UK & IRISH RACING

🏆 “I’d Love to Ride Him in the Gold Cup” – Patrick Mullins Makes His Case
Cheltenham Festival 2026 | Mullins Camp Insight & Talking Horses

Patrick Mullins has lifted the lid on one of the most fascinating decisions ahead of this year’s Cheltenham Festival — and it centres around one horse he dreams of partnering in the sport’s ultimate test 🏇✨.

💚 Gaelic Warrior: The Gold Cup Dream

Fresh off a season that once again confirmed his top-class ability, Gaelic Warrior has emerged as the horse Patrick Mullins would most love to ride in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Patrick knows the horse well:

🏆 Aintree Bowl winner (ridden by Patrick himself)

🥈 Runner-up in the Irish Gold Cup, behind stablemate Fact To File

🔥 Close third in the King George VI Chase at Kempton

Despite Willie Mullins holding a stacked Gold Cup hand — with Fact To File, dual hero Galopin Des Champs, and others — Patrick believes Gaelic Warrior could be perfectly suited to Cheltenham’s unique test.

“My vote would put him in the race… I don’t know how important my vote is!” 😄

🧩 Why Cheltenham Could Suit Him Perfectly

Patrick’s argument is all about track layout, rhythm, and settling:

✅ Cheltenham, Kempton & Aintree all have inside running rails

✅ Gold Cup day offers a strip of fresh ground

✅ Tight racing → easier to get Gaelic Warrior to relax

In contrast, Leopardstown’s wide, rail-free layout can light him up 🔥 — something Patrick feels masks his true ability there.

“I think his form outside Leopardstown is considerably better… and I think he could turn that form around with Fact To File.”

👀 One eye-catching stat?
Despite racing keenly in the Irish Gold Cup, Gaelic Warrior powered away from Galopin Des Champs by over eight lengths from the second-last to the line — a serious staying effort 💪.

🏇 Gold Cup or Ryanair?

With Willie Mullins juggling options, the Ryanair Chase remains a possible fallback if the Gold Cup looks overcrowded. But Patrick is clearly itching to roll the dice at three miles:

🤔 “You don’t know if they’ll stay the Gold Cup trip until you try.”

🌧️ Softer ground? Big plus

🏟️ Cheltenham track? No concerns whatsoever

And with Patrick already a Grand National-winning rider, the temptation to chase the Gold Cup is obvious…

🏅 Chasing History

Only one amateur has ever won both the Gold Cup and the Grand National — Sam Waley-Cohen. Patrick knows exactly what’s at stake:

“Sam won both, so we’ll try to match him.” 😮‍🔥

🌟 Lossiemouth: Another Big Mullins Call

The Mullins team also face a dilemma with superstar mare Lossiemouth:

🐎 Two-time Mares’ Hurdle winner

❓ Champion Hurdle still in play after DRF defeat to Brighterdaysahead

Patrick is refreshingly honest:

Best trip? 2½ miles

Champion Hurdle chance? Yes… but not guaranteed

DRF record? ❌ 3 defeats from 4 runs

With State Man absent, the Champion Hurdle looks more open than ever — but confidence is not absolute.

“For me it’s not a foregone conclusion either way.”

🔍 Community Talking Points

💬 Should Gaelic Warrior roll the dice in the Gold Cup or stick to the Ryanair?
💬 Can Patrick Mullins emulate Sam Waley-Cohen and land both racing’s holy grails?
💬 Where would you run Lossiemouth this year?

Cheltenham is shaping up to be vintage already 🍀🔥 — let’s hear your takes below 👇

7 months ago | [YT] | 0

UK & IRISH RACING

## 🏇 **Nolan Hoping Mullins Sends Doctor Steinberg Elsewhere**



### *Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Cheltenham Festival Preview*

Paul Nolan will be watching Willie Mullins’ Cheltenham decisions *very* closely over the coming weeks, as the destination of **Doctor Steinberg** could have a huge bearing on the Albert Bartlett picture 👀🏆.

### 🔥 **Thedeviluno on the Rise**

Nolan’s exciting novice **Thedeviluno** announced himself as a serious Cheltenham contender with a **commanding victory in the River Don at Doncaster**, confirming the steady upward curve he’s been showing all season.

* ✅ Progressive profile in Ireland
* ✅ Grade-level form already in the book
* ✅ Proven **stamina over three miles** – a huge tick for the Albert Bartlett

The only blot on his copybook this term? A defeat at Navan by **Doctor Steinberg** — a rival who has since gone on to land a **Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival** 💪.

### 🧠 **Why the Albert Bartlett Makes Sense**

Nolan is clear on the plan:

> *“I can’t see any reason why we’d change from the Albert Bartlett now he’s proved himself at three miles.”*

And the form backs that up 📊

* Beat **Skylight Hustle** (a Grade One winner) over **two miles** at Gowran
* Finished just a couple of lengths behind **Doctor Steinberg** over **2½ miles**
* Looked at his absolute best when stepped up to **three miles**, travelling powerfully throughout

### 🎯 **The Mullins Factor**

The big question now is where Mullins sends **Doctor Steinberg**:

* 🟢 **Albert Bartlett**: 2/1
* 🟡 **Turners Novices’ Hurdle**: 6/1

Nolan isn’t shy about his preference:

> *“We’ll be hoping Doctor Steinberg goes in the Turners instead of the Albert Bartlett.”* 😅

It’s easy to see why — Doctor Steinberg made all at Navan and dictated matters, while his Leopardstown win showed real class. However, **Cheltenham’s likely bigger fields** could make front-running tactics far harder to pull off this time 🌪️.

### 💷 **Current Betting Snapshot (NRNB)**

* 🥈 **Thedeviluno** – 6/1 second favourite (Albert Bartlett)
* ⭐ **Doctor Steinberg** – Market leader
* ⚡ **Skylight Hustle** – 5/1 for the Turners

### 🏟️ **Cheltenham Shape-Up**

With many novices unable to qualify for handicaps this year, both novice hurdles are shaping up to be **deep, competitive renewals**. Tactics, track position, and stamina will be absolutely crucial — and that could play right into Thedeviluno’s strengths 💥.

🔮 **Verdict:**
If Doctor Steinberg diverts to the Turners, Thedeviluno suddenly looks a *massive* player in the Albert Bartlett. Either way, Paul Nolan has a novice who’s peaking at exactly the right time… and Cheltenham may yet see the best of him 🏆🍀.

👇 What would *you* do with Doctor Steinberg — Albert Bartlett or Turners? Let’s hear it! 💬🔥

7 months ago | [YT] | 0