A rather different Cheltenham in prospect for Henry de Bromhead

Henry de Bromhead’s many Cheltenham Festival successes have famously been shared with record-breaking rider Rachael Blackmore. But her retirement leaves the Waterford trainer preparing for a first Festival without his trusted lieutenant since 2019.

Blackmore rode her first Festival winners in 2019, when Minella Indo and A Plus Tard came to the fore on the biggest of stages, names that would both go on to win the meeting’s blue riband, the Cheltenham Gold Cup – with Blackmore on board when the latter struck in 2022.

The pair’s golden girl Honeysuckle is also enjoying retirement, but a handful of the horses Blackmore rode to victory at Prestbury Park are still in action, although it is now Darragh O’Keeffe who receives the leg-up having stepped into what is a huge vacancy.

Of the first Festival without Blackmore, De Bromhead said: “Of course, it will be different, but Darragh has stepped into the role brilliantly and we are delighted with him.

“We will miss having Rachael around, of course, but I am sure she will still be there to help us out with advice when we need it.”

Bob Olinger provided De Bromhead and Blackmore with three Festival triumphs, winning what is now the Turners Novices’ Hurdle in 2021, the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase in 2022 and the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2025.

Now 11, he is back for more in the Stayers’, having been somewhat overlooked as an 11-1 shot when defeating Teahupoo 12 months ago.

“He was like the forgotten horse. I was at a preview night a couple of weeks before and I was looking at the betting. I got to 20-1 and I got a fright and started wondering if I’d actually entered him or not!” De Bromhead said of his 2025 run.

“Then I got to 66-1 and I said ‘oh my God, that’s the each-way bet of the week!’ – I wasn’t saying he would win or anything, but I couldn’t believe the price he was.

“He’s class and always has been. Obviously we lost him for about a year, a year and a half, which was probably our fault, but it’s great to have him back.”

At the ripe age of 12, Envoi Allen is returning for his eighth Cheltenham Festival, with his record at the meeting including three wins across the Champion Bumper, the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase.

Last season he was third in the Ryanair, but having won the Champion Chase over three miles at Down Royal on his seasonal debut he arrives in good form for his swansong in the Gold Cup itself.

De Bromhead, who has 25 Festival wins to his name, striking first in the 2010 Arkle with Sizing Europe, said: “I think he has a chance, I really do. It’s sort of like Bob Olinger last year – you look at all the horses he has beaten and they are single figures and then you look at him and he’s some crazy price!

“I thought he was better than ever when he won on his comeback. People said it wasn’t a good race, but you only have to look at the form since – if he stays that extra bit and I don’t see why he won’t. I am kind of wondering why I haven’t run him in the Gold Cup for the past couple of years.

“The enthusiasm of him and Bob Olinger is amazing. I think it’s seven years ago that Envoi Allen won the bumper which is mad and I think he’s been there every year since.”