‘Winning at Cheltenham is special’ Cheveley Park owner Richard Thompson reveals two races he’d love to win at this year’s festival

Cheltenham Racecourse view from above.

Cheveley Park Stud Director Richard Thompson has revealed the two big targets he wants to win at next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

The prominent operation has secured plenty of big race wins in the past on both the Flat and over Jumps and heading into next week’s four-day extravaganza at Prestbury Park, Thompson has two runners he is very keen to see cross the line in front. 

Cheveley Park runners Tullyhill and Quilixios are both 7/2 and 6/1 respectively in the latest Cheltenham betting markets via bookmaker BoyleSports and Thompson is keen to see two winners from the first two races. 

“The Supreme Novices Hurdle next week (with Tullyhill) next week and The Arkle (with Quilixios) are two I’d love to add,” Thompson said,

“The King George at Kempton is another one, this season we had Allaho as the favourite, who finished third but it was a fantastic race.

“However, once you’ve won the Gold Cup [in 2022 with A Plus Tard] – that’s the Holy Grail of National Hunt racing.”

The four days of the Festival next week are the biggest in jumps racing and Thompson spoke about it in glowing terms, saying everything you read about how good it is certainly is true,

“It’s grown and grown over the years, it’s got the magic dust. It’s such a big build-up and such a great atmosphere.”

“In life, and at the top level of sport there are a few events which are like that and Cheltenham is one of them. It’s just so special, so when you actually have a horse running there or you win a race, then you really understand just how special it is.

“Everything they say about Cheltenham, in terms of the experience as an owner, is fact.”