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Cheltenham Festival 2025: Blackmore’s Dominance and Galopin Des Champs’ Legacy
| Event | Details | Key Players | Highlights | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rachael Blackmore’s Historic Day at Cheltenham |
Rachael Blackmore completed her Cheltenham championship CV with a triumphant performance on Bob Olinger in the Stayers’ Hurdle. This victory added to her previous successes, including the Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, the Champion Chase on Captain Guinness, and two Champion Hurdle wins on Honeysuckle. | Rachael Blackmore, Henry de Bromhead | Blackmore’s double win on Bob Olinger and Air Of Entitlement marked another magical day at the Festival. | Brian O’Connor reflected on Blackmore’s outstanding performance, highlighting her dominance and the strategic brilliance of trainer Henry de Bromhead. |
Galopin Des Champs Aims for Steeplechasing Immortality |
Galopin Des Champs is poised to achieve steeplechasing immortality by securing a hat-trick in the Gold Cup. The anticipation for this historic moment is palpable, with the racing world buzzing with excitement. | Galopin Des Champs | The Gold Cup race is set to be a thrilling spectacle, with Galopin Des Champs aiming to cement his legacy. | Brian O’Connor’s preview of the Gold Cup highlights the significance of this race and the potential for a legendary performance by Galopin Des Champs. |
JJ Slevin Seeks Redemption in the Gold Cup |
JJ Slevin, riding Banbridge, hopes to upset the odds and secure a Gold Cup win, seeking redemption after last year’s untimely exit. | JJ Slevin, Banbridge | Slevin’s determination to redeem himself adds an intriguing subplot to the Gold Cup race. | Brian O’Connor’s insights into Slevin’s chances and the day’s other races, including the Triumph Hurdle, where Willie Mullins has 11 runners but none in the top three betting positions. |
Rugby: Ireland Prepares for Italy Showdown |
Simon Easterby’s selection for Ireland’s game against Italy features Jack Crowley, who returns to the starting lineup after a period of patience. Easterby also defended Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter following criticism from France head coach Fabien Galthié. | Simon Easterby, Jack Crowley, Tadhg Beirne, Andrew Porter | The team selection and the defensive strategy are key points of interest as Ireland aims to bounce back from their recent defeat. | Johnny Watterson’s interview with James Ryan delves into the players’ response to the French defeat and the potential rebuild under Andy Farrell, with an eye on the 2027 Australia campaign. |
Republic of Ireland’s Rebuild and League of Ireland Dynamics |
Heimir Hallgrímsson, the Republic of Ireland manager, has named three uncapped players for the Nations League relegation playoff against Bulgaria. He also addressed the misinterpretation of his previous comments about the League of Ireland. | Heimir Hallgrímsson | Hallgrímsson’s squad selections and his efforts to rebuild relationships within the League of Ireland are crucial for the team’s future. | Gavin Cummiskey’s column highlights the efforts of Drogheda and Waterford to challenge Dublin’s dominance in the League of Ireland, with European qualification as the ultimate goal. |
Gaelic Games: Dublin vs. Galway Showdown |
Seán Moran previews the high-stakes match between Dublin and Galway at Croke Park. Galway aims to end a 15-year drought and secure their first league win over Dublin, which could propel them into a second league final in three years. | Pádraic Joyce, Dublin, Galway | The match is set to be a pivotal moment in the league, with both teams vying for supremacy. | Moran’s preview emphasizes the significance of this encounter and its potential impact on the league standings. |
TV Watch: Sports Highlights for March 14, 2025 |
Round two of The Players Championship kicks off with Sky Sports Golf’s coverage starting at 11:30 AM. The final day of the Cheltenham Festival, featuring the Gold Cup, will be broadcast on Virgin Media One and ITV from 12:45 PM to 5:00 PM. Later, the Irish under-20s conclude their Six Nations campaign against Italy on RTE 2 at 7:45 PM, and a League of Ireland derby between St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians will be shown on Virgin Media Two at 7:45 PM. | Rory McIlroy, Irish Under-20s, St Patrick’s Athletic, Bohemians | These events promise thrilling action and high-stakes competition, making it a must-watch day for sports fans. | Stay tuned for live updates and in-depth analysis of these exciting matches and races. |