Alan Brazil is a cult hero of the Cheltenham Festival, but that could be about to change this year.
That’s if rumours of a Guinness shortage at the event are to be believed, with the talkSPORT host threatening drastic action.
With just a month to go until the iconic festival kicks off, there has been growing concern that supplies of the famous ‘black stuff’ could run dry.
This comes after reports of pubs being rationed and some running out completely at the end of 2024, sparking fears that Cheltenham could be affected.
The drink is hugely popular at the four-day event, with more than 265,000 pints of Guinness being consumed last year.
That’s enough to fill three Olympic swimming pools.
And if there’s one person who has enjoyed their fair share of that gargantuan amount, then it’s broadcasting legend Brazil.
The host was a no-show for talkSPORT Breakfast on the festival’s final day last year, before eventually being found two days later in the festival’s famous Guinness Village.
When asked what his response would be if his favourite tipple were to be missing in 2025, Brazil was clear: “We don’t go!”
The Scot then warned that a Guinness drought would spark devastation among spectators.
Furious, he continued: “Fans would go ballistic, the charge at 10:30am when the gates open, they’d be in mourning!”
“There has to be Guinness at Cheltenham! Ridiculous!”
And Brazil certainly has a point, with Guinness exploding in popularity in recent years through social media hype and its sponsorship with major sporting events, such as the Six Nations and now the Premier League.
So much so, in fact, that the Irish stout ranked as the best-selling pint in British pubs in 2023.
Fortunately for Brazil and the 280,000 expected spectators, their worst fears are unlikely to come true.
The Sun has reported that key events, including Cheltenham, are ring-fenced by suppliers to ensure there is always enough available.
It will come at a cost however, with a pint of the in-demand tipple set for a 30p increase on 2024 prices, rising to £7.80.
But this is unlikely to bother Brazil, who admitted his two-day absence at the end of last year’s festival had been caused by him being too busy enjoying his favourite drink.
Explaining his Cheltenham whereabouts, Brazil said: “Well I am always in the corner of the Guinness Village tent, always! It is fantastic.
“So many people come by year after year. It is the world cup of national racing. It’s wonderful, I’ve now got to do a little bit of corporate hospitality.
“But the Guinness, in that corner. I’ll be there all the time!”
And it now appears Brazil will be able to make even more happy memories at Cheltenham this year.
The festival, which is seen as the pinnacle of the jump racing season, begins on Tuesday, March 11, with Gold Cup day set for Friday as usual.
Paul Townend has won the previous two on the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs.
The trio will be aiming to make it three wins in a row, with the last horse to achieve that feat being Best Mate in 2004.
The prize money for the race is £625,000, with £351,687 going to the winner.
