Gavin Lynch tips: 16-1 chance can shine in Triumph
By Gavin Lynch
Last Updated: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Expert pundit Gavin reckons Willie Mullins is in for another day to savour.
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1.20 Cheltenham: Macho Man (each way)
1.20 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
Willie Mullins can finish off this year's Festival with another bang.
He had four winners on this day last year and I fancy that he could have at least the same again this time. His horses are flying just at the right time.
He has nine runners in the Triumph and most have claims. I am going to go for Macho Man at an each-way price.
He cost a lot of money after winning easily from Feel Gut at Auteuil at the beginning of October. He made a mistake early on that day but, overall, he jumped quite well.
Since then, he ran at Fairyhouse on his first start for Mullins and finished second to Proactif. He was a little keen that day has a decent chance of reversing that form, having had more time at Closutton.
Brian Hayes rides, so I’d imagine he will drift in the betting (nothing personal, Brian!) and will hopefully represent value at a decent price. He's 16-1 at the time of typing. Click on the link for Cheltenham Festival betting offers
2.00 Cheltenham: Karbau
2.00 William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
Mullins is careful to mind Paul Townend at Cheltenham. The jockey tends not to ride in handicaps, to try and reduce the risk of injury.
He generally makes an exception with this race and for good reason.
Townend has ridden the winners of three out of the past four County Hurdles on State Man, Absurde and, last year, Kargese.
Most people, including myself, thought he would pick Murcia in this, as that horse was an eye catcher at the DRF when kept very wide.
However, the fact that he has elected to ride Karbau speaks volumes for his chances.
He was third in two Grade One novice hurdles last year at Aintree and Punchestown. He has only had one run this season which was at Naas at the end of January.
He stayed on nicely from a little way back to finish a close second. The form has been boosted, too.
Karbau could improve a lot from his first run of the season and is taken to maintain Townend’s brilliant recent record in this race.
3.20 Cheltenham: Doctor Steinberg
3.20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
This race is traditionally a bookmakers’ dream. The average priced winner of the Albert Bartlett is generally quite high and the last winning favourite was in 2013.
I am hoping that Townend can change that while trying to ride his fourth winner in the race in the past ten years.
Doctor Steinberg was originally seen as more of a summer type and won a bumper at Ballinrobe last May.
He went to Galway at the end of October and jumped well to win easily from Frankie John. Next time, at Navan, he won easily again from Thedeviluno by almost five lengths.
That Paul Nolan-trained runner, as we all know, is currently second favourite for today's race which shows that this is strong form.
Last time, at the Dublin Racing Festival, he won a Grade One novice hurdle over 2m 6f by nine lengths.
This was not a strong Grade One, but you can only beat what is in front of you. He was quite keen, but and showed what a big engine he has by winning well.
Unlike at the DRF, I would imagine that Townend will sit behind the pace and take his time. There are 22 in the race but if he gets reasonable luck in running, he can run a huge race.
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