As one bid for racing immortality fell short, another rare feat suddenly came into view as Inothewayurthinkin, in the famous green and gold silks, surged ahead of defending champion Galopin Des Champs to claim the Cheltenham Gold Cup by six lengths.
Only four horses have won three Gold Cups, and only one Golden Miller in 1934 has managed to win both the Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same season. Within a month, Inothewayurthinkin could attempt to join that exclusive club if his connections decide he has recovered well enough to take part in the Grand National at Aintree on April 5.
The owner expressed caution about the possibility of the horse running at Aintree, reflecting on past experiences, including the tragic loss of a former winner who sustained a fatal injury in the National after winning the Gold Cup in 2012. Another tough moment came in Friday’s race with the loss of Corbetts Cross, who fell at the second last.
“The Gold Cup is a tough race. We have to be fair to the horse,” he stated. “I’ll see what the trainer says, but don’t expect a decision in the next week.”
The National presents a different challenge today there were no fallers in last year’s race and with Inothewayurthinkin now the strong 3-1 favorite to complete the prestigious double, the temptation is undeniable.
Inothewayurthinkin was not originally entered in the Gold Cup but was supplemented for £25,000 after the trainer reported that the horse was excelling in training. That decision paid off as the horse delivered a commanding performance under jockey Mark Walsh, aided by a slightly below-par run from Galopin Des Champs. The favorite had bested Inothewayurthinkin by seven lengths in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February but never traveled with his usual fluency at Cheltenham and could not match the winner’s acceleration in the final stages.
A strong jump at the last secured the victory, with Inothewayurthinkin finishing comfortably ahead, showing he still had plenty left in the tank. Now, all eyes will be on his recovery in the coming days before any decision is made regarding the Grand National.
“We came here to try and win,” the trainer explained. “I thought the Gold Cup might be too soon in his career, so we hadn’t entered initially. But after a big run in the Dublin Racing Festival, we decided to take our chance.”
On the possibility of Aintree, he added: “We’ll get the horse home, catch our breath, and have that conversation later. You can’t rule it out t’s tempting.”
Meanwhile, the owner reflected on the unexpected series of events that led to this success. Inothewayurthinkin’s sire, Walk In The Park, was initially purchased by his connections but failed a vet check. The horse went on to finish second in the Derby for another owner, meaning he was never gelded and could later sire a Gold Cup winner. “The Lord works in mysterious ways,” he remarked.
Elsewhere in racing, Tanganyika could provide a much-needed victory for his stable in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter. The seven-year-old has been improving steadily, securing two consecutive wins, the latest in impressive fashion at Carlisle. The step up in trip should suit him, and he looks a strong contender at around 10-1.
Other races to watch include the 1.50 at Uttoxeter, where Hidden History, a recruit to his new stable, appears well-handicapped for a successful debut. Over at Kempton, Teddy Blue looks to continue his promising start over fences in the 2.10, while Blaze The Way is an interesting contender in the 2.25 at Uttoxeter after an improved showing in Ireland.
At Kempton in the 2.45, Double Powerful aims to return to winning form after a tough run last time out. Ben Pauling’s Bad, a decisive winner last time over track and trip, lines up in the 3.20, while Walk On Quest seeks a five-timer in the 3.35 at Uttoxeter, looking well-placed despite a modest rise in the weights.
