"GOOD horses don't win two Gold Cups, it takes a great horse to win two of them." That was the opinion given by leading Irish jockey Robbie Power when he was asked about Bobs Worth's chances of victory in the big one at this year's Cheltenham Festival. Power was speaking at the Sean Graham/Irish News Cheltenham Preview Night at the Europa Hotel on Monday night, and a number of his fellow panellists at the top table nodded their heads in agreement with his assessment. Hosted by Gary O'Brien, Irish racing correspondent for Attheraces, the evening threw up a wide variety of opinions, with some horses rubbished and talked up within seconds of each other. At last year's preview show, Bobs Worth (below) was described as "bombproof" for the Gold Cup, yet despite his win then, and his unbeaten record at Prestbury Park, the experts were more reticent about his chances this time around. Power used Kauto Star, the last winner of two Gold Cups, as an example of 'a great horse' and pointed out that even he couldn't win two in-a-row, and he was in no doubt that Bob's Worth will fail to retain his crown next Friday. Richard Hoiles of Racing UK and Channel 4 was a bit more reluctant to dismiss the chances of Nicky Henderson's star, but was keen to point out that winning the Gold Cup does leave a huge mark on a horse, and suggested a look for an alternative elsewhere, with Rocky Creek put up as a live outsider. Indeed, none of the panel - which also consisted of colourful racing writer Mark 'The Couch' Winstanley, leading Irish trainer Gordon Elliott, and Ronan and Brian Graham from Sean Graham Bookmakers - picked Bobs Worth, which makes a mockery of the current odds of no bigger than 2/1 about him retaining his crown. Second-favourite, and King George winner, Silvianico Conti was also overlooked - "a three-mile flat track horse" according to Hoiles - with the general consensus being that this is a weak renewal of the race which could throw up a shock winner at a very big price. Winstanley informed the huge crowd that he'd had a punt on Teaforthree at 100/1 and was chuffed to learn that AP McCoy would be riding the ante-post Grand National favourite. "There won't be much 100/1 around for long then," said Ronan Graham, clearly wary of the McCoy factor. Perhaps the most informative insight into this race came from Power, whose tales from the weighing room were fascinating throughout the night. The National-winning rider revealed the thing that disappointed his colleague Davy Russell most about losing his job as Gigginstown's number one jockey was missing out on Last Instalment in this race. We were told that Russell is a massive fan, and believes Philip Fenton's stable star, third-favourite at a biggest price of 7/1, is "10 times the horse that Sir Des Champs is". That's the same Sir Des Champs who was second to Bobs Worth a year ago. Food for thought indeed. OF course, there was plenty of chat about the other big races on the card, particularly the World Hurdle. Thursday's feature looks to be a fascinating match between Paul Nicholls's four-time winner Big Buck's and Willie Mullins's unbeaten mare Annie Power, the young star of the hurdling game. Ronan Graham was most vocal in his admiration for the latter, although he wasn't convinced she'll go in this race. "She's a machine," he said. "Big Buck's won't be within 10 lengths of her if she runs." There were a few gasps around the room at that claim, but Robbie Power backed it up with his opinion that "Annie Power will win with her head in her chest". "Lump on," was his advice. Interestingly, though, both he and O'Brien stated that she wasn't the Mullins yard's banker of the week. Rather, those connected with the Irish champion trainer are all drooling over the claims of last year's Champion Bumper winner Briar Hill (right) in the Albert Bartlett, who was 3/1 at the time of writing. It should be a thrilling week at Prestbury Park, and the crowds at the Europa were left to count down the hours until it all gets going. I can't wait. * ALL TALK: The debate rages at the top table during Monday night's Sean Graham/Irish News Cheltenham Preview Night at the Europa Hotel. The panel are (l-r) Channel 4 and Racing UK commentator Richard Hoiles, leading Irish trainer Gordon Elliott, Brian Graham of Sean Graham Bookmakers, leading jockey Robbie Power, racing journalist and punter Mark 'The Couch' Winstanley, and Gary O'Brien, Irish racing correspondent for Atthreaces Picture: Cliff Donaldson
