UK Horse Racing Tips

National Hunt racing doesn’t get any better than the 2013 Cheltenham Festival. For excitement, anticipation and passion make sure you are part of the action with four days of outstanding racing from the 12th – 15th March.

Bring racing alive.

Friday 15th March sees the most prestigious of all National Hunt races – the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This race is open to horses five years and older contesting a distance of 3m 21/2f . Often referred to as the Blue Riband of jump-racing, it was inaugurated in 1924 when Red Splash led the way, trained by Fred Withington and ridden by Dick Rees. 

This race has been won by a number of outstanding horses, many becoming part of our rich racing heritage.

Only three horses have won this race aged five, all in the 1920 -30s. The most notable being a true racing legend Golden Miller. The oldest winning horses were Silver Fame (1951) & What A Myth (1969). Both were twelve years old. Since 1970, no horse has won aged over ten years. 

Easter Hero, trained by Jack Anthony, was the first horse to win the race in consecutive years (1929 – 30). However, this record was put in the shade by the outstanding talent of Golden Miller who – still to this day – is the most successful race horse having won five times 1932 – 1936. He may well have won in 1937 but for the race being abandoned due to the course flooding. Just for good measure, he won the Grand National in 1934. He was the only horse to have ever done this in the same year. A statue of Golden Miller stands tall near the parade ring at Cheltenham Racecourse. 

We had to wait until 1948 to see another inspirational horse who heralded the talents of trainer Vincent O’Brien. Remarkably Cottage Rake failed three different vet examinations before starting his jumping career. Owned by Frank Vickerman, this Irish horse won the Gold Cup three times in succession. This horse helped the Gold Cup become popular with Irish race fans.

In 1964 Arkle won his first of three races, trained by Tom Dreaper, and owned by the Duchess of Westminster. He became a racing legend. This Irish-bred horse was  said to gain his strength from drinking Guinness twice a day. He is the highest rated steeplechaser by Timeform (212).    

In 1970 we saw another supreme talent in the shape of L’Escgot. He went on to win the race the following year and often remembered for halting the winning run of Red Rum in the 1975 Grand National. 

Other favourites include Burrough Hill Lad (1984), Dawn Run, the most successful racemare in the history of National Hunt racing. She was the only horse to complete the Champion Hurdle – Gold Cup double. And the only horse to complete the English, Irish & French Champion Hurdle treble. Another favourite was seen with Desert Orchid, the popular winning grey in 1989. Many still recall his bold-jumping style and iron will to beat the mud loving Yahoo in a race to the line.

In more recent times Best Mate, trained by Henrietta Knight and ridden Jim Culloty, proved victorious winning three consecutive races from 2002. He was one of the most loved horses in the history of horse racing in the UK. He matched the record of Arkle. He was never out of the first two in all his 22 starts or fell at a fence or hurdle. His career earning were over one million pounds.

Kauto Star was the first horse ever to regain the Gold Cup in 2009 after being successful two years earlier. His trainer, Paul Nicholls, won the race in 2008 with Denman. 

Synchronised is the most recent winner when ridden by Tony McCoy, in the familiar racing silks of J.P. McManus. 

Long Run won the race in 2011 and makes a return to this year’s 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He is one of the major fancies alongside rivals such as Bobs Worth, Sir Des Champs, Silviniaco Conti & First Lieutenant.
What’s your fancy for the big race? 

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