British hopes will once again be in sharp focus when the Cheltenham Festival arrives, as home-trained runners look to challenge Ireland’s current dominance in National Hunt racing.
Although Irish stables have held the upper hand in recent years, the British contingent showed signs of resurgence in 2025 with eight Festival winners. With the balance of power in racing often shifting over time, there is growing optimism that British trainers can close the gap in the seasons ahead.
Dan Skelton, currently leading the British trainers’ championship, has enjoyed a remarkable spell at Cheltenham, with seven of his 11 Festival victories coming since 2023. Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson remains one of the meeting’s most successful figures, having saddled 75 winners, second only to Willie Mullins.
As the new season unfolds, several British-trained horses are already shaping up as serious contenders for Cheltenham in March.
Old Park Star has emerged as an exciting prospect for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Nicky Henderson’s record in the race speaks for itself, and this promising novice caught the eye with an impressive win at Cheltenham in December, barely asked for an effort by Nico de Boinville. His performance suggested he could follow in the footsteps of Henderson greats who have dominated the Festival opener.
Another Henderson-trained runner generating strong expectations is Lulamba, who looks tailor-made for the Arkle Novices’ Chase. Lightly raced over fences, he has already claimed two convincing victories, including a Grade 1 success at Sandown. Having finished second in last season’s Triumph Hurdle, he appears to have made a seamless transition to chasing.
Paul Nicholls may have a major player in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle with No Drama This End. The unbeaten gelding has made a powerful impression so far, including a commanding Grade 2 win at Sandown. Nicholls has spoken highly of him, and a strong showing in the Challow Hurdle could further strengthen his Festival credentials.
Kabral Du Mathan represents Dan Skelton’s ambitions in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Since switching yards in the summer, the improving gelding has thrived, producing a smooth success at Haydock when stepped up in distance. A run in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham is expected to provide a clearer guide to his stamina and top-level potential.
In the Gold Cup picture, The Jukebox Man could become Britain’s leading hope. Trained by Ben Pauling, the unbeaten chaser has already proved himself at Grade 1 level and faces a key test in the King George at Kempton. A strong performance there would firmly place him among the serious contenders for racing’s ultimate staying chase.
About the author
UK Boards Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker
British forces have intercepted and boarded a sanctioned oil tanker believed to be part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet during a major operation in the English Channel, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday. The operation, which lasted approximately six hours, involved Royal Marine Commandos, specialist officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA), and support from the Royal Air Force. It marked the first time UK authorities have boarded a sanctioned vessel linked to Russia while transiting through British waters. According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the tanker, identified as Smyrtos, has been detained and will remain under close monitoring off England’s southern coast while investigations continue. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the mission as a significant step in efforts to enforce sanctions against Russia. “This successful operation delivers another blow to Russia and sends a clear message to […]
US and Iran Move Closer to Major Agreement
The United States and Iran appear to be moving closer to a major agreement aimed at easing months of military tensions between the two countries. President Donald Trump announced that a formal deal could be signed on Sunday, although Iranian officials have expressed caution regarding the timeline. In a message shared on social media, Trump stated that the agreement was expected to be finalized soon. He also said that the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping routes for oil and natural gas, would be reopened to all maritime traffic immediately after the deal takes effect. Pakistan, which has played a mediation role in the negotiations, also expressed optimism about the progress made. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said a final agreement could be concluded within 24 hours and noted that preparations were underway for an electronic signing […]
Un nouvel ambassadeur du Brésil prend fonction au Togo
Le ministre togolais des Affaires étrangères, Robert Dussey, a reçu samedi la copie figurée des lettres de créance de Luiz Ivaldo Villafañe Gomes Santos, nommé nouvel ambassadeur du Brésil auprès de la République togolaise. Cette démarche protocolaire marque une étape importante dans la prise de fonctions du diplomate brésilien à Lomé. Elle précède la présentation officielle de ses lettres de créance au chef de l’État, conformément aux usages diplomatiques. L’arrivée du nouvel ambassadeur s’inscrit dans la dynamique de coopération entretenue entre le Togo et le Brésil depuis plusieurs années. Les deux pays collaborent dans divers domaines et affichent leur volonté de renforcer davantage leurs relations bilatérales. À travers cette nomination, Brasília réaffirme son engagement à consolider les liens d’amitié et de partenariat avec le Togo, notamment dans les secteurs présentant un intérêt commun pour les deux nations. Les autorités togolaises […]
FOODIES 228 lance la vente directe de produits locaux
La plateforme FOODIES 228, portée par une coopérative féminine engagée dans la valorisation des produits locaux, a lancé une nouvelle initiative visant à rapprocher les consommateurs des produits transformés au Togo. Dans le cadre de cette démarche, la coopérative prévoit d’organiser chaque mois des journées d’exposition et de vente dans différentes administrations, entreprises et institutions à travers le pays. L’objectif est de promouvoir la consommation locale tout en offrant une meilleure visibilité aux produits issus de la transformation agroalimentaire nationale. Pour cette première opération, les membres de FOODIES 228 ont installé leur espace de vente au sein de la Direction du conditionnement des produits (DCP), située dans la zone portuaire de Lomé. L’initiative bénéficie du soutien du Comité de coordination pour les filières café et cacao (CCFCC), qui accompagne les actions destinées à renforcer la promotion des produits locaux et […]
Le Togo investit 641 millions FCFA dans l’aquaculture
