I have always been a great fan of the Cheltenham Festival, one of the world's great horseracing events. Had my successes, and, of course, disappointments. Which gets me to this Pertemps Final. For the life of me I have never understood what all the damn fuss is about with this multitude of qualifiers. Goodness me, it is a Grade-3 Handicap Hurdle over just under 3-miles. So what in hell is the big deal about that? There are plenty of other genuinely top-class races to enjoy. The Pertemps Final is way down on my list! .................... "The Pertemps Final is a Grade Three National Hunt hurdle race in the UK which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles (2 miles 7 furlongs and 213 yards, or 4,785 metres), and during its running there are twelve hurdles to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March." .................... Guess I would be put in the stocks at the entrance to the Festival grounds for saying this, or even made to stand in a coconut shy, but it's all about opinions!
To be fair to APT the de Bromhead stable isnt in great form at the moment and he only got done on the line so it's not all doom n gloom for APT backers...
Stayer's Hurdle betting: Klassical Dream @ 5/2 Champ @ 4/1 Flooring Porter @ 6/1 Thyme Hill @ 6/1 12/1 bar I still don't have Champ going for this and I think KD has Flooring Porters number now leaving Thyme Hill as the main challenger come March unless something is going to spring from the pack...
I like it because it takes a lot of skill to get the right horse qualified on a winning mark and then get it there in one piece and do the business. All the way back to the Maestro himself, Marin Pipe, with Unsinkable Boxer. According to McCoy in his autobiography, Pipe told him before the race "this horse is the biggest certainty to ever run"
Bloody hell that is how to jump fences!!!! What an amazing display from Galopin Des Champs. The Golden Miller with him against Bravemansgame could be another duel to look forward to.
