Excitement around Littleton as Tipperary jockey Sean Quinlan goes in search of Gold Cup glory

Gold Cup Day in Cheltenham is always a special day and even more so as it falls on St. Patrick's Day this year, but for one small homely village in mid Tipperary the excitement levels will reach fever pitch.

The day will start in Littleton with the traditional parade through the village at 10.30am until lunch time, and then all eyes will move swiftly to Cheltenham where local hero Sean Quinlan rides ‘Sounds Russian’ in the Cheltenham Gold Cup at 3.30pm.

The eight-year-old Sholokov gelding has quietly been building towards the big day, winning four out of nine starts over fences in recent times as well as finishing runner-up in three other races.

Trained by Ruth Jefferson, the stage is set for Sound Russian in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup which is 3m 2f 70y and draws some of the best horses in the world. Galopin Des Champs. A Plus Tard and Noble Yeats are among the favourites for the race, but Sounds Russian is a good each way bet and can be got at 25/1 in the markets. 

It has been a sensational week of racing so far, the highlight for many so far was an emotional victory when Rachael Blackmore rode to glory aboard Honeysuckle on Monday afternoon. In an interview immediately afterwards, the Killenaule jockey mentioned young Jack De Bromhead who passed away in recent months.

All of Littleton waits now with a tinge of excitement to see what will unfold next in Cheltenham, as Sean Quinlan prepares to compete in the prestigious Gold Cup race. What a hooley will erupt if he brings home the cup.