Le gouvernement togolais poursuit ses efforts pour développer le secteur aquacole avec le lancement de la deuxième phase du projet national de développement de l’aquaculture. Un investissement de 641 millions de francs CFA est prévu pour renforcer les infrastructures de production et soutenir la croissance durable de la filière. Cette nouvelle étape vise à accroître les capacités de production piscicole du pays tout en améliorant l’organisation du secteur afin de répondre à la demande croissante en produits halieutiques. Dans le cadre du projet, quatre retenues d’eau seront aménagées dans le village de Hountowou, situé dans la préfecture du Bas-Mono. Ces infrastructures couvriront une superficie totale de 15,53 hectares et devraient offrir de nouvelles opportunités aux producteurs locaux. Grâce à sa proximité avec le fleuve Mono, le Bas-Mono est considéré comme une zone stratégique pour le développement des activités aquacoles. Les […]
La LTPE inspecte 315 écoles du Grand Lomé
À l’approche de la Journée de l’enfant africain, célébrée chaque année le 16 juin, les initiatives se multiplient au Togo pour améliorer le bien-être des élèves dans les établissements scolaires. Cette année, la commémoration est placée sous le thème : « Garantir l’accès universel à l’eau, à l’assainissement et à l’hygiène pour chaque enfant en Afrique ». Un sujet qui met en lumière l’importance des infrastructures sanitaires dans le développement et la protection des enfants. Dans ce contexte, la Ligue togolaise pour la protection de l’enfant (LTPE) a lancé une opération d’évaluation des infrastructures d’eau, d’hygiène et d’assainissement dans 315 établissements scolaires du Grand Lomé. Cette mission vise à dresser un état des lieux des équipements existants afin d’identifier les insuffisances et les besoins prioritaires. Les résultats de cette inspection devraient permettre de proposer des mesures concrètes pour la réhabilitation […]
Related
Former Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim emerges as leading AC Milan candidate
Former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly in contention for the managerial position at AC Milan after the dismissal of Max Allegri following a disappointing conclusion to their Serie A campaign. Amorim's tenure at Manchester United came to an end in January, marking a lackluster period at Old Trafford. Having been without a managerial role for the past six months, Amorim now has a chance to take the helm at one of Europe's most prestigious clubs. AC Milan is actively seeking a new coach and is set to reach out to various candidates after parting ways with Allegri once the Serie A season concluded. In addition to Amorim, AC Milan's management is also considering Oliver Glasner, another manager currently without a position, who has a provisional two-year contract offer on the table. During his tenure at Sporting CP, Oliver […]
Folarin Balogun scores brace as USA thrash Paraguay 4-1
United States striker Folarin Balogun scored two goals to help the U.S. men's national team beat Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Inglewood, California. This was Balogun's World Cup debut in what Mauricio Pochettino's enthusiastic squad call a "dreamy night" for the striker. Balogun became the first U.S. men's national team player to score two goals in a World Cup game since the inaugural tournament in 1930. The Americans took the lead early in the seventh minute due to an own goal from Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla, then extended their advantage with Balogun's strikes in the 31st minute and in first-half stoppage time to end the first half with a commanding three-goal advantage. Balogun netted his first goal in the 31st minute as Christian Pulisic's deflected centering feed sat up perfectly for him to […]
An unusual World Cup marked by hostile reception for fans and teams
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, has been described as unusual and hostile, with passionate football fans facing visa barriers, inflated prices and poor facilities across the three host nations. Group-stage ticket prices have already been called "unusual and inflated" by supporters, while fans complain that the passionate supporters should not be cut off from the World Cup because of money. Stadiums have appeared empty at times, training pitches are poor, and airports have been described as obstacles rather than welcoming entry points for international visitors. Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa expressed frustration, saying "If the stadiums are empty, the training pitches are poor, and even the airports feel like obstacles, then what are we really celebrating?" Instead of discussing superstars and football teams, the focus has shifted to poor facilities, organization and […]
Super Eagles maintain 26th FIFA ranking after June matches
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have maintained their 26th position in the latest FIFA Men's World Rankings released on June 11, 2026, before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria holds 1585.02 ranking points, showing stability in their global standing with a slight decrease of just 0.07 points from their previous total of 1585.09. According to the official FIFA rankings, Nigeria is currently ranked third in Africa, following strong performances in recent international matches. The team climbed 12 places to reach 26th position in the January 2026 FIFA rankings, marking one of their biggest recent improvements in the global standings. The June 2026 FIFA rankings place Nigeria between South Korea at 25th position with 1591.63 points and Australia at 27th position with 1579.34 points. The African nations in the rankings include Morocco at 7th position with 1755.10 points, […]
Ronaldo backs Portugal to shine at 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America
Cristiano Ronaldo has selected in Portugal's provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking his historic attempt to play in a record sixth World Cup tournament. The 41-year-old Portuguese icon is set to compete in the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, where Portugal will face DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia in Group K. Ronaldo and Portugal have been training at Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras as preparations get underway for the tournament that runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The team is preparing for their Group K campaign with their opening match against DR Congo in Houston, Texas. The Portuguese squad includes notable players such as Bernardo Silva and Rúben Neves, who trained alongside Ronaldo during the session. Ronaldo has been seen speaking with head coach Roberto Martínez before joining the squad on […]
Nigeria misses 2026 World Cup again after dramatic penalty shootout loss to DR Congo
Nigeria will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a dramatic penalty shootout in the CAF World Cup playoff final in Rabat on Sunday. The Super Eagles beat Gabon 4-1 in the semifinals after extra time, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice and Chidera Ejuke adding a goal, but their World Cup hopes crashed in dramatic fashion. The match ended 1-1 after the standard 90 minutes against DR Congo, with the game going into extra time. Nigeria advanced 4-1 after extra time against Gabon, but could not overcome DR Congo in the final. The match went to penalties where Nigeria lost 3-4, with missed penalty kicks ending their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The decision by Éric Chelle, coach of DR Congo, to accuse the opposing side of using "voodoo" […]