Brian Dowling: From Arkle to Don – Some of Meath’s greatest Cheltenham successes

As the Cheltenham Festival looms closer, plenty of trainers around the Royal County will be putting the finishing touches on their Cheltenham preparations.

Success could potentially come in abundance for Meath trainers next week, with the Royal County sending a very strong squad.

Meath has had some unforgettable days at Prestbury Park.

Arkle - Gold Cup – 7th March 1964

When we look back at the Cheltenham Festival’s most famous duals, the finger immediately points at Arkle versus Mill House.

Fulke Walwyn’s defending champion Mill House came up against the rising Irish superstar Arkle, from the fields of county Meath.

People all over Britain and Ireland flocked to the closest TV screen they could find to watch the action unfold. Although in black and white, Sir Peter O’Sullevan painted the picture perfectly.

Arkle, 7-4 under Pat Taaffe, began to close coming to the third last, as O’Sullevan described “and Pat’s being shouted for from the stands. Irish voices are starting to call for him now as he begins to make up ground on Arkle.”

Heading down to the last, Willie Robinson on board the 8-13 favourite, gave way for a new champion.

“And this is it! Willie Robinson has got his whip out and Pat Taaffe shakes up Arkle. Arkle has gone a length up and it’s going to be Arkle if he jumps it. Down to the last now, Arkle a length clear of Mill House, he’s over and clear”

The race was his, he asserted further and won the Gold Cup by five lengths.

“This is the champion, this is the best we’ve seen for a long time.”

But little did O’Sullevan know, it is the best we’ve seen of all time.

Espoir d’Allen - Champion Hurdle – 12th March 2019

Gavin Cromwell and Espoir d’Allen snuck in under everyone’s radar in the build up to the 2019 Champion Hurdle. He won three races on the bounce at Naas and Limerick, and headed to Cheltenham a mere 16/1 chance for the Tuesday showpiece.

The market was spearheaded by the three-in-a-row seeking Buveur D’Air, but his afternoon was shortlived when he fell at the third flight. The Royal County’s main hopeful looked to be Gordon Elliot’s super mare Apple’s Jade, but she weakened coming to the third last, as did Laurina, who looked a lively chance for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins.

This left the door open perfectly for Espoir d’Allen and under a very patient Mark Walsh, the five-year-old was scintillating on the turn in.

“And they run round the home turn. Espoir d’Allen and Mark Walsh have SAUNTERED into the lead in the Champion Hurdle. Now he says go and he’s on by three lengths”.

It was as if a button had to be pressed to ignite him into overdrive. He galloped his rivals into submission.

He popped the last and the crown was his.

Espoir d’Allen was only a five-year-old, the first to win it in 11 years, and looked the sort who could dominate the division for years to come.

An unfortunate injury on the gallops resulted in Espoir d’Allen being put down a few months later, but nobody will ever forgot his performance that day, where he was every inch a champion.

Don Cossack – Gold Cup – 18th March 2016

A tremendous display from Don Cossack landed Gordon Elliot in racing utopia with his first Cheltenham Gold Cup success.

The Gigginstown-owned gelding was stupendous. He jumped brilliantly throughout, and kicked away up the hill under Bryan Cooper to win by four lenghts.

Coming down to the third last, he loomed up on the outside, with Djakadam and the King George winner Cue Card on his inner. The Irish pair pingedit , but Cue Card crashed into it sending Paddy Brennan to the turf.

Cooper shook up Don Cossack and put three lengths immediately between him and his rival on the approach to the second last, where he produced another bold leap.

“But approaching the last, Don Cossack with a four length lead. He jumps it well. Up the Cheltenham hill, Don Cossack has got to see it out, Djakadam is trying hard under Ruby Walsh, there’s three lengths between them.”

See it out he did, the German bred horse powered to victory, and Elliot had reached the summit.

“Don Cossack sticking on well - and WINS THE GOLD CUP!”

It proved to be his final racecourse appearance, but what a way to bow out.

Benefficient – Jewson Novices’ Chase – 14th March 2013

A piece of training genius from Tony Martin ensured he would secure his first and only Grade 1 success at the Cheltenham Festival.

When Benefficient, 20-1, crossed the line in front, it sent the owners, Red Sheils and Niall Reilly, into pandemonium in the parade ring. An iconic interview with Clare Balding followed on Channel 4, where Martin was surrounded by the pair, with nothing but hugs and kisses.

Benefficient made the running in front under Bryan Cooper, and when he was overtaken at the third last by Dynaste and Captain Conan, it looked like his goose was cooked.

But Cooper was patient, and when they rounded for home, the rail opened up. Approaching the last, Cooper and Benefficient came back to the pair, and jumped the last excellently.

“Over on the far side Benefficient, who jumped it best of the three, and emerges with the lead. And it’s Benefficient who’s forged his way back to the front. Dynaste in second, Captain Conan in third. But what a gutsy display by Benefficient, he will prove the giant killer, and win the Jewson Novices’ Chase.”

Toughness personified. And in a typical never say die Meath attitude, Martin wasn’t letting that one go.