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100/1 chance Poniros wins Triumph on hurdles debut

Winning connections celebrate with Poniros after his shock 100/1 win in the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Poniros (100/1), a hurdles debutant for Willie Mullins, landed the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle on the final day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

Owned by Tony Bloom, the son of Golden Horn previously ran on the flat for Ralph Beckett in England.

One of 11 representatives from Closutton in the 18-runner race, Poniros was only in sixth position as they approached the last hurdle in the straight.

East India Dock (5/4 favourite) took the lead into the final flight and was challenged by the Joe Donnelly-owned Lulamba, trained by Nicky Henderson.

Just as the James Owen-handled favourite looked to be heading for success, Poniros came with a strong drive from Jonjo O’Neill Jr to burst through for a neck win at the line.

Lulamba claimed the runner-up spot by three-quarters of a length from East India Dock under Sam Twiston-Davies, with Lady Vega Allen (14/1) and Paul Townend fourth, another length and three-quarters back.

The surprised winning handled, who had just trained the longest-priced winner in the history of the Triumph Hurdle, said:

“He’s by Golden Horn, who I think is going to make a very good sire over jumps. He’s the sort of horse you’re looking for. I didn’t expect that. Did Tony Bloom back him? If he did, it wasn’t on my advice! We were hoping he would run well and be a nice horse for next year, so he’s ahead of schedule.”

 

 

Galopin Des Champs, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend all on the brink of history

It's Boodles Gold Cup Day at Cheltenham.

Galopin Des Champs bids to win a third consecutive Boodles Gold Cup at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Owned by Audrey Turley, the nine-year-old son of Timos will have the assistance of Paul Townend in the saddle.

The Lisgoold rider will become the most successful jockey in Cheltenham Gold Cup history if his partner wins the day’s showpiece.

Townend currently has four wins – the same number as the legendary Pat Taaffe.

For trainer Willie Mullins, he will join Tom Dreaper as a five-time winner of steeplechasing’s  blue riband if the French-bred Closutton inmate claims a third crown.

First Cheltenham runner for 71-year old trainer Eleanor Broderick

Fermoy-based handler Eleanor Broderick, who won her first race inside the rails at Fairyhouse last November with Lisleigh Lad, will have her first runner at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Lisleigh Lad, who she bred with her partner Matt Slattery, will contest the ‘Foxhunters’ at 4.40pm. The seven-year-old son of Dansant will be ridden by Point-to-Point southern region jockey, Darragh Allen.

11 Mullins runners in Triumph Hurdle

Charlus, winner of three of his four flat races in France, will contest the opening JCB Triumph Hurdle at 1.20pm.

Costing a reputed €315,000 when purchase by The Why Knot Partnership, the gelded son of Churchill will be ridden by Seán O’Keeffe.

Willie Mullins, who has won the ‘Triumph’ four times in the past, will have a total of eleven horses in the 18-runner two  miles 179 yards race – Blue Lemons, Charlus, Larzac, Pappano, Poniros, Too Bossy For Us, Wille De Houelle, Lady Vega Allen, Lumiere Du Large, Place De La Nation and Sainte Lucie.

Which Teams Could Surprise in the Irish Premier League This Season?

In recent years, interest in the Irish Premier League has increased significantly. In a country where rugby and Gaelic sports traditionally prevail, soccer has taken a back seat, but the landscape is changing fast.

Growth in viewing figures and enhanced brand awareness are helping to develop the competition, while the strength of the Premier League is constantly improving.

A Brief History

The League of Ireland was formed in 1921, and it is the elite competition for football teams in the country. In 1985, 64 years after its inception, the Premier Division was founded to accommodate the best-performing clubs in the structure.

Ten teams currently play in the Premier Division. Over the course of a campaign, they will meet each other four times, so every club plays 36 games. At the end of that sequence, the team at the top of the table is crowned as champions. The bottom club is relegated to the second tier, while the team second from bottom faces a play off to decide their fate.

