Vhagar, the eight-year-old mare trained by Willie Mullins, is set to take another step towards a historic Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National double. The horse, owned by the Cheveley Park Stud, impressed in her seasonal reappearance at Punchestown, where she won easily, and connections are now eyeing a return to Cheltenham in March.
Impressive Return at Punchestown
Vhagar made her eagerly awaited return to the track at Punchestown on Sunday, where she was sent off the 1/4 favourite. Ridden by Paul Townend, she travelled strongly throughout and quickened clear in the straight to win by five and a half lengths. The victory was her first since her memorable triumph in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup, and it confirmed her wellbeing ahead of a busy spring campaign.
Her trainer, Willie Mullins, was delighted with the performance, saying: "She did it nicely. She was entitled to win, but you still have to go out and do it. Paul was very happy with her, and she seems in great form." The win was Vhagar's second over fences this season, having also won a beginners' chase at Navan in November.
Aim: Historic Double
The ultimate goal for Vhagar is to become the first horse since Golden Miller in 1934 to win both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same season. Mullins has confirmed that she will be aimed at the Gold Cup in March, with the National at Aintree in April also on the agenda, should she come through her preparations unscathed.
Vhagar's owner, the Cheveley Park Stud, is no stranger to success, having enjoyed victories in many of the sport's biggest races. The stud's managing director, Chris Richardson, expressed his excitement about the mare's prospects, stating: "She's a very special mare, and we're dreaming big. The Gold Cup is the number one target, but the National is a wonderful race, and if she gets there, it would be fantastic."
Betting and Next Steps
Following her Punchestown success, Vhagar was cut to 7/2 for the Gold Cup by most bookmakers, making her the clear favourite for the Cheltenham showpiece. She is also prominent in the Grand National betting, with odds of around 10/1 available for the Aintree marathon.
Connections have indicated that Vhagar will have one more run before Cheltenham, likely in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February. Mullins added: "We'll see how she comes out of this, but the plan is to go to Leopardstown next. She's in good shape, and we're looking forward to the rest of the season."
Should Vhagar achieve the double, she would etch her name into racing history, becoming only the second horse ever to complete the feat. The last horse to attempt the double was Tiger Roll in 2019, who won the National but finished fifth in the Gold Cup. Vhagar's connections are hopeful that she can go one better and secure a place in the record books.
