Henry De Bromhead

Henry de Bromhead heads into the 2026 Cheltenham Festival with 25 winners already to his name, and he reports his squad in good health as preparations enter the final stretch. The Co Waterford trainer explained that many of his horses were eased after Christmas, a routine that has served the yard well in previous seasons.

De Bromhead described it as a case of sticking to what works: run them through the winter, back off for a few weeks, then build them back up for March. While each horse is treated individually, he admits the Christmas-to-Cheltenham route has become a familiar and successful pattern.

One of the headline acts is Envoi Allen, who delighted connections once again with a rousing performance at Down Royal. De Bromhead spoke warmly about the reception the horse receives there and described him as a “class” individual with a huge fan base.

This season, however, the plan is to step him up into the Gold Cup rather than stick to the Ryanair route. Having already won a Gold Cup with A Plus Tard for the Thompsons, he knows how much the race means to the owners and believes Envoi Allen’s rock-solid form entitles him to take his chance in what he considers an open renewal.

Stablemate Bob Olinger, last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle winner, also earned glowing praise. De Bromhead admitted he never goes to Cheltenham expecting victory as a given, but the manner of Bob Olinger’s three-mile success stood out. He credited both the horse’s class and the ride delivered by Rachael Blackmore. After a pleasing comeback run at Christmas, where he just got tired late on, the trainer expects him to come on significantly for the outing and reports him in “mighty form” ahead of a return to the Festival.

In the Ryanair picture, Heart Wood is likely to head back to the same contest after running well in it last year. De Bromhead suggested they may adopt more positive tactics this time around.

Meanwhile, Quilixios is being readied for the two-mile division, though he has had minor setbacks. A recent piece of work pleased the trainer, and if he comes through his next assignment in similar fashion, he could line up fresh. Captain Guinness remains in the mix too, but must justify his place with a strong run at Naas on Trials Day.

Among the novice chasers, The Big Westerner has impressed since switching to fences and could be aimed at the three-mile novice contest, although ground conditions will influence the final call. Cocktail Divin is another prominent Brown Advisory contender after a Leopardstown performance that de Bromhead felt confirmed his steady progression.

He believes the gelding will stay three miles on good ground, suggesting Punchestown’s testing conditions may have stretched him earlier in the season. July Flower holds entries in both the Arkle and the Mares’ Chase, but the latter appears the more likely destination at this stage.

The yard’s strength in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle division could again be significant. Echoing Silence enhanced her reputation with an impressive Punchestown success on ground that may not even have suited her ideally. De Bromhead noted hermaiden hurdle form is working out well and confirmed she has been put away specifically for the Festival.

Full Of Life is also on course after pleasing work at home, with connections believing her optimum trip is two miles.

Handicap plans are still being finalised.

Downmexicoway could step up in trip for either the Plate or a novice handicap chase, though the Grand Annual remains an option. Waterford Whispers has rediscovered form at Leopardstown after a mid-season lull and could return to a race like the Martin Pipe, where he previously went close. Elsewhere, A Short Go is pencilled in for the Ultima, while other potential handicap runners include Its Bilbo, Ballyadam and Air Of Entitlement in races such as the Coral Cup.

Looking further down the novice ranks, Kings Bucks and Fruits De Mer are possible Albert Bartlett candidates, with de Bromhead describing Kings Bucks as a still-progressive maiden and Fruits De Mer as a horse who shaped like a thorough stayer when running well in Grade 1 company at Naas. Overall, the trainer conveyed quiet confidence rather than bold predictions, but with strength across the championship, novice and handicap divisions, his stable once again looks set to play a major role at Cheltenham.