Certain clubs have traditionally been strong in the Irish Premier League. Shamrock Rovers are the most successful team with 21 titles since 1985, while defending champions Shelbourne won their 14th trophy in 2024. The live betting markets usually showShelbourne as the favourites due to their impressive form, it is them and St Patrick who are joint favourites to win the league this year, while Shamrock Rovers head the chasing pack.

They are favourites for a reason, but there are teams below them who could yet deliver a surprise.

Derry Regroup

Derry City haven’t won the League of Ireland title since 1997, but some expert pundits believe this could be the year that they end the drought. The Candystripes responded to a poor campaign last year by making changes to the dugout and the playing squad.

Manager Ruaidhri Higgins was replaced by Tiernan Lynch, and the new boss quickly entered the transfer market. No fewer than six new arrivals made their way to Derry, including senior Northern Ireland internationals Liam Boyce, Carl Winchester, Gavin Whyte and Shane Ferguson.

A new outlook offers hope, but Derry have started the season poorly, picking up just four points from their first five games. A new squad needs time to gel, and fans will be looking for the team to improve quickly.

Early Pacesetters

Following those first five games of the 2025 campaign, Drogheda United led the way at the top of the table. At that stage, they were one of only two unbeaten sides in the division, and Drogheda enjoyed a two-point lead over closest challengers, Waterford.

Drogheda’s squad for 2025 contains four players on loan from English football league clubs, each of whom will have a key role to play this season. While all four are set to feature, Drogs fans will hope Josh Thomas can deliver the goals that keep the club in contention.

A Welsh youth international on loan from Swansea City, Thomas scored his first goal for Drogheda in the impressive 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers.

Galway’s Solid Start

Along with Drogheda United, Galway United are also unbeaten after five games of the new Premier League season. The team has won once in that time, while four draws show that John Caulfield’s side is going to be tough to beat.

Early results suggest that the club may concede too many goals across the remainder of the campaign, but if that defence can tighten up, Galway may yet be one of the division’s surprise teams in 2025.

Beyond Survival?

As a newly promoted side, Cork City’s focus is on survival this season, but can they go beyond that target? They are considered as a ‘yo-yo team’ having just been promoted for the second timein three seasons, and clearly, that first aim is to avoid relegation.

Early results have largely been positive, and one defeat from four games leaves Cork in a respectable seventh place in the early table. A 2-1 victory over Bohemians was the highlight of those opening exchanges.

Cork have some impressive players in their squad, and if they are going to move up the table, much will depend on the goal-scoring exploits of Sean Maguire. A Republic of Ireland international, Maguire previously spent two productive seasons at Cork, scoring twenty goals in twenty-one games in 2017.

He subsequently moved across the Irish Sea to join Preston North End, but he’s now back at Turners Cross. Sean Maguire has the potential to become the most potent striker in the Irish Premier League, and if he can maintain those scoring levels, Cork may yet become this year’s surprise package.

Clearly, there is a long way to go in the new Irish Premier League season, but those early games have given us a taste of what to expect. The favourites to win the title have seen solid starts, but there is an unlikely early leader in the shape of Drogheda United.

Can the Drogs maintain that form and deliver a surprise title win, or will other unlikely teams move forward to produce a shock in Ireland’s elite league?

A first ride in Britain is a Cheltenham Festival winner for Barry Stone

Daily Present, a first ride in Britain for Barry Stone, is a Cheltenham winner. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

It was fitting that Ireland should have four winners on St Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham, with the final winner coming via Daily Present (12/1) and Barry Stone-Walsh in the Fulke  Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase.

It was a first Cheltenham Festival winner for the twenty-five year old amateur jockey on what was his first ever ride in Britain.

The Paul Nolan-trained winner had a neck to spare over the well-backed 9/2 favourite Johnnywho in the colours of J.P. McManus.

Wexford handler Nolan said:

“He is a stayer, but he was too free in the race last year. The ride that chap gave him was great as he never left the inside. He just had to try and keep on filling him. He was brilliant on him.

“I definitely thought Johnnywho was coming back, but I knew my lad would stay, however when I saw Derek (O’Connor) rallying I thought we were done.”

