – Expect One-Way Traffic
You've got three of the big guns there. Willie Mullins, Henry De Bromhead and Gordon Elliott. On paper, dominance is a word you'd use but listen, I know Paul Nicholls only has one runner on Tuesday but he's got plenty of fancies throughout the week. His horses generally turn up here.
There has to be questions over the form of Nicky Henderson's yard. It's all leading towards Irish dominance again in my opinion.
Willie Mullins To Hit Double Figure Wins At This Cheltenham Festival
Willie Mullins will comfortably go into double figures when it comes to winners this week. I don't know where they'll come from but I'd be sure he'll do it.
I'd be absolutely amazed if he doesn't hit double figures. I'd also be surprised if the winners are split 50/50 between Ireland and England by the end of the week. It'll be lopsided towards the Irish horses again.
*Willie Mullins is Evens to train 10 or more winners at this year's Cheltenham Festival according to the latest Cheltenham betting at BoyleSports.
When you take out the likes of Constitution Hill, who is an English banker, it's all relevant.
Ben Pauling is going to go there with around 10 runners and I would be surprised if he doesn't get amongst the winners.
Riding The First Cheltenham Winner For Willie Mullins
Speaking from my own personal association with Willie, I rode his first Cheltenham winner. When going into the parade ring, there was no conversation. I was waiting for a big list of instructions which you normally get from trainers at Cheltenham.
Willie said one sentence to me, he just said "you know yourself." That was it. I think he'll do the same to his riders this week.
He may talk to you if you haven't ridden the horse before, but he wouldn't tell you how to do the business.
What was he like with you after the winner?
Tourist Attraction was owned by a group of people that I knew at the time and they were instrumental in me getting to ride her. The celebrations were great.
It was Willie's first Cheltenham winner and in anyone's world, that's a big thing. It was a big deal for him.
Riding Willie Mullins’ First Cheltenham Winner A Career Highlight?
Yes, it was. It was halfway through I guess and I had another few years left in me. I didn't ride anymore for Willie Mullins after that but a lot of people remember Willie's first winner at Cheltenham and I was fortunate enough to be associated with it.
How Willie Mullins Prepares For Cheltenham
Willie Mullins won't have any nerves, but he will be worried for sure because there are a lot of hoops to jump through to get these horses ready for a festival like Cheltenham. You're going to have setbacks and injuries that hold you back on the way.
He's got 60+ runners here for the week and every horse will have its own issues but he has a good team so he'll turn up and be relaxed overall.
Cheltenham Festival Is Too Diluted At 4 Days
The three-day festival was always a good event in my opinion and I know courses like to think commercially these days but with regards to the quality of racing, it's been diluted big time and if they were to continue with another day now, it'll have the same outcome.
Jockey’s Mindset When Hot Favourites Like Constitution Hill Drop Out
When you're talking about the likes of Constitution Hill, who was by far the best horse, if you're riding the second best in that field, you'd be so happy that you're not having to take him on because it gives you a better chance of winning a championship race.
Every championship race is important and the easier it's made for the jockeys, the better. As a punter or spectator, I'd have loved to have seen Constitution Hill turn up but unfortunately these things happen.
Horses To Look Out For At Cheltenham
JP McManus has acquired a few new, strong horses. I'd imagine he'll have a very good meeting. State Man looks the obvious horse in the Champion Hurdle.
The ground will play a significant part in the Gold Cup. The softer it is, the better chance Galopin Des Champs has and the drier the ground is will suit Fastorslow - he's the biggest danger if the ground comes good, as far as I can see.
Galopin Des Champs To Win The Cheltenham Gold Cup?
I was at Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival when he beat Fastorslow but he was on suitable ground. As I said before, if the ground is good on Friday, the latter will have the better chance of winning.
There are also other horses you have to look at for the Gold Cup. In a lot of people's opinions, Gerri Colombe was an unlucky loser last year. You've also got L'Homme Presse and Shishkin who would've won the King George if it wasn't for a mishap.
From an outsider's point of view, I think Corach Rambler has a good chance to sneak his way into the places. He likes Cheltenham, he likes this time of year and I think he'll run well. Could he win the Gold Cup? I don't think he's good enough, but should anything happen to those ahead of him, he'll be hanging around waiting.
Gavin Cromwell Poised For A Strong Cheltenham Festival
Outside of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, I'm not sure I see anyone dominating. Gavin Cromwell is doing very well with what he's got and is very capable. He's the new kid on the block and his success rate has been good. He has a handful of horses who have chances.
Outsider Best Bets
It's difficult to pick outside horses. JP has a horse called Crebilly that is very well handicapped and I think there'll be a lot of people wanting to back him. We were associated with Stay Away Fay who runs in the Browns Advisory Novice Chase, that's an open race and he's a good horse. He's a course winner and ran well last time out.
He's back in his own grade now and I'd say he'll be in and around the betting on Wednesday.
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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