That Was The Week That Was | Horse Racing

Well, sadly, it's all over for another year. The Cheltenham festival, with all its highs and lows, has held us enthralled all week and has delivered all we could have hoped for, and more.

Tuesday

..................... will be a day that goes down in history, with Hurricane Fly becoming only the 2nd horse ever to regain the Champion Hurdle crown, and the marvellous mare Quevega completing the 5-timer in more dramatic fashion than most of us would have expected. Day 1 belonged to the mercurial partnership of Mullins and Walsh, a spectacular treble kicked off by Champagne Fever in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, the traditional curtain-raiser, whose guttaral roar was so nearly nipped in the bud by Jack Frost. The true heroes of the week were indeed the ground staff under the expert leadership of Simon Claisse, providing on each day as near to perfect going as was humanly possible. As Champagne Fever was nudged around the final bend by Ruby Walsh, the covers on the old course caught the eye momentarily, before the powerfully-travelling My Tent Or Yours grappled for the attention of the avid viewer. For he came there travelling unbelieveably well, and Ruby's mount looked like a sitting duck coming to the last. But, as so often up the hill, the race changed after the last and Champagne Fever showed a dogged resolution and My Tent Or Yours had no more to give. Next up was the Arkle, and looking back you have to say the race was a disappointment. The ground went right against Overturn and, even before his shuddering mistake at the 3rd last, it looked like the game was up. Simonsig's jumping was sketchy, and he was nowhere near as impressive as his stablemate Sprinter Sacre had been 12 months earlier. The one to emerge with credit was 2nd placed Baily Green who ran on with great credit and caused a few moments of anxiety for the grey's supporters. The Champion Hurdle proved no such disappointment, with reigning champ Rock On Ruby making it a true test by going on from the offset, and the winning time of just a touch under 4 minutes, on soft going, stands up to the closest scrutiny. On the prevailing going, this was a true test and I'm sure it will stand the test of time. Halfway down the back straight, Ruby was showing the first signs of anxiety and asked The Fly to close up on the leading group, who were still going well. As Grandouet came down at the flight at the top of the hill, Ruby's urgings began to bear fruit and the 2011 champ was closing up on the leaders. Coming down the hill hell for leather, he came back on the bridle on the outside and, coming round the final bend, he swept majestically to the front, pinged the final hurdle and stayed on well up the hill to the delight of his followers. After this display, there can now be no doubt that Hurricane Fly is one of THE true great Champion Hurdlers. With the abandonment of the Cross Country Chase, it was Quevega's turn just 40 minutes later. Attempting her 5th consecutive festival win (something only Golden Miller had previously achieved with 5 Gold Cup wins in the 1930s), she was lobbing along in midfield at the top of the hill when the unthinkable almost happened. Whether she clipped heels or stumbled, Ruby was up around her neck and she nearly tipped up. Coming down the hill, Ruby allowed her time to get back into her stride, before asking her to go after the leaders approaching the 2nd last. But with the French horse flying in front, she had a mountain to climb coming round the final bend. Storming up the hill, she had closed to 4th place approaching the final flight, and she winged it in tremendous style, giving her the momentum to pull readily to the front and win going away. One of the most dramatic victories Cheltenham has ever seen, and further evidence of the genius that is Willie Mullins, again producing her cherry ripe to win this. For there can be no doubt, she was spot on here. If she'd only been 90% she wouldn't have got up. Spine-tingling stuff.