The winning handler was high in his praise of Stone-Walsh, saying:

“That was the lad’s first ride in England. He is a super rider that is loaded with talent, and what a pair of hands he has. I just thought he was super on him. He never put him into the race until he had to, but I was sure he was going to be second.”

 

“It is magical stuff”

The winning jockey, a brother of professional jockey Conor Stone-Walsh described the feeling of having his first Cheltenham winner:

“It is magical stuff and I’ve been dreaming of it for years growing up. Nothing will top this now I will say. It was all smooth sailing. It just got a little rough on the turn in, but he had plenty left and I was able to get him back going again.

“I never thought it would be like this, but when you get a ride on a horse with a chance you have to take it all in.”

€740,000 purchase Caldwell Potter brings Paul Nicholls his 50th Cheltenham Festival winner

€740,000 purchase Caldwell Potter brought Paul Nicholls to 50 Cheltenham Festival winners. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Caldwell Potter (7/11) became the 50th winner at the Cheltenham Festival for 14-times British champion Jump trainer Paul Nicholls when he made virtually all to land the newly introduced Grade Two Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase by six and a half lengths.

A then record €740,000 purchase in February 2024, the seven-year-old grey was racing in famous colours of the late John Hales, who owned the horse in partnership with Ged Mason and Alex Ferguson among others.

Speaking about the very positive ride jockey Harry Cobden gave the eventual winner, Nicholls said:

“We always had a positive plan; he jumps brilliantly. Everyone was telling me what to do and what not to do, trip-wise, and I felt he wanted a trip. I think he’d gallop forever, and it’s just good to get him back.

“Harry is good in front. He’s such a brilliant jumper and such a genuine horse, and he’s better than a handicapper, and he’d got to a nice low mark. He’s hasn’t run at all badly this season – the Cheltenham run here before turned out to be good, it’s just that he had such a big price tag, he’s had to put up with that, and you get plenty of stick.”

Discussing his achievement in reaching 50 Cheltenham Festival winners, the Ditcheat handler admitted:

“I never thought I’d train 50 Festival winners when I started. It’s fantastic – any winner here is fantastic, and if you get a winner here, anything on top of that is a bonus. It hasn’t been the best season for us; I do not know why, some of the horses have been wrong, and some and right, and the ones which are right run well.”

Robcour 1-2 in Stayers’ Hurdle as Bob Olinger beats Teahupoo

Bob Olinger remains unbeaten at Cheltenham as he brings up doubles for Rachael Blackmore, Henry de Bromhead and owners Robcour. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Bob Olinger (8/1) led home a Brian Acheson’s Robcour a 1-2 in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, when holding off reigning champion Teahupoo (7/4f).

Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead, who struck in the first race of the day, doubled their tally for this week this success a few hours later.

Knockeen trainer de Bromhead stated:

“We’d said if you’re going to get beaten, get beaten for coming too late. She [Rachael] gave him a super ride. Delighted for the horse, he’s an incredible horse, he had such a reputation a few years ago, things didn’t work out as well as we thought, but to see him come back and do that is amazing. Delighted for everyone involved, especially David Roche, my assistant at home, who would take a bullet for this horse. He adores him”

This afternoon’s win is a third Grade 1 victory for Bob Olinger as the 10-year-old maintains his unbeaten record at Cheltenham. He previously won the 2021 Turners Novices’ Hurdle and the Turners’ Novices’ Chase in 2022 at The Festival.

A delighted winning jockey Rachael Blackmore spoke of being in such a lucky position:

“I’m very lucky to get on these horses. He was brilliant. He has so much speed and was able to use it there today. We went a good gallop and he was still able to pick up off the back of it.

“We were all going out there… Everyone had the same plan from his team. It either works riding like that, or it doesn’t. When everyone is committed to it, it makes it easy. He’s unbeaten around here. I know one day it was a fortuitous win, but he’s got luck on his side around here. He’s a very, very good horse.”

