Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

ONE runner equated to one winner at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival for up-and-coming trainer Cian Collins, who prepared Jazzy Matty to perfection to land the Grand Annual on an afternoon overflowing with poignancy surrounding the passing of Michael O’Sullivan.

It was one of the most remarkable instances you’ll ever see at Prestbury Park to have Michael’s two Cheltenham Festival winners win in back-to-back races at the meeting just 24 days on from his passing. Neither Marine Nationale nor Jazzy Matty had won a graded race since their day-one victories under the much-missed rider here in 2023.

Danny Gilligan, notching his second Festival win, was at his best on the 15/2 shot, who managed to draw a length and a half clear of last year’s winner Unexpected Party - the only British-trained runner to figure in the first six. Midnight It Is and My Mate Mozzie (both trained by Gavin Cromwell) managed to finish third and fourth, ahead of Jasko Des Dames (Henry de Bromhead) and Conyers Hill (Paul Nolan).

“It’s unbelievable - we were very hopeful coming here today, but it’s Cheltenham and we needed a lot of luck on our side,” said Collins, after notching his first Festival success.

“We had that luck. Things like this - Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty winning - doesn’t happen often. This is for Michael.

“This horse has gone from strength to strength since we got him. He really enjoys the way we train, and it’s unbelievable to have gone this today. It’s been a long couple of weeks before today - we only had one horse coming over and a lot of time and effort has gone into him.

“Everyone at home in the yard - we’ve a great team and to get this is unbelievable. To win on the big stage means so much and hopefully showcases that we can get one ready for the big day as well.”

Gilligan, sporting the Top Man Syndicate colours, added: “It went very smooth, never missed a beat the whole way round there. I’m sure everyone knows there’s someone very special looking down on us today. That’s for Michael.”

Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase

THE Glenfarclas Cross Country has changed back to handicap this year but nothing has changed about the rider tending to dominate the race. Keith Donoghue became the contest’s most successful rider in history on five wins thanks to a peach of an effort on Stumptown, who defied topweight for Gavin Cromwell and the Furze Bush Syndicate.

There was drama early in the stamina-testing event when Cromwell’s other contender, Vanillier, appeared to be heading the wrong way briefly under Sean Flanagan. In fact, the grey ran quite the race to get up for third considering the ground and momentum he forfeited at the time.

This wasn’t always an easy watch for Stumptown’s supporters at 5/2 favourite either. He looked in trouble on a couple of occasions and hit 18/1 in the in-running markets, but he was never stronger than at the death, drawing seven lengths clear of Latenightpass.

“I was very concerned for a while but he has ended up running out a good winner in the end,” said Cromwell.

“I don’t think Keith thought he was at his best either, but we will take it anyway. I don’t have an explanation [as to why he didn’t travel] as well today, but we got away with it and he won. The cheekpieces just helped him at the finish, but he has thrived over these fences.

“Keith is definitely worth a few pounds around here. He is an ultra professional and there is no stone unturned with him. Stumptown is in the Grand National and we will aim him at it, but it is coming soon enough.

“All being well he will go there.

“Vanillier went wide early on and that definitely didn’t help his cause.

“He lost a lot of ground as he jumped the fence making the running and came out of it with only one or two behind him.

“He is in the Grand National as well and I think he should get in and the plan is to go there with him.”

Galvin was found to be lame after pulling up and Gordon Elliott reported on Thursday morning: “Thank God he’s gone home.

“We got him x-rayed after the race and everything was okay. The vets were happy to let him travel.”

Coral Cup

THERE is no one quite like Willie Mullins when it comes to defying a layoff at the Cheltenham Festival, and Jimmy Du Seuil capped a gem of a training performance from the Closutton colossus to capture the Coral Cup after a 313-absence.

Danny Mullins got a smooth run around on Edward Ware’s second-season hurdler, who ran the race of his life when second to Ballyburn over the same course and distance in last year’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle. He never got fully serious with the 146-rated hurdler until after the last, drawing clear to score by three lengths.

The market suggested that British trainers might hold the upper hand here, with Be Aware sent off the 3/1 favourite for Dan Skelton (travelled strongly before fading to eighth), while Nicky Henderson’s Impose Toi posted a big showing at 13/2 to give the winner most to think about in second.

Irish runners took home a sizeable chunk of the prize money, however, as Ballyadam (Henry de Bromhead) finished an admirable third, Colonel Mustard (Lorna Fowler) ran a cracker in fifth, Beckett Rock (Henry de Bromhead) claimed sixth and Beacon Edge (Gordon Elliott) finished seventh.

“The credit goes to Willie Mullins; coming here with no run this season, prepared for a handicap like that, no run in a handicap… it’s just great to be a part of that team,” said the winning rider, after partnering his third Festival winner.

“It was unbelievable. The snow this morning was what I thought would help his chances.

“It was quite testing ground here last year. In fairness to him, the last furlong was always going to be that difficult furlong, but he hit the line very strong. That’s a great performance, he’s a good little pony!

“This is the place we all want to come every year. I’ve been lucky enough to ride winners here before, but you don’t take any of them for granted – any time you get to the top of the hill in front, that’s a special feeling.”