If you are a big fan of horse racing, we are likely to be approaching your favourite time of the year, as the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National are on the horizon. With the former being just 45 minutes away from Swindon, it is just a short drive to the former to Prestbury Park for the four-day meeting.
Here is a look at three horses who will be running at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and then featuring in the world’s most famous steeplechase a month later at Aintree in Liverpool.
The Big Breakaway
Trained by Joe Tizzard, The Big Breakaway has already shown this season that he can prove competitive in the big staying races. He was second in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow during the Festive period.
The Big Breakaway ?? pic.twitter.com/R3JwjqCzCz
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 15, 2020
The eight-year-old is entered in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival where he is 22/1 in the Cheltenham day 1 antepost betting for the meeting. He will then head to Aintree where he will be his trainer’s sole entry in the 4m2½f race.
The Tizzard family has won some of the biggest races in the sport, including the Gold Cup in 2016, but should they win the Grand National, it is likely to be their greatest success in the sport.
Noble Yeats
Grand National winner Noble Yeats is set to return to Liverpool in April where he will be looking to replicate what Tiger Roll achieved in 2019 by winning the race in back-to-back years. Since that victory, he has climbed the official ratings in the 3m+ chase division to a mark of 166.
Emmet Mullins’ runner has an entry in the Cheltenham Gold Cup this year. He has shown this season he can mix it with the best chasers in the UK and Ireland, as he was victorious in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree, and he also went close in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.
The task at Aintree will be much tougher for Noble Yeats this year as he will have 15lb more weight on his back in the 40-runner contest. The Irish horse has often upset the odds throughout his career, and his connections will be hoping he can do it again in the final stages of the 2022/23 season.
Gaillard Du Mesnil
Given the success he has had throughout his career, all eyes will be on Irish trainer Willie Mullins at Cheltenham and Aintree each year. He has had more winners at the Cheltenham Festival than any other trainer in history, while he was also successful in the Grand National in 2005 with Hedgehunter.
Strong ante-post favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil is one of 11 entries for Willie Mullins the National Hunt Chase
The 37 total entries also include Chemical Energy and Gerri Colombe, but Thyme Hill and Ballygrifincottage are not entered pic.twitter.com/LlOqISAXPd
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) January 17, 2023
Gaillard Du Mesnil is set to run for Mullins in the National Hunt Challenge Cup at the Festival this year. That race will be a good warm-up for the Grand National as it takes place over 3m6f.
The seven-year-old chaser has been tipped to have a big future over fences, so a lot will be expected of him at the two leading National Hunt meetings.
The 2023 Grand National is set to take place on the 15th of April at 5.15pm. If you are making the trip up north to Liverpool, you can find all you need to know about tickets, race schedule and dress code on the racecourse’s official website.