Fact To File is all class in Ryanair performance

Fact To File puts up a classy performance to win the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase under Mark Walsh. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Fact To File (6/4f) lived up to the hype with an emphatic success in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, who had finished behind dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs in his last two races, produced a magnificent performance in winning by nine lengths from Heart Wood (18/1) and Darragh O’Keeffe.

“The manner of the way in which he won was a bit of a surprise, but I felt coming here he’d win it,” Willie Mullins admitted post-race. 

Last season’s Brown Advisory winner was an 81st Cheltenham Festival success for J.P. McManus, and a 12th for the winning rider, Mark Walsh.

“I do agree that he might have been the horse to give Galopin Des Champs a battle tomorrow in the Gold Cup and he was in it, but felt it was better to bide our options,” Mullins explained.

The Closutton master continued:

“He’ll probably be a Gold Cup horse next year. He’ll be a year older and we felt that at this stage a hard race in the Gold Cup, if the ground turned up soft… It’s not like that, but that was the way I was thinking all season. JP [McManus] didn’t want him to have a very hard race in the Gold Cup this year – sometimes that can ruin a horse’s career. So next year – I’m not going to say any more about two-year plans after Lossiemouth, but another year might be right. I think that’s what we’re looking at.”

Fact To File finished the 2 miles five furlongs race out so well, Mark Walsh informed:

“I was struggling to pull him up! Even coming up by the junction of the track here, he heard all the crowd on my left shouting, and he started pricking his ears and ducking away from them, so there’s loads left.”

The Evolution of Gaelic Football: What’s Next for Ireland?

Gaelic football is frequently viewed as Ireland’s most cherished pastime and has undergone a pretty significant makeover lately.

Gaelic football emerged from the beginnings of 19th century Ireland, becoming a highly specialized sport that mesmerizes millions of fans worldwide. Looking back on a rich history becomes vital in determining where the sport is headed now amidst sweeping changes.

The Professionalisation of Gaelic Football and the Role of Technology

Gaelic football has largely evolved into a semi-professional sport nowadays, gradually shedding its amateur roots. Dramatic changes occur in player preparation due to structured coaching systems, advanced training methodologies, and sports science. Teams nowadays possess superior physicality and mental toughness, enabling them to perform admirably at extremely high levels. Irish national pride now heavily incorporates this sport’s steadily expanding fanbase, becoming deeply ingrained emotionally.

Technology has also played a significant role in the evolution of Gaelic football. Digital platforms have brought the sport closer to a global audience, and broadcasting technologies like HD and 4K cameras allow viewers to experience matches in high definition, enhancing the fan experience. Additionally, the rise of online sports betting has created new ways for fans to engage with the sport. Platforms like 1xbet legal site offer secure and regulated avenues for sports enthusiasts to place wagers. As sports betting becomes more mainstream, the integrity of the game has become a focal point, with regulations in place to maintain fairness.

Key Technological Advancements in Gaelic Football:

● High-definition broadcasting (HD & 4K cameras)
● Digital fan engagement through social media and streaming platforms
● Wearable fitness trackers for performance analysis
● Video assistant referee (VAR) systems for better decision-making

The Origins and Early Development

Gaelic football originated in the early nineteenth century from various native Irish sports that suddenly merged elements of traditional football and rugby. Gaelic football surged forward rapidly during the late 19th century following the establishment of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884. The GAA vigorously promotes Irish culture through the preservation of traditional sports like Gaelic football, which becomes deeply rooted in Irish heritage. Years of refinement led modern Gaelic football down a winding path so intricately that it barely resembles its archaic forebear anymore suddenly.

Initially, this sport, played mostly by amateurs, had a strong emphasis on community involvement in local areas through volunteerism. Rural landscapes nurtured Gaelic football in local clubs, with makeshift matches unfolding beneath vast skies. Sports have gained massive popularity, and the intensity of competition has increased dramatically amidst fiercely rival teams. Gaelic football evolved pretty fast into a wildly popular spectator sport amidst rising urbanization amidst fairly extensive media coverage.

