'This is one hell of a story' - Three small Irish yards that could make a splash at the Cheltenham Festival

It’s just three weeks until the Cheltenham Festival, our version of the Olympics. In all sporting events, we see things that are not fancied to happen.

Just last week, we saw USA ice skater Ilia Malinin fall twice during his final appearance and lose his chance at Olympic glory - something those involved could not imagine happening.

That’s what makes sports so interesting and compelling: you cannot predict anything that will happen.

Every year, horses, trainers, and staff go and dream about coming back into that winning reception after the race.

The dream of having a Cheltenham winner is something you cannot describe, and it’s what everyone involved in racing trains, rides, and works for.

We have seen the smaller yards at the Festival thrive because everyone has a chance.

Here are three live chances from small Irish yards that I think have a major chance at the Cheltenham Festival.

Oscars Brother - Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

This is one hell of a story. Connor King, a two-time champion conditional jockey, could no longer keep his weight reasonable enough to ride, so he made the tough decision to stop riding and take out a training licence.

He currently has two horses out on the track - Grey Jude, a progressive five-year-old hurdler, and his next horse, Oscars Brother, who has been nothing short of a revelation for the King family.

This eight-year-old son of Malinas was always going to fall under the cliché of “whatever he did over hurdles was a bonus” because he is an out-and-out chaser.

Fences have brought this horse to life. His chase debut resulted in a solid performance behind Western Fold, who is rated 157 and has gone on to graded glory and a Galway Plate.

He got off the mark over fences in Galway at the end of October, and younger brother Daniel King decided this horse was best when prominent and made his own fractions - and the two went hand in hand perfectly.

Next up was a step up in company and in trip. We saw a different tactical approach, as Rocky’s Diamond was the usual front-runner, but a couple of slight mistakes saw Oscars Brother taking the lead, and when needed, he pulled out all of his stamina to gain victory in the Grade 3 Florida Pearl Chase.

A progressive horse, jockey, and trainer were always going to make a great story, but it was made even better when legendary owner J.P. McManus purchased Oscars Brother - and kept the horse under the care of Connor King, allowing the family’s dream to continue.

I can imagine the 8th of February was a bit different for Connor King and his family. You go to the races with that added pressure - similar to a minor footballer making his senior debut - as your horse runs in the most recognisable silks in racing.

But this new pressure only inspired the team. Under a super confident ride from Daniel King - who has shown in the last 12 months that the talent pool among young Irish riders is at an insanely high standard - he and Oscars Brother went out and made all, with some decent horses in behind wondering when this fella was going to come back.

It seems that the Grand National is the long-term aim, but after Final Demand’s disappointment at the DRF, it would make sense for the McManus team to let this horse take his chance at the Festival, because he is more than capable of landing this race.

Previous years have shown that having a National prospect in this field can pay dividends, with last year’s winner Lecky Watson being a prime example - a horse with stamina in abundance who now looks a live shot for the famous race.

It would be great to see this daily story have a fairytale ending, and with the correct man on board and the watchful eye of someone who knows what it takes to win, I can see Oscars Brother not only showing up in the Brown Advisory but turning up with a cracking chance.

Jazzy Matty - Grand Annual

The phrase “been there, done that” can apply to most things, such as visiting a holiday destination or hitting your first 180 when throwing darts - but not often can it be said for a horse winning at the Cheltenham Festival over hurdles and fences.

In this case, we have Jazzy Matty, who is writing his own script.

He rounded off a memorable day for the late Michael O’Sullivan at Cheltenham, and his next story came in the sales ring at Tattersalls.

He was part of the Brown dispersal sale, where he made 50,000, and his next trainer was Cian Collins.

It would only seem fitting, after a couple of wins for Collins, that the former winner would win the race after Marine Nationale - who also won on the day for Michael O’Sullivan - both horses winning at the same Festival but, through unfortunate circumstances, with different jockeys on board. It was an extremely poignant moment.

The Grand Annual is the target again for Collins, and speaking to him before his hurdle run at Thurles, Collins highlighted the fact that the horse is still improving:

“He’s only seven this year, so he’s still a young horse, and I still think he’s growing and getting stronger every year.

“He’s unrecognisable from when he first came in, to be honest. He’s definitely got bigger and stronger, and I’m very happy with him.”

It would be a massive moment if this horse could go and reclaim his Grand Annual title, as it’s an extremely difficult feat.

Currently a 15/2 chance for the race and seemingly still well-handicapped, it could be another memorable day for Collins, who has shown in his relatively short training career so far that when given the ammunition, he can rub shoulders with the best in the business.

Spillane’s Tower - Cheltenham Gold Cup

A former National-winning trainer may return to the top of the sport at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, as stable star Spillane’s Tower may take his chance in the iconic Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Often recognised by his infamous yellow and purple hat, Jimmy Mangan is hoping Spillane’s Tower will be allowed to return to Prestbury Park for the all-important race of the Festival.

Mangan trained Monty’s Pass to Aintree Grand National glory in 2003, and Spillane’s Tower would seem to have a massive chance in the Gold Cup.

A two-time Grade 1 novice chase winner, he made his debut in open company in the Grade 1 John Durkan and was narrowly beaten by Irish Gold Cup winner Fact To File.

He was disappointing when running no race in the King George at Christmas in 2024, but after a couple of hurdles efforts this season, Spillane’s Tower got his head in front again when impressively gaining victory in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham, beating former Brown Advisory winner L’Homme Presse.

In what looks like an open Gold Cup contest, it would be silly to write off the chances of Spillane’s Tower - especially given that he is still relatively unexposed in open company over fences.

It would be brilliant to see Spillane’s Tower in the Gold Cup because, as an improving eight-year-old, this could be his best chance yet at the race.