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With the coming of May, we broadly see the end of the jumps season across the UK and Ireland. The likes of Wille Mullins will pop up here and there with a few entries on the flat racing cards across the summer, but, by and large, it’s time to reflect on what has happened across another season.

There are, of course, many narratives that have popped up since last autumn, but we have picked five of the most intriguing below:

Mullins, Mullins, Mullins

It was just one race, but you can reflect on the finishing order of the 2025 Grand National and ask what it tells us about the current state of horse racing: 1^st position Nick Rockett (trainer Willie Mullins); 2^nd I Am Maximus (T. Wille Mullins), 3^rd Grangeclare (T. Willie Mullins), 5^th Meetingofthewaters )T. Willie Mullins), 7^th Minella Cocooner (T. Wille Mullins). Five of the top seven finishers and the first three across the line were trained by the Mullins machine. It was the cherry on top of yet another season where he dominated on both sides of the Irish Sea. The question is whether this is something that should be celebrated or whether it’s indicative of a wider malaise.

Cheltenham Thrills and Spills

Despite the dominance of you-know-who, there were lots of shocks at Cheltenham that made for box office viewing. Golden Ace beat the Big 2 in the Champion Hurdle, Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayyourethinking showed Mullins is beatable by storming to the Gold Cup, and Poniros was available at 100/1 and above in online horse betting markets before taking the Triumph Hurdle. Yet, despite the thrills, there were some downsides: ticket sales were down significantly as punters stayed away, many of whom cited extreme prices for accommodation as the reason.

A Gloomy Low-Key Boxing Day

The Boxing Day races remain one of the best traditions in jumps racing, with meetings taking place across the UK and Ireland – it’s unmatched globally in terms of the volume of elite racing held on a single day. Yet, the centre of gravity feels like it is shifting away from those traditions. Most notably, there is the King George VI Chase, which was once almost on a level with the Gold Cup. The days of Kauto Star going for glory while the Christmas turkey was still fresh. Ask any casual punter if they can recall which horse was the starting favourite for the 2024 King George. It was the rather unremarkable Spillane’s Tower. The race has become decidedly low-key.

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A Shift to Ireland

One of the reasons why the (relatively) mediocre cards have continued at Kempton and elsewhere on Boxing Day is that many of the big hitters from Ireland are staying at home. It’s not just Mullins, either. The allure of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, the Dublin Racing Festival (February), and the Punchestown Festival (April) is plain to see. And we’d argue that their popularity is on the rise. If you take the Dublin Festival, for instance, it’s the perfect warm-up event for Cheltenham. There is simply no comparison in Britain. It’s a big issue for British racing to address should they wish to wrestle back dominance from the Irish racing world.

Reasons to Celebrate

Years from now, it might be rightly appreciated the job that ITV has done to promote jumps racing. Yes, it is in the broadcaster’s interest to bring in viewers, but the coverage – and its auxiliary presence on social media – has been outstanding in terms of bringing in younger viewers and casual fans. Viewing figures were up to 1.8 million for the Gold Cup, which was up by 200,000 on 2024. It’s hugely encouraging, as interest in the sport, especially from younger people, is key to the future of what happens on the racecourses across Britain.

In the long and storied history of National Hunt racing, few names are spoken with as much reverence as that of Tom Dreaper. The Irish trainer, whose quiet demeanour masked a mind of brilliant precision, built a legacy at Greenogue in County Meath that continues to echo across generations. Yet, for all his winners and triumphs, two exceptional horses – Arkle and Flyingbolt – truly carved his name into the sport’s immortal scroll.

 

Between them, Arkle and Flyingbolt didn’t just win races – they redefined what was possible. They were not only champions but phenomena, anomalies, almost the stuff of legend in their dominance. And they arrived in the same stable, under the same owner, within a few short years of each other. It was a golden era, unlike anything the sport had seen before – or perhaps since.

