The Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup are the two most prestigious National Hunt races in the world in horse racing.
Every jockey, trainer, and owner dreams of winning at least one of them in their career.
History Makers
Last year’s Grand National winner Noble Yeats is bidding to become just one of three horses to have completed the big race double.
Golden Miller was the first to do so in 1934, while in 1975, L’Escargot matched that feat. If Noble Yeats were to win the Gold Cup this year, he will be the first to complete the double in that order.
Noble Yeats is priced at 8.00 to add his name to history this season, for those looking to place a bet on Cheltenham Festival 2023.
It would be an extraordinary training performance from Emmet Mullins, while it would be a second victory in the Gold Cup for owner Robert Waley-Cohen, as he had success in the race with Long Run in 2011.
In the Gold Cup antepost betting, Galopin Des Champs is the 2.38 favorite for Irish Champion Trainer Willie Mullins. He is the horse Noble Yeats, and the rest of the field, will need to beat at Cheltenham to land the trophy.
Solid Form This Season
The Aintree hero from 2022 has shown some of the best form of any of the 3m chasers this season in the UK and Ireland.
His first victory of the 2022/23 campaign came at Wexford where he prevailed in a Listed race, showing his versatility to score over a 2m7f trip.
Noble Yeats went back up in distance for the Grade Two Many Clouds Chase at Aintree back in December. He beat a field that included Ahoy Senor, Sounds Russian, and Chantry House. That was his first victory at Grade Two level or higher.
The eight-year-old was beaten on his latest appearance in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, but it was another respectable performance, as he finished a close third behind Ahoy Senor and Sounds Russian respectively in the event.
Grand National Defense in April
Regardless of the result of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Noble Yeats is set to appear in the 2023 Grand National in April, where he will be the defending champion.
Last year’s winner is set to have more weight on his back this time, as he bids to become just the third horse to win back-to-back renewals in the last 50 years.
In his first appearance around the Grand National course in 2022, Noble Yeats appeared to enjoy the bigger obstacles on the course.
He also proved the 4m2½f distance was not a problem for him, as his stamina held up well.
Challengers to the Irish horse this year include the 2022 runner-up Any Second Now, Ultima Handicap Chase winner Corach Rambler and Becher Handicap Chase winner Ashtown Lad who won over the Grand National fences earlier in the campaign.
This year’s Grand National will take place on April 15, slightly later than its usual early April slot on the calendar. It will be the 175th running of the world’s most famous steeplechase.
