The countdown to the Cheltenham Festival is almost complete and, once again, the Irish point-to-point scene will be well represented on jump racing’s biggest stage.
Many of the horses set to line up at Prestbury Park first learned their craft between the flags, highlighting the vital role point-to-pointing continues to play in producing future stars.
We put a few quick-fire Cheltenham questions to a selection of handlers, jockeys, commentators and reporters from the point-to-point scene.
Mick Goff – Handler
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham?
Jango Baie. He was a very talented horse when we had him. I actually went to France and bought his half-brother before he even ran in the point because I thought he was that good. He was a beautiful horse with a huge engine and he’d give you every ounce in his body. He’s a very special horse, probably the best horse I’ve ever trained.
Which horse running at Cheltenham would you most like to have in your yard?
Jango Baie. I really think he can win the Gold Cup.
Will you be going to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
I’ll be going over. We’ve had a few horses go through the yard running there which gives you a great buzz. Hurricane Pat is in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, Jordan’s Cross runs in the Grade 2 Handicap Chase and Daily Present is in the Kim Muir. It’s amazing seeing horses that have gone through the yard getting their chance at Cheltenham.
What’s your banker for the week?
Jango Baie.
Pat Doyle – Handler
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham?
Fact To File looks like he’s running in the Ryanair and he’d be one I’d be looking forward to seeing. I also sold Bob Olinger and he’s due to run in the Stayers’ Hurdle, so I’d be hoping he runs a big race as well. Nick Rockett is entered in the Gold Cup too, so hopefully he might take his chance.
Which horse running at Cheltenham would you most like to have in your yard?
If I could get Galopin Des Champs to go point-to-pointing next year it would be brilliant to have him in the yard!
Will you be going to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
I’ll be going over on Wednesday morning and staying for Wednesday and Thursday because of the sale. I have two four-year-olds going to the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale — Seanchai who won in Lisronagh on Saturday, and Monzon Sport, who won at Borris House on Sunday. To be honest, I’d love to be able to put the feet up, and watch from the sofa at home.
What’s your banker for the week?
Either Majborough or Fact To File.
Pat Turley – Handler
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham?
It would have to be The Mourne Rambler in the Champion Bumper. I trained him when he finished second at Portrush, just narrowly beaten, before winning his bumper at Leopardstown over Christmas. I think he’ll run well. Another ex-inmate of mine that holds a few entries is Handstands.
Which horse running at Cheltenham would you most like to have in your yard?
Galopin Des Champs – He'd surely win a few opens!
Will you be going to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
Sadly, I’ll be watching from home.
What’s your banker for the week?
Romeo Coolio
Paurick O’Connor – Handler
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham?
Vanderpoel in the Grand Annual. He won his maiden at Boulta for me. He’s a serious horse and he’ll win.
Which horse running at Cheltenham would you most like to have in your yard?
Lossiemouth
Will you be going to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
I’ll be watching from home.
What’s your banker for the week?
Lossiemouth
Noel McParlan – Jockey
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham next week?
I’m looking forward to seeing Philip McBurney’s horse that he sold to Willie Mullins run in the bumper – Love Sign D’Aunou.
If you could ride any horse in the Foxhunters this year, which one would you choose?
I’d probably pick last year’s winner, Wonderwall. The way Sam Curling’s horses are running this year, he’s probably the one to beat again.
Will you be going to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
I am travelling over on the Wednesday.
What’s your banker for the week?
Majborough.
Johnny Barry – Jockey
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham next week?
Oscars Brother in the Brown Advisory. I actually managed to get him beat in a few point-to-points! I’m friends with his trainer Connor King, he only has two horses in training and he is doing a brilliant job. It will be great if Oscars Brother can come up the hill in front.
If you could ride any horse in the Foxhunters this year, which one would you choose?
I would go with last year’s winner Wonderwall. We haven’t seen much of him this year, but he won nicely in Dromahane and he’d be primed for the day – Sam Curling’s horses are in great order and I think he is the one they all have to beat.
Will you be going to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
I’m heading over on the Thursday as I’m riding in the Kim Muir.
What’s your banker for the week?
Kopek Des Bordes in the Arkle.
Emily Costello – Jockey
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham next week?
Hopefully Keep Him Company in the bumper. He won a point-to-point for my uncle John last year.
If you could ride any horse in the Foxhunters this year, which one would you choose?
Panda Boy – he looks like a great spin and has won two hunter chases, so should have a good chance.
Will you be going to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
I’ll be watching from home.
What’s your banker for the week?
Fact To File in the Ryanair
Eoin Mahon – Jockey
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham next week?
Downmexicoway, Tuesday in the plate. I won a four-year-old maiden at Bellharbour on him and I think he has a big chance.
If you could ride any horse in the Foxhunters this year, which one would you choose?
Wonderwall – The drying ground will suit him and Sam Curling seems very happy with him.
Will you be going to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
Unfortunately, I won’t be going this year, but I’ll be watching it every day.
What’s your banker for the week?
Bambino Fever in the mares’ novice hurdle.
Ger Hannon – Commentator & Tattersalls Bloodstock Rep
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham next week?
El Cairos in the Supreme. He was only bought a couple of months ago in the Tattersalls Cheltenham David Maxwell Dispersal Sale and to hear the way Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy speak about him is very exciting. His Leopardstown run over Christmas looked very promising and I hope he can win.
