Why Grand National hero Noble Yeats has ‘changed direction’ at the Cheltenham Festival

Jennifer Donald's avatar
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Published In Features
Noble Yeats and Sam Waley-Cohen en route to winning the 2022 Randox Grand National at Aintree.
Noble Yeats and Sam Waley-Cohen en route to winning the 2022 Randox Grand National at Aintree.
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Irish trainer Emmet Mullins’ decision to enter the 2022 Grand National hero Noble Yeats for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (12-15 March) could prove a very shrewd move.

“Noble Yeats is bouncing,” says the County Carlow trainer. “He definitely improved a lot between his run at Limerick over Christmas, which he needed [finishing second to uncle Willie Mullins’ Sa Majeste], and the Cleeve Hurdle [at Cheltenham in January, which he won, beating Paisley Park]. Noble Yeats should come on again and it was good to see him win the Cleeve.”

Jennifer Donald
Jennifer Donald
Showjumping and racing editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.