Nine out of 10 sports activities followers plan to bunk off work to look at Cheltenham Gold Cup
Britain is ready to down instruments en masse tomorrow (Friday) after a survey revealed 9 of 10 sports activities followers will bunk off to look at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The battle for the ‘most iconic trophy in horse racing‘ will start at 3.30pm. And it’s set to set off an `Early Finish Friday’ for many of the nation.
A staggering 85% of Brits instructed researchers they plan to the watch the one hundredth anniversary of the race which boasts lots of the most well-known horses in historical past amongst its previous winners together with Arkle, Kauto Star and Desert Orchid. Rachael Blackmore’s 2022 victory on A Plus Tard – the primary ever by a feminine jockey – has been hailed a seismic second for ladies’s sport.
READ MORE: Cheltenham day three suggestions – together with favorite set to prime ‘exceptional return’
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She will attempt to repeat her success on Jungle Boogie tomorrow – and can attempt to cease present champion Galopin Des Champs profitable two in a row. Britain will grind to a standstill for the large race – with most bosses not anticipating their employees again earlier than the weekend.
Two out of three plan to look at the race at dwelling whereas 9% reckon their boss will allow them to tune in on the workplace, in response to a YouGOV Sport survey for bookmaker Betfair. Around 8% will head to the pub.
Would you skip out of labor to look at Cheltenham’s primary occasion Friday? Let us know within the feedback part beneath.
![Paul Townend celebrates with the Gold Cup following victory aboard Galopin Des Champs on day four of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article29487978.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/2_JS294215424.jpg)
(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
While 16% of these questioned hope to be on the course itself to look at the motion dwell. Cheltenham chiefs stated it’s a sell-out, and they aren’t shocked by the general public’s response.
“The Gold Cup has ruled the highest echelons of jump racing since 1924,” a spokesman said. “The most iconic trophy in horse racing, arguably, sport.
“This is the one they all long to win. For many it’s a lifetime obsession – to win The Cup, to claim the title, to be crowned champion chaser of the year. The Gold Cup is the one. The only one.”
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(Image: Getty Images)
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Paul Binfield of Paddy Power stated: “This is not the 1980s. People like to throw the odd sickie, and when it comes to the most important and historic horse race in the whole calendar, they just can’t fire up their computers.”
Jockey Rachael, 34, who won Wednesday’s top race, The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase, on Captain Guinness, said she used to secretly listen to Cheltenham commentaries during classes and would dash out of school to watch the Gold Cup.
“I keep in mind listening to it in class whereas at school. I had an earpiece and I had my hair down so it was hidden and I might take heed to the racing at Cheltenham all week,” she stated. “For the Gold Cup I keep in mind taking place to my aunt’s home which was solely two minutes away from our secondary college.
![Rachael Blackmore celebrates Cheltenham Gold Cup success on A Plus Tard](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article31918374.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_A-Plus-Tard-file-photo.jpg)
(Image: PA)
“The Gold Cup is just such a special race. It’s one as a jockey that you’d love to ride in someday and to be able to say you’ve won it is just incredibly special. There’s been 100 years of Gold Cup history, and I’d love to make some more.”
Her victory was voted the most iconic in the race’s history by the 1,500 Brits polled. Paul Nicholls, 61, who trained Kauto Star and Denman to Gold Cup glory, said he fell in love with the sport watching the race with his grandad.
“He all the time used to say, ‘you’ve acquired to be sure to watch the Gold Cup’. So I all the time used to look at it with him which actually acquired me hooked on racing.
(Image: PA)
“It was so special to train both Kauto Star and Denman for the races when they took each other on. When Kauto won the first one in 2007. he was absolutely imperious that day. That was a very special day.”
Legendary jockey Ruby Walsh, 44, who rode Kauto Star to victory, said: “The Gold Cup was all the time on a pedestal in our home.”