The Cheltenham Gold Cup will enjoy its centenary year in 2024 and, in 99 previous editions, it’s proved to be one of the toughest tests for both horse and jockey. It’s often said that, if a horse has the strength and quality to come through at Cheltenham, it may be a strong contender for the Grand National that follows.
But is that the case? In almost 100 years, only one horse has won the Gold Cup and the National in the same season. We have to go right back to 1934 to find Golden Miller’s unique double, but could see a historic second achievement in 2023?
Notable Noble
Those behind Noble Yeats are eyeing up entries in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National this year. While the stable may be playing down the chances of a historic double, the possibility is certainly being talked up by the horse racing press.
This is largely due to the fact that Noble Yeats will be defending his Grand National crown when the race returns to Aintree in April. While it’s certain that the horse will be competing in the National, his entry in the Gold Cup in March isn’t assured just yet.
Many horses have both races on their radar initially, but they don’t always follow through. The message for anyone looking to back Noble Yeats at Cheltenham is, therefore, to ‘watch this space’, but the bookmakers have already included this horse for both the National and the Gold Cup.
Gold Cup Runners and Riders
Noble Yeats certainly ranks highly in the early Cheltenham Gold Cup betting markets, but he’s not the early favourite. That honour currently lies at the hooves of Galopin Des Champs, while 2022 winner A Plus Tard follows on in second place.
The Emmet Mullins-trained Noble Yeats follows as one of three joint favourites alongside Stattler and Bravemansgame. Odds are reflected right across the industry and a good central portal can be found at SBO.
The website lists all of the new horse racing sportsbooks along with the established operators and that combination offers a good, all-round view of the markets. As the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National draw closer, those odds will be updated as soon as any changes are reported.
Blog posts and general betting advice is also published, while visitors to the SBO site can also get involved in the markets. Subject to eligibility requirements and a completed registration form, all bookmakers on the panel will accept new customers.
Once that sign up is complete and any verification has been carried out, most operators will release a generous welcome package. Any qualifying bets will need funds and a range of deposit providers can help here.
Effective customer service is part of a set of additional benefits which may include additional bonuses, mobile apps and the live streaming of daily horse races for funded accounts.
It’s a logical partner for National Hunt and Flat betting, but can Noble Yeats possibly emulate Golden Miller in 2023?
Can Noble Yeats pull it off?
It’s hard enough for any horse to win Britain’s two most testing jump races across their career and, as we’ve seen, to do that in a single season is virtually impossible. These are the two most challenging events on the calendar and a horse’s talent and endurance is put under extreme pressure over long distances and high fences.
Many horses that were originally intended to take part in both renewals are eventually withdrawn from the National after a sapping outing in the Gold Cup.
Could Noble Yeats go against the trend? The horse’s overall record shows six wins over the jumps in 15 outings. We need to look at more recent form and this is more promising with two wins, a second place and a third place in five races this season.
Those are solid statistics but they aren’t outstanding returns. The key, of course, is the fact that this horse won the Grand National in 2022. If he’s capable of winning the biggest feat of endurance in the sport, Noble Yeats will certainly have a chance of competing in the Gold Cup, but it’s a big ask to claim both races in the same season.
