The Finishing Line Podcast 🏇

The whole situation with Romeo Coolio has me thinking, yet again, that the BHA's decision to get rid of the Turners Novices' Chase at Cheltenham was a massive mistake. As novices, connections should have the option to choose any of the three races to see what they have with a view to their time in open company next season. This also lends itself to a build-up for the top novices now going to take on the best 2m chasers or the Gold Cup horses the following season, giving us the clashes and PR that have been missing for so long at Cheltenham. Instead, the Ryanair Chase should have been scrapped from the Festival, and Fact To File, along with Gaelic Warrior, are prime examples of why the Ryanair Chase should not be at the Cheltenham Festival. The Cheltenham Festival is meant to be where the best take on the best, and having a cop out open race defeats the purpose of what the Cheltenham Festival is supposed to be. There is no Grade 1 middle-distance open hurdle at Cheltenham, so why is there a Grade 1 middle-distance open chase? If you want to run Grade 1 over a middle distance in open company, then run in the Melling Chase at Aintree ✅

🥃 O'DRISCOLL'S WHISKEY ANNOUNCE €50,000 GOLD CUP WINNER'S BONUS FOR TRAMORE'S NEW YEAR'S DAY CHASE 🥃 Tramore Racecourse is proud to announce that O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey will continue its sponsorship of the Grade 3 New Year’s Day Chase. O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey have added further spice to next year’s renewal by offering a €50,000 bonus to the connections of the winner of next month's race, should they go on and win any race at the 2026 Cheltenham festival. The race boasts a rich roll of honour. Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo won the race four years in a row for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. In 2023, Minella Indo came back to a huge reception after the former Gold Cup hero ran out a narrow winner for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore, while last year’s renewal was won by Embassy Gardens, who was ridden by the late Mikey O’Sullivan. Speaking on the announcement, Michael Stafford, Managing Director of O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey, said: "We are delighted to add this extra layer of excitement to our sponsorship at Tramore. The race has grown in stature year on year with many future high-class winners going on to Cheltenham success in March." ‘The race has grown and evolved over the last five years, and it is now a recognised trail for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.’ Speaking on behalf of Tramore, Racecourse Manager Owen Byrne said: "We are thrilled that Michael and his team have further enhanced their support here at Tramore. The O’Driscoll’s team are passionate about horse racing in Ireland and really get behind the sport which is so welcome." "We have enjoyed working with Michael and the team at O’Driscoll’s Whiskey. We are thrilled to have them on board for what is our flagship race. Our New Year's Day fixture is one of the most important social events during the busy Christmas/New Year period in this part of the country.’ Photo Credit: Noel Browne

What is with peoples sudden obsession of skipping CHELTENHAM in favour of Aintree or Fairyhouse❓ That’s like saying you would rather your football team win the FA Cup over the Champions League 🤦🏼 Every owner dreams of having a winner at the CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL, not at Fairyhouse or Aintree ❌

🚨TALKING POINTS is going to take up most of tomorrow's show, and here's why ✅ Fighting Fifth fallout ✅ Con Hill and what's next ✅ Hattons Grace three timer for Teahupoo ✅ Romeo Coolio's breakthrough performance ✅ Impose Toi lucky not to fall, and it wasn't his fault ✅Jimmy Du Seuil is now in the Brown Advisory picture ✅Mydaddypaddy cut to 5/1 on the back of a schooling session There's a reason why we used to have a show just for this 😂