UPDATED 7:12PM, APR 1 2021
Jonjo O Neill believes he has the horse to beat in Cloth Cap for next week s Randox Grand National but thinks his odds of around 7-2 are absurd in a race that is so famous for shocks and surprises.
O Neill knows all too well how bad luck can play out in Aintree s iconic steeplechase. In his riding days he competed in the race eight times and never finished, including in 1973 when he rode Ginger McCain s first string, Glenkiln, in a race famously won by stablemate and subsequent three-time winner Red Rum.
He had more luck as a trainer, winning the race in 2010 with Don t Push It, despite fielding a total of 32 runners in the event through the years.
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Good day for Irish jockeys as Put The Kettle On wins Champion Chase thriller
Trainer Henry De Bromhead celebrated in the main race while young Cork jockey Richard Condon landed the Coral Cup. By Press Association Wednesday 17 Mar 2021, 4:34 PM Wed 3:39 PM 3,467 Views 0 Comments
Aidan Coleman and Richard Condon celebrate their respective wins.
Image: PA
Image: PA
Updated Wed 4:34 PM
LAST YEAR’S ARKLE heroine Put The Kettle On beat the boys again in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
A surprise winner at the Festival 12 months ago, Henry de Bromhead’s mare won out again with Aidan Coleman on board.
Irish count their blessings at Cheltenham on St Patrick s Day
Issued on:
17/03/2021 - 19:20 Put The Kettle On (left) won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham Michael Steele POOL/AFP 3 min
Cheltenham (United Kingdom) (AFP)
Tiger Roll and Put The Kettle On were the stars of the show as the Irish took the Cheltenham Festival by storm on St Patrick s day, winning six of the seven races.
Put The Kettle On showed great courage to win the feature race, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and give trainer Henry de Bromhead his second major win in two days victory in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday.
Chacun Pour Soi should give Mullins full-house with Champion Chase win Greg Wood
Nine horses have set off at odds-on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase this century and six have been beaten, including two – Douvan (at 2-9) and Un De Sceaux (4-6) – trained by Willie Mullins in one of the few races at the Festival he has yet to win. It is difficult to imagine that record extending beyond Wednesday, however, as a repeat of Chacun Pour Soi’s form in either of his recent wins at Leopardstown should be more than enough.
The favourite’s previous lack of experience at Cheltenham is the only real concern, though First Flow and Politologue could ask a few questions with a strong gallop.