The Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and the Gold Cup are the three historic features of the Cheltenham Festival week.
Henry De Bromhead became the first trainer to win all three in the same year, pulling off that phenomenal Triple Crown in 2021.
It was achievement at the time that was overshadowed by the ground-breaking Rachael Blackmore, who was on two of those victors.
As a female jockey one was unprecedented, never mind two. Aboard A Plus Tard, she was scuppered by stablemate Minella Indo in her bid for a legendary hat-trick.
Riding two of those three has been done on 18 occasions, some of which were before the Champion Chase existed, so three would have been particularly difficult. Winter, Taaffe and Brabazon among those to do so and were household names.
In more recent times Norman Williamson, AP McCoy, Barry Geraghty and Ruby Walsh are legends who achieved a brace.
Paul Townend became the first to do it on three occasions earlier this week. Gaelic Warrior will be his partner in an attempt to complete the treble. His prolific success at the highest level is a nod to the dominance of Willie Mullins, himself bidding to match De Bromhead's feat.
In the most wide open Gold Cup to my memory and likely for a long time before, Gaelic Warrior has as good a chance as any. Keen and wayward in his younger days, the Rich Ricci-owned eight-year-old is mellowing with the move up in trip. He stayed 3m1f on a flat track at Aintree last April. He has solid form since over 3m and the owner doesn’t question his stamina, saying the extra two and half furlongs won’t be an issue. "He stays all day" in a confident Anglo-American articulation.
Last year’s winner Inothewayyurthinkin hasn’t risen a gallop on three starts this season. That form gives him no chance but Gavin Cromwell’s team are having an upswing in well-being. The talk is that the reigning champ is now rising with that tide.
His owner JP McManus also has Spillane’s Tower, another horse who didn’t look to be fulfilling his potential until a January victory at the track in the Cotswolds Chase.
Spillane's Tower is to be ridden by Harry Cobden, who will be first-choice jockey in the green and gold colours next term.
The Somerset farmer is also gaining traction on the Mullins’ teamsheet so I’m sure we will be seeing plenty of him in Ireland.
Harry Redknapp’s King George winner The Jukebox Man, the on-fire Henderson’s Arkle winner Jango Baie, Rebecca Curtis’ ever improving Haiti Couleurs and team Skelton’s Grey Dawning all have proper chances. This is a proper Gold Cup.
Willie Mullins has the favourite for each of the other Grade Ones on the card. The fact he is responsible for nine of the 20 in the Triumph Hurdle illustrates the depth of purchasing power.
Proactif came with a big reputation from Auteuil and still has it after winning at Fairyhouse. Of the rest, Selma De Vary was Paul Townend’s selection in what must a hard puzzle.
The Mares’ Chase has a talented field. Last year’s winner Dinoblue will have most to fear from stable companion Spindleberry but it won’t be easy for the Mullins pair as there is plenty of depth to the field.
Doctor Steinberg is their main contender for the Albert Bartlett, dubbed the potato race in honour of its sponsor.
A facile victor of the Dublin Racing Festival’s Nathaniel Lacey Hurdle sees him eight pounds ahead on ratings.
The next best figure belongs to Thedeviluno, who would be a popular winner for the charismatic Wexford handler Paul Nolan.
