With the 2021 Cheltenham Festival just around the corner, excitement is building among the horse racing community for one of the biggest meetings of the year. Of course, this year’s Festival won’t quite be the same, given the likely absence of spectators due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But that does not mean the event won’t be entertaining – far from it – as a whole host of talented horses, jockeys and trainers converge on Prestbury Park in search of glory.
It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since the last Cheltenham Festival, which was really one of the last large-scale sporting events to host spectators before the pandemic led to a shutdown in most sports. But while circumstances may be different this year, Cheltenham still has the power to produce drama and entertainment for the masses of horse racing fans who will be eagerly examining the Cheltenham odds from Betfair Exchange.
There was plenty of drama last year, that’s for sure, as Al Boum Photo claimed his second successive Gold Cup triumph, Willie Mullins clinched the leading trainer accolade, and the likes of Paul Townend and Barry Geraghty shone in the saddle. Read on, as we look back at five big winners from the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
Willie Mullins
It was a Festival to remember for Mullins last year, as his seven winners gave him the honour of being the meeting’s top trainer, just pipping Gordon Elliott by virtue of a superior number of placings. The Irishman endured a slow start to proceedings, but gradually Mullins began to record more winners, culminating in a sensational Gold Cup Day which saw the trainer win four races, including the Gold Cup itself with Al Boum Photo.
Paul Townend
Mullins success towards the latter end of last year’s Festival was mirrored by the fine performances of one of his favoured jockeys, Townend. The 30-year-old finished the Festival as the leading jockey, having ridden five winners in total over the course of the meeting. Things had been relatively slow for Townend until he burst into life on the final day, winning three races including that memorable Gold Cup triumph.
Barry Geraghty
Another jockey who enjoyed a fine time of it at last year’s Cheltenham Festival was Geraghty. With five winners in total, Geraghty brought success for trainers Elliott and Nicky Henderson. Victory in the Champion Hurdle on board Epatante was undoubtedly the most memorable win of 2020 for the Irishman. Since Cheltenham last year, Geraghty has announced his retirement as a jockey, and it’s fitting that he went out with such a stellar showing at the Festival.
Gordon Elliott
It had looked as though Elliott had the top trainer accolade in the bag ahead of Gold Cup Day last year, but Mullins’ sensational success on the final day of the Festival meant Elliott just missed out. But that did not detract from a memorable four days, as a total of seven horses from Elliott’s stable crossed the line in first place.
Al Boum Photo
In a hugely competitive Gold Cup last year, Al Boum Photo proved that he is still the horse to beat as he held off the challenge of Santini to win the race by a neck. In doing so, he emulated Best Mate by winning two Gold Cups on the spin, and the goal in 2021 will be to go one better by equalling Best Mate’s achievement of three successive Gold Cup wins. If the Cheltenham tips 2021 are anything to go by, Al Boum Photo will take some stopping.