The Rise of Elite Teams and Greater Competition

The professionalization of Gaelic football has propelled competition forward rapidly, reaching unprecedented levels of intensity and skill. The country’s teams have become pretty complex operations, with fairly extensive resources poured into recruitment and specialized match prep. Teams like Dublin Kerry Mayo have utterly dominated the landscape in recent years, fostering fierce rivalries that fueled the sport’s rapid development. Other countries rapidly upgrade their facilities beneath shadowy circumstances, leading to fairly intense competition and seriously thrilling matches.

Talent levels have increased significantly nowadays. Modern players possess a plethora of skills beyond traditional football techniques, including tactical play, agility, and endurance. Modern training regimens incorporate robust nutrition plans alongside rigorous mental prep strategies daily. Gaelic football matches have become fast-paced and brutally physically demanding, pushing players utterly beyond their limits.

The Future: What’s Next for Gaelic Football?

Gaelic football originated in humble circumstances, but its development proceeds rapidly beyond initial expectations, slowly but certainly onwards. Gaelic football will soon flourish globally amidst emerging technologies and newfound popularity. Sport’s biggest hurdle is adapting modernly without losing its deeply ingrained cultural heritage.

 

 

Air Of Entitlement strikes for Blackmore and de Bromhead in Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

Robcour's Air Of Entitlement gives Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead a first winner at this year's festival. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Air Of Entitlement (16/1) got Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead on the scoreboard at this year’s Cheltenham in the opening Grade 2 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

In the Robcour colours, the six-year-old daughter of Westerner came to battle and ultimately deny Gavin Cromwell’s Sixandahalf (85/40f) by a half-length at the winning post.

Diva Luna (12/1) from the Ben Pauling yard and ridden by Ben Jones was third home, a further six lengths behind the runner-up.

Discussing his first winner of the 2025 Festival, the successful Waterford handler Henry de Bromhead said:

“We knew we had the stamina and the New Course suits horses with that. We always worry about being too handy in that race, but Rachael was spot on.

“I thought they went a real good gallop and she gave her some spin. It was a little bit like Telmesomethinggirl a few years ago.

“We weren’t as far back as we normally are, but she stayed on really well. I thought when we winged the last we had a chance.”

It was a 17th Cheltenham Festival victory for Rachael Blackmore, who admitted:

“It’s a magical place to be up here. It’s brilliant, she did it really well, she came through the race lovely. I want to dedicate this to my cousin, Robert Blackmore, who passed away at the weekend, his funeral is today, so I want to dedicate this to him.”

St Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham

It’s St Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham, day three of the 2025 Festival.

It will be another busy day, and likely successful, for the Cheltenham Festival’s leading owner J.P. McManus.

The Limerick man will have strong chances with Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase (3.20pm) and The Wallpark and Mystical Power [that he owns in partnership with Rich Ricci and John Magnier] in the Stayers’ Hurdle (4.00pm) – the two main races of Thursday’s meeting.

The former will face a healthy challenge from Il Est Francais, who won impressively at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day 2024, as well as former Ryanair Chase winners Envoi Alllen for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead, and Protektorat representing the Harry and Dan Skelton team.

The J.P. McManus team this afternoon will be backed up by Jeriko Du Reponet in the Pertemps at 2.40pm; Jagwar in the Plate at 4.40pm and Johnnywho in the final race of the day, the Kim Muir Chase at 5.20pm.

Maughreen

The unbeaten Maughreen, out of Molly’s Mate, a half-sister to dual Cheltenham Festival winner Faugheen, puts her reputation on the line in the opening Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Owned by Closutton Racing Club, the six-year-old Walk In The Park mare, is trained by Willie Mullins and will have the assistance of his son, Patrick, from the saddle.

O’Brien and Shinnick bid for success

Answer To Kayf, fourth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last year, will represent County Cork trainer Terence O’Brien in the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at 2.00pm.

The nine-year-old, a winner at Naas on his last appearance will bid to give Glanworth, Co Cork jockey Johnny Shinnick a first Cheltenham Festival success.

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