Which race at Cheltenham would you most like to commentate on?
The Gold Cup is the one. It is the blue riband of our sport and this year’s renewal is wide open with lots of ex-pointers running in it. There could easily be four in a line jumping the last.
If you could choose any horse running next week to own, what would you pick?
Fact To File – He’s an absolutely stunning horse. I called him home in this five-year-old maiden at Bellharbour and I always thought he would go to the very top. I’d love if he was supplemented for the Gold Cup, but he will win another Ryanair!
Will you be going to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
I’m one of the very fortunate people that gets to say I’m working in Cheltenham, as we have our Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale after racing on Thursday. It’s always a great week and hopefully there will be great results both on the track and in the sales ring.
What’s your banker for the week?
I’m quite friendly with the owners of Bambino Fever. I was there with them last year when she won the bumper. The form of that race is really working out and I think she will take plenty of beating.
Cian Cassidy – Commentator
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham next week?
An unusual one here, but I’m looking forward to watching The Mourne Rambler in the bumper. He was very good at Leopardstown and it’s worth remembering that he only made his debut in October at Portrush when he finished a close second.
Which race at Cheltenham would you most like to commentate on?
The Hunters’ Chase without a doubt. I’m lucky enough to have called a good few of the Irish entries between the flags and to call them up the hill in the biggest hunter chase of them all would be very special.
If you could choose any horse running next week to own, what would you pick?
Envoi Allen – he has been some servant to connections. It’s hard to see him winning the Gold Cup, but no doubt he will give a good account of himself as always.
Will you be going to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
Unfortunately not, it’s the TV for me.
What’s your banker for the week?
Final Demand.
Neil O’Donnell – Reporter
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham?
Bob Olinger – he keeps coming back almost year after year and has a terrific record at Cheltenham. He seems as good as ever this season as an 11-year-old.
What is your favourite race at the Festival?
The Queen Mother Champion Chase. The speed they go, there is no room for even the semblance of an error.
If you could own any horse running at Cheltenham, which would you choose?
Bambino Fever – she was an outstanding bumper performer and she just could prove to be every bit as good over hurdles.
Will you be heading to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
I will be watching from home.
What’s your banker for the week?
Sam Curling is having a phenomenal season in points. A likely banker is his Wonderwall in the Foxhunters.
Donal Murphy – Reporter
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham next week?
I was very much taken by the performance of The Jukebox Kid when he won for Cormac Doyle at Tinahely in February of 2024. Winning three times from four starts this season, he could prove tailormade for the National Hunt Chase.
I also must give a mention to Echoing Silence (Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle). While I wasn't on duty when she won for Sam Curling at Ballycahane, I just really like the way she has gone about things this season and she could develop into something very special.
What is your favourite race at the Festival?
Not a very original choice, but the Gold Cup is undoubtedly the highlight of the week for me. The stamina sapping trip really separates the men from the boys and it's always a great spectacle, with the roll of honour littered with household names.
If you could own any horse running at Cheltenham, which would you choose?
I do think Final Demand will bounce back from his Dublin Racing Festival blip and show his true colours in the Brown Advisory, with the Gold Cup of 2027 then firmly on his agenda. I was in attendance when he won at Lingstown in March of 2024 and his star quality was very much evident from way back then.
Will you be heading to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
The hustle and bustle doesn't appeal to me. The coverage on Racing TV and ITV is excellent, so I'll be tuning in from the comfort of my living room.
What’s your banker for the week?
I really like Panic Attack in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase. She has been utterly faultless this season and finally appears to be fulfilling the promise she showed from an early age. While she'll be up against younger rivals and a formidable team from the Willie Mullins yard, she might just have their measure.
Robyn McCluskey – Reporter
Which former Irish point-to-pointer are you most looking forward to seeing run at Cheltenham?
El Cairos. He won his point at Curraghmore for Jim O’Neill back in April 2024 and looked a very smart prospect that day. He looks to possess a serious turn-of-foot. I thought he was unlucky to come down at Christmas and just rather clumsy at Thurles as he had no challenge. I’d expect him to be a bit more switched on at the last with a bigger task at hand.
What is your favourite race at the Festival?
Obviously all the championship races are great and there’s so much build up to them throughout the year, but I always enjoy the Hunters’ Chase. It’s a brilliant race for the point-to-point scene and it’s great to see horses that you’ve followed through the season in their preparations lining-up there. It was especially good to see an Irish winner like Wonderwall last year. It also gives the smaller yards a chance on the big stage. I don’t think anyone will forget the heartbreak for the David Christie yard in the 2022 running when Winged Leader got pipped on the line by Billaway.
If you could own any horse running at Cheltenham, which would you choose?
Romeo Coolio – He won his point-to-point in Belclare back in 2023 for Donnchadh Doyle. I think even if he’s not suited by the conditions this year, he’s going to be a very exciting chaser for the future! He’s a beautiful animal and phenomenal to watch over a fence, I think he could be a potential Gold Cup horse of the future.
Will you be heading to Prestbury Park or watching from home?
No, this will actually be the first year in quite a few that I won’t be attending, but I’m looking forward to watching it from afar and hopefully there’ll be plenty of point-to-point graduates on the scoreboard.
What’s your banker for the week?
Ballyfad in the Turners.
