Man City star Kyle Walker fist pumps after landing winner at Cheltenham Festival

He is a proven winner for Manchester City who has done it all, but it appears Kyle Walker secured another big victory for himself at the Cheltenham Festival

Posted Wednesday, March 13, 2024 by Dailystar.co.uk

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker landed a winner at the Cheltenham Festival.

Last year, Walker, 33, won the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup in a historic Treble winning season for Pep Guardiola's side - and it turns out the England international also has an eye for winners in horse racing.

The former Tottenham Hotspur ace was snapped celebrating at Cheltenham after Gaelic Warrior won the second race of the day. Wearing a light blue shirt, Walker also had a glass of beer in his hands.

Bet365 priced Gaelic Warrior at 5/2 to win the My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase at 2:10. The bay gelding was the 95th Cheltenham Festival winner for world famous horse trainer Willie Mullins.

As Mullins celebrated his victory, Walker cheered and fist-pumped from the balcony of his hospitality suite. Gaelic Warrior was one of the favourites heading into the race, but had never won at the festival before.

Before the race, Mullins took a risk by putting a hood over the talented, but notoriously erratic, six-year-old. After Paul Townend smoothly rode to victory, Mullins said: "It's a huge relief. I'm delighted because in the parade ring I thought he was going to get very upset. He was wound up as they went around.

"Paul got him out on the track and he settled down once he got out away from the crowd. I think the application of the hood has made him so much easier to ride. Paul said he was a dream ride. He settled in lovely in behind the horses, like a normal horse. It's fantastic."

Meanwhile, Walker will have to shift his attention back to the races he and his team-mates are involved in. City survived a Liverpool onslaught by managing to hold the Merseysiders' to a 1-1 away draw at Anfield in the Premier League.

After they host Newcastle United in the FA Cup Final, the Citizens have another potential title decider against table toppers Arsenal on March 31.