The Arrival of Arkle: The Birth of a Legend

Foaled in 1957 and owned by Anne, Duchess of Westminster, Arkle was a gelding of modest pedigree but extraordinary ability. From the moment he began his chase career in the early 1960s, it became clear he was quite special. His early duels with Mill House, the reigning English champion, became a central narrative in jump racing – an Anglo-Irish rivalry that captivated fans on both sides of the Irish sea.

 

Under the guidance of Pat Taaffe – Dreaper’s long-time stable jockey – Arkle claimed three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups (1964-66), an Irish Grand National (1964), and an astonishing array of top-class victories across Britain and Ireland. What set him apart was not just his winning record but the manner in which he won. Arkle often carried immense weights and still stormed home ahead of the field, making a mockery of handicaps and rivals alike.

 

So dominant was Arkle that the official handicappers had to recalibrate their entire system. He achieved a Timeform rating of 212 – a number so otherworldly that it remains the highest ever given to a steeplechaser. His blend of speed, stamina, and surreal jumping ability made him the benchmark for greatness.

Flyingbolt: The Forgotten Phenomenon

Overshadowed only by the monstrous cast of Arkle was Flyingbolt, a chestnut gelding born in 1959 and also trained by Dreaper. Where Arkle had the measured dominance of a heavyweight champion, Flyingbolt was more like a middleweight with a sprinter’s speed and a marathon runner’s lungs. He was versatile to a fault, excelling from two miles to three-and-a-quarter, and he, too, made a mockery of the handicappers’ calculations.

 

In 1965-66, Flyingbolt arguably put together one of the greatest campaigns in the history of the sport. Within a matter of weeks, he won the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, carried top weight to third in the Champion Hurdle (a stunning effort for a chaser), and then romped home in the Irish Grand National while carrying an outrageous burden. His Timeform rating? A staggering 210 – just two points shy of Arkle and still the second-highest rating in history. His 1996 triumph with Pat Taffee at the helm would secure Dreaper’s tenth and final recording- extending the Irish Grand National’s win as a trainer – the most successful in the competition’s history.

 

But Flyingbolt’s trajectory was tragically shorter. He was struck by illness shortly after his sensational season and never returned to his peak form. As a result, his legend is often a quieter one, whispered among those who know rather than shouted from the rooftops. Yet, ask many hardened racing purists, and they’ll tell you: Flyingbolt, on his day, might well have beaten them all – including Arkle, but Dreaper would never let the pair take on each other.

Dreaper’s Quiet Genius

To have one horse of such rare brilliance in a career would be a trainer’s dream. To have two at almost the same time is nearly incomprehensible. Tom Dreaper was not one for self-promotion. He let the horses do the talking, and they spoke volumes. His training methods were simple but effective, based on patience, instinct, and an intuitive understanding of each horse’s rhythm and potential.

 

Speaking in a rare interview in the mid-1970s, Dreaper once said of his stable stars: “They were so different to train. Arkle was all economy – he did only what he needed to do, no more. Flyingbolt was restless, always keen to work, always sharp. You had to be careful with him.”

 

His partnership with Pat Taaffe was central to the era. Taaffe knew both horses intimately and rode with a calmness and authority that suited Dreaper’s quiet approach. They were a formidable trio – trainer, jockey, and horse – and their dominance throughout the 1960s elevated Irish racing to a new height.

A Legacy Cemented in Hooves and History

What makes the Arkle-Flyingbolt era so special is not just their statistics but the mythology surrounding them. There’s a sense of unreality to it all, as though the racing gods briefly allowed perfection to walk the turf of Ireland, Cheltenham and further afield.

 

Statistically, Arkle stands tallest. His Cheltenham Gold Cup hat-trick and his crushing victories under enormous weights placed him in a league of his own. But Flyingbolt was perhaps the more versatile and arguably the more explosive.

 

Together, they forged the most glorious chapter of Dreaper’s already distinguished career. And in doing so, they ensured that his name would never be forgotten. For in Arkle and Flyingbolt, Dreaper did not merely train great horses – he trained a legacy.

