Gaelic Warrior is Paul Townend’s charge as he bids to become the winning-most jockey in the history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, as Selma De Vary and Doctor Steinberg are the supporting acts on Friday, March 13.
Betway ambassador Townend bids to take a fifth Cheltenham Gold Cup aboard Gaelic Warrior, after tasting victory twice with Al Boum Photo and the absent Galopin Des Champs, on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Aside from the main race, Townend takes four other rides for Willie Mullins.
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Warrior goes to war in the Cheltenham Gold Cup
A very competitive and wide open renewal of the ‘blue riband’ event, made even more perplexing with the absence of dual winner Galopin Des Champs.
Townend and Mullins are still represented by Rich Ricci’s Gaelic Warrior.
Ricci will be hoping to land a breakthrough success in the showpiece event, which would be the icing on the cake of a good week – after he won the Champion Hurdle with Lossiemouth.
Townend is hoping for more rain and believes his horse can deliver for connections, saying: “Any rain that comes in is going to help him more than any other horse in the race, so I’ll be hoping that the forecast is correct on that front.
“The trip is a bit of an unknown, and you just don’t know until you try it, but if I can get him relaxed, then I don’t think it will be a problem.
“He’s a hardy horse, and I know for a fact he won’t lie down without a battle, so I think he’s the pick of the race.
“It would mean the world to us if we could win a Gold Cup with Gaelic Warrior, and I think he goes there with an outstanding chance.”
Doctor’s orders in the Albert Bartlett?
Mullins and Townend field Doctor Steinberg in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and his jockey believes he will be hard to beat.
“He was a tad keen the last day, and that would be my only concern,” said Townend.
“Hopefully, I can get him settled, and as long as I do, then I think he has a massive chance.
“He’s probably surprised us every time he’s got to the track, but I was only ever going to ride him in this once he was declared.”
Selma to Triumph?
Townend starts the final day of the Festival with a leading contender in the Triumph Hurdle, Selma De Vary.
She created a nice impression behind the now-absent Narciso Has and Townend thinks she will run well, but he does sound caution about how his mount handles the preliminaries.
“I’d probably just advise having a look at how she handles the preliminaries before getting involved, but if we get down to start quietly enough, then she can run a huge race,” said Townend.
“She showed a huge amount of promise on her first start for us at Leopardstown behind Narciso Has, and should have improved plenty for that.
“Her work has been good, and I believe she’s travelled over well, so everything is positive with regards to her at the moment.”
Karbau to add his name to an illustrious roll call?
Townend takes his only handicap ride of the week in the County Hurdle, a race that has been fruitful for Willie Mullins in recent years.
Townend believes his mount has a very good chance and puts him in the same bracket as many talented previous winners.
“It was a tough decision between him [Karbau] and Murcia, but his work at home just particularly caught my eye,” said Townend.
“if we get the rain that’s forecast, then he might be happier on that sort of ground than the mare.
“I’d be a bit embarrassed if I’d have got beaten on any of them!”
Spindleberry vs Dinoblue
Townend takes the ride on Spindleberry in a competitive Mares’ Chase.
He retains faith in his mount but is concerned about stablemate and reigning champion, Dinoblue.
“I suspect Spindleberry will be much happier back against her own sex after disappointing in the Irish Gold Cup last time,” said Townend.
“Dinoblue is rock solid, and she just does what she does, but if she was on an off day, then hopefully this mare could be there to pick up the pieces.
“I’m hoping Spindleberry will give Dinoblue something to think about, but I do think the favourite will be a tough nut to crack.”
You can read more about Paul Townend’s thoughts on his five rides on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival and more of his thoughts on the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in his Betway insider blog.
READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival 2026: Home By The Lee digs deep for Stayers’ Hurdle success
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