Maybe it’s the narky digital age we live in; all the instinctive hair-trigger outrage that’s the default setting for any kind of annoyance. There have been occasions during the festival’s history when race could reflect broader concerns. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesOne straightforward step to prevent a repeat at Cheltenham specifically is to not start any races on a bend. Willie Mullins didn’t think much of the starts either. McManus is entitled to race or not race his horses where he likes and took Spillane’s Tower out of the Gold Cup as well.

Source: The Irish Times March 16, 2026 16:31 UTC