New Cheltenham Festival lager with cruel name released just in time to wind up British racing fans

THERE'S some optimism for British racing fans heading into Cheltenham, despite the strength of the Irish contingent making the trip.

However it looks like it could be tears for the British once again at the big festival on these shores - in more ways than one.

That's because leading bookmaker and continual wind-up merchants Paddy Power have released a specially commissioned lager for Gold Cup day named just that - British Tears.

Paddy Power are celebrating the first ever Cheltenham Fanzone at Greenwood Sports Pub and Kitchen near Victoria in London City by releasing the limited-edition drink to poke yet more fun at British racing fans.

A St Patrick's Day drink will be poured for those in attendance at the fanzone if an Irish horse wins on the Friday.

It's currently 1/2 with the firm that Ireland will clean up at least 19 winners from the 28 races across the four days.

They've clinched the Prestbury Cup against the Brits in recent years by winning 18 races last year, 23 in 2021 and 17 in the year before that, after a draw in 2019.

Indeed, you have to go all the way back to 2015 for the last British success at the Festival.

And the leading raiders from across the Irish Sea trained by Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead and Co are likely to do big damage again this time around.

And mischievous Paddy Power are already gloating ahead of the expected results by releasing this home brew, created in partnership with a craft brewery in Dublin.

Rachael Kane, spokesperson from Paddy Power said: "The Irish horse racing contingent’s performance at the Cheltenham Festival in recent years has been so dominant that it could hardly be scripted better for those looking for a free pint.

"To celebrate their inevitable success we've created a limited-edition lager to treat punters in our London fanzone to a taste of ‘British Tears’. 

"Hopefully it won’t prove as difficult to swallow as the taste of defeat.”

The Paddy Power Cheltenham Fanzone will be at Greenwood Sports Pub & Kitchen, London on March 17, from 10am – 10pm. Tickets are available for £20 at www.paddypower.com/fanzone

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