"The first four Grade One favourites at Cheltenham next month are stabled in British yards."
"Ireland came away from last year's festival with 20 winners, its second-biggest return after the extraordinary 23-winner spree in 2021, despite Elliott drawing a blank with his first 51 runners at the meeting before Wodhooh, the 52nd and last, took the final race on Friday."
"In racing, soccer, rugby, it's the same, you've got to keep your head going, Elliott said this week. But as hard as it was for me, for all my staff who were putting in all the hours, it was harder for them. The horses didn't run badly, we just didn't get the bounce of the ball. When you look at this season, everything is bouncing right for us. That's sport. You just put those days behind you but that's what makes it better when you win."
Several leading Cheltenham contenders, including the first four Grade One favourites and multiple top Gold Cup names, are currently based in British yards. Despite that British positioning, Irish trainers and yards are mobilising confidently nationwide, from large operations to smaller stables. Ireland posted 20 winners at last year's festival, its second-best haul after 23 winners in 2021, even though Gordon Elliott failed to score with his first 51 runners until Wodhooh won the final race as his 52nd entry. Elliott's resurgence and improved form across the season signal a renewed challenge to dominant rivals like Willie Mullins.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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