We’re just a few short weeks away from the start of the Cheltenham Festival, one of the showpiece events on the horse racing calendar, and anticipation is certainly building in the air — with the Gold Cup the most prestigious race. One of the most iconic events across British sport, the Festival attracts both horse racing enthusiast and more casual spectators checking the best odds for betting Cheltenham Gold Cup — with odds being blown wide open this season.
It will be refreshing to see spectators back in the stands after last year’s absence, when an interesting race took place behind closed doors. Read on, as we go through some of the big talking points from last year’s Gold Cup.
History for Henry de Bromhead
As expected, it was the experienced Henry de Bromhead who dominated the headlines thanks to a confident display from Minella Indo. Having performed well at Leopardstown the month before, but just coming up short to Kemboy and The Storyteller, the then eight-year-old came into Cheltenham with a point to prove, and performed valiantly to justify his status as one of the race’s favourite in the betting tips for the Cheltenham Festival.
Despite a slow start, he eventually found his feet, pulling ahead by two lengths and stayed on to make history for his trainer De Bromhead. Victory ensured the Irishman became the first ever trainer to win the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Gold Cup in the same year, something he said felt like a dream.
“I think I’m still in the hotel – it’s Monday night and it is the start of the week and nothing has happened as of yet, it’s mad!
“It’s massive and the Gold Cup is what you dream about winning. Any of these races, winners at Cheltenham, I can’t tell you how much they mean, you just dream about it. Like I say, I’m going to wake up it’s Monday evening and that’s it.”
A Plus Tard comes up short
Rachael Blackmore went on to enjoy a great 2021 — winning the Grand National in April as well as picking up the Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year. However, the Gold Cup was certainly a race to forget following the second-place finish. Usually, a podium place in such a critically acclaimed Grade One race would be satisfactory, but for someone with standards as high as Blackmore’s, the result would feel bitter sweet, as De Bromhead’s other entry finished as a runner up.
A mistake at the 16th jump would define the race, as the eight-year-old lost all momentum and failed to gather enough back, lacking the fluency to catch Minella Indo in the end. It will be interesting to see if he can gather a measure of revenge this time around after some big wins early this season.
Bryony Frost’s Frodon flatters to deceive
Having led the start of the race, it certainly came as a surprise to see Frodon finish the race fifth under Bryony Frost. Knowing what we know now, that Frost was harassed and bullied by fellow jockey Robbie Dunne, who received an 18-month ban, it is testament to Frost that she performed that well given the circumstances. At the time it felt like Frodon could have done better, especially considering his victory in the King George VI Chase back in the December. The Paul Nicholls-trained horse went on to win his next race at Sandown in the Oaksey Chase, but would miss out on Gold Cup glory, having placed behind Native River and two-time winner Al Boum Photo in a race to forget.