MAJBOROUGH is being aimed at next Sunday’s Grade 2 Bar 1 Hilly Way Chase at Cork Racecourse. The multiple Grade 1 winner is potentially the best National Hunt horse in training, based on his novice chase form from last season.

So impressive in victory at both the Dublin Racing Festival and Punchestown Festival earlier in the year, the Willie Mullins-trained five year-old was undoubtedly an unlucky loser in the Arkle at Cheltenham, finishing a close third following a serious jumping error at the second last fence.

Majborough was one of four horses who crossed the line close together in that race and the other three – Jango Baie, Only By Night and L’Eau De Sud – have all posted impressive wins already this season. Trained by Willie Mullins, Majborough is younger than all of them.

Frank Berry, racing manager to Majborough’s owner J.P. McManus, told The Irish Field this week: “It was just one of those things at Cheltenham, he misfired on the day. Willie is happy with him, he’s in good form and everyone is looking forward to Cork.”

Mullins has won the Hilly Way Chase a staggering 16 times in the past 18 years. Former champion chaser Energumene has won three of the past four runnings, although he was arguably fortunate to win in 2024 as Banbridge was only a length down when unseating his rider at the final fence. Banbridge won the King George VI Chase at Kempton on his next start.

His trainer Joseph O’Brien has indicated that Banbridge could again make his seasonal debut in the Hilly Way Chase, setting up a mouth-watering duel.

The Cork card has a strong record in producing high quality winners. Last year the opening three-year-old hurdle was won by the Joseph O’Brien-trained Puturhandstogether, who went on to win the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival by six lengths and most recently won the €600,000 Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh.

Pray Tell, trained locally by Des Kenneally, was a popular winner of the Grade 3 Stayers’ Novice Hurdle at this meeting in 2024, and the Grade 2 Coolmore NH Mares’ Novice Chase was won by the aforementioned Only By Night, who was just pipped on the line at Cheltenham by Jango Baie.

Cork Racecourse manager Eoghan O’Grady said: “We’ve had a great year so far and this is our biggest meeting of all. It always draws a big crowd and we’re fortunate that Willie Mullins always supports the feature race so well. We’ve had some very good winners down the years. The Grade 2 mares’ chase is also a strong race.”

RTÉ Racing will cover next Sunday’s Hilly Way fixture at Cork, and two races on the card will be shown on ITV Racing.

The Hilly Way meeting has enjoyed a bigger media profile in recent years as it no longer clashes with the Durkan Chase at Punchestown. This also allows top riders, such as Paul Townend, to attend.

Cork Racecourse manager Eoghan O’Grady reports that hospitality spaces are close to selling out. General admission tickets can be purchased online in advance for just €15. A social package, which includes racecard, pint, €5 Tote voucher and €5 food voucher, represents excellent value at €30 (minimum purchase two).

Looking further ahead, Cork Racecourse expects a good crowd for its traditional new year meeting on Saturday, January 3rd. O’Grady said: “There’s kind of a festive atmosphere for that meeting. It attracts people who are home for the holiday season before heading back to work or going overseas again.”

Racing at Cork takes a break then until its very popular Student Raceday in March, a meeting which sold out in 15 minutes this year.

Then it’s on to the Easter Festival which runs from Saturday, April 4th to Monday, April 6th in 2026.

Located just outside Mallow town, Cork Racecourse is 35km form Cork city and easily accessible by road and by train. A free shuttle bus service operates between Mallow train station and the track on racedays.

PRICED at just €140 (or only €100 for seniors and students) an annual badge for Cork Racecourse is a great value Christmas gift.

Members gain admission to Cork’s 20 racemeetings in 2026, plus a free racecard, and free admission to a good number of racedays at other racecourses.

You can even upgrade to a premium level annual badge (€220) which gives access to the third floor members’ bar.

One annual member from Kanturk told the racecourse: “My daughter got me an annual membership for Cork Races for Christmas the last few years and it is honestly the best present I’ve ever got!

“I’m retired now and really enjoy planning my month around the races in Cork and all the away days we get free entry to at other racecourses too, I go to as many of them as I can.

“I follow the form between meetings, taking note of horses I liked when I saw them run (the improving kinds) and most of all I really enjoy catching up with like-minded people on racedays, the other members of Cork Racecourse Mallow who have become good friends through the racing over the last couple of years.

“If you’re thinking of getting it for yourself, just do it you won’t regret it and if you’re thinking of buying it as a present they will love it!”

Web: corkracecourse.ie/annual-ticket/