In early March at Wincanton, the Gore Browne Chase draws veteran and aspiring chasers who want to demonstrate their racing abilities. As the March 6 event approaches, bettors predict the winning possibility based on these factors. Professional bettors engaging with this race need to understand all the race dynamics to place informed bets, and our guide will assist them in making smart wager selections.

Before selecting a probable champion, you should examine multiple factors, including horse racing odds, previous horse records, and track moisture levels. This handicap steeplechase race contains a weight-deduction system that affects the game during its duration. That subset of experienced betters always searches for horses that combine weight loss with previous top-tier race positions. The Wincanton track exhibits good finishing properties that enable horses to make powerful late charges, thus requiring bettors to consider the resistance factor.

Key Factors to Consider When Betting on The Gore Browne Chase

These critical factors will increase your betting success when focused upon before placing your wager:

1. Trainer and Jockey Form

Excellent trainers who work at Wincanton and experienced jockeys give you a substantial advantage.

2. Ground Conditions

Conditions of the racing track influence which horses can handle them best based on ground classification. It is sensible to review current weather predictions.

3. Horse’s Past Performance at Wincanton

Previous experience on this track benefits horses because of their capability to handle the combination of sharp turns with level corners.

4. Handicap Weight Allocation

A horse that receives top weight might face challenges with certain track conditions; thus, examining past results with equivalent weight allocations makes sense.

5. Recent Race Results

Fordhamers who recently finished their races with strength tend to be at their best physical state, which leads to strong possibilities of winning.

Top Contenders for The Gore Browne Chase 2025

The following race contenders emerge as strong bets based on their current run statistics, their preferred track environments, and the successful track record of their trainers:

Horse Name	Trainer	Jockey	Recent Form (Last 3 Races)	Handicap Weight
Speedy Charger	Paul Nicholls	Harry Cobden	2nd – 1st – 3rd	11st 4lbs
Brave Challenger	Nicky Henderson	Nico de Boinville	3rd – 2nd – 1st	11st 2lbs
Stamina King	Dan Skelton	Harry Skelton	1st – 4th – 2nd	11st 6lbs
Thunder Chase	Venetia Williams	Charlie Deutsch	5th – 1st – 2nd	10st 12lbs
Midnight Raider	Fergal O’Brien	Paddy Brennan	4th – 3rd – 1st	11st 0lbs

Betting Strategies for The Gore Browne Chase

1. Each-Way Betting

A betting strategy using each-way wager (availing payouts for winning and placing positions) might suit uncertain race predictions.

2. Focus on Course Specialists

Select horses that achieved strong outcomes at Wincanton races since these animals perform better in subsequent events.

3. Watch for Late Market Movements

The betting market demonstrates insider information through late price movements, making pre-race odds follow-up worthwhile for bettors.

4. Study Pace and Running Style

Horses that maintain their lead position during early stages will find performing well on heavy track surfaces challenging, but finish runners benefit from tired leaders ahead of them.

5. Consider Forecast and Tricast Bets

The correct prediction of finish order for the initial two or three racers provides generous payouts, although this method needs extensive study of available information.

Final Predictions & Best Bets

The racing world recognizes Brave Challenger for his winning talents and consistent race success, which qualifies him as a heavy favorite in short-term championships. Horses select themselves for work because they display physical power and the requisite capabilities and competencies. The horse trainer Paul Nicholls enjoys widespread recognition in the industry. Speedy Charger represents a strong chance to win since trainer Paul Nicholls has previously won numerous races at Wincanton with this horse.

Thunder Chase is ideal for customers who desire the most cost-effective option. If the official course condition turns out to be soft, the bet must remain affordable with each-way terms. Midnight Raider stands out for his superior performance and speed, making him among the top three finishers.

Your newly acquired knowledge prepares you to wager on the Gore Intercity race while helping others capitalize on this opportunity.