Wednesday

........................... left me gobsmacked. It all started withthe 4-miler, the oldest race of the entire festival, and there was drama a plenty as Rival D'Estruval fell at the 2nd last, leaving Nina Carberry way out in front on Tofino Bay, with the Graham Wylie horse Back In Focus looked held in 2nd under trainers son Patrick Mullins. But as so often happens, Tofino Bay got lonely in front and started looking around, and the favourite, under a powerful drive from young Patrick, edged inexorably closer and passed the Gigginstown horse so close to the line that no response was possible. We saw tears afterwards from the great trainer, and it wouldn't be the last time this week. On we went to the Neptune, and in the very next race we had another incredible father-and-son story. Popular local trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was telling anyone who would listen for months before the race, The New One was one of the best, if not THE BEST, horse he has ever trained. Beaten on bottomless ground for stamina by At Fishers Cross (remember that name) last time out at Cheltenham on bottomless ground, jockey Sam Twiston-Davis felt he had committed too soon on The New One and had clearly learnt the lesson here. Irish hotpot Pont Alexandre made it under Ruby Walsh, and as they reached the bottom of the hill and came round the final bend, there were 5 or 6 still very well grouped together. As they set off up the hill, the Mouse Morris trained Rule The world edged past Pont Alexandre but The New One, switched over to the stands rail by Sam, looked like he had just jumped in and accelerated past them in the style of a very, very good horse. Previous champions Hardy Eustace and Istabraq had taken this prior to winning the Champion Hurdle and The New One looks like a serious contender for next years crown. In the winners enclosure there were great family scenes as father Nigel hugged son Sam and the other son, young William who is now riding on the flat with great success, gave an interview which belied his tender years. A heart-warming victory. The RSA came next and again we had final-fence drama with Boston Bob, looking all over the winner, tipping up at the last, allowing the Jim Culloty trained Lord Windemere to claim the prize. Fitting that Best Mate's jockey should land his first big prize as a trainer on this hallowed turf. We then had the Sprinter Sacre show which, at first glance felt like "Oh yeah, he's won again, really easily". But then you watch the replay, and realise who the horse in 2nd place is, and how far clear he is of the 3rd placed horse, and you start to think .................... oh my god. He's beaten a 172-rated chaser 19 lengths without coming off the bridle.The 3rd was 6 lengths back and rated 162, so it stacks up. He really is that good. If anything could ever give him a race, he really could post a 200 performance. If.

Thursday

...................... has never been my favourite day of the festival and to be honest left me feeling underwhelmed, which is probably a dis-service to all concerned. The Jewson was notable for the emergence of Bryan Cooper and the resolute victory of Benefficient, and the following Pertemps showed the power of headgear (cough). The Ryanair was turned into a procession by the excellent Cue Card, who will surely light up our lives for the next couple of years at intermediate trips. The World Hurdle saw Solwhit, multiple Grade 1 winner in years gone by, successfully step up in trip in the absence of Big Buck's, and the horse and connections deserved their victory on the big stage after fighting back against injury. Big Buck's will cane him next year though. The day was marred though by the shocking injury to JT McNamara who was arilifted to a specialist spinal injuries unit after crushing 2 vertebrae and his whole future hangs in the balance. Thoughts go out to him and his family, tough it out JT

Friday

...................... as always the grand final and a day that bookmakers will want to forget. Our Conor pulverised the field in the Triumph in emphatic style and adds even more spice to next year's Champion Hurdle. At Fishers Cross romped home to give AP his first winner of the festival, the favourite Bobs Worth won the Gold Cup under an inspired Barry Geraghty. Salsify defended his Foxhunters crown under bizarre circumstances as Oscar Delta swerved violently after the last, with the race looking won, and dumped poor Jane Mangan on the ground. After 3 days without a winner, AP completed a double on the day by steering the well-backed favourite Alderwood to victory in the Johnny Henderson - a very public advertisement of the merits of protecting a handicap mark.

But what will stay with me from this day of Kings is the humility, the emotion, the concern and the love for JT McNamara shown by everyone in those post-race interviews. Muted celebrtations, voices choking on the words, and the touching sight of JP McManus unable to continue as emotion got the better of him when interviewed by Clare Balding.

We were lucky to see such wonderful human and equine performances during this wonderful week. But we were even luckier to see something that was truly moving - the comradeship, depth of feeling, emotion and spirit amongst these hard-working folk who are up at the crack of dawn, day-in, day-out, in all weather, pursuing this profession, this obsession, this marvellous sport which can leave us breathless, speechless, mystified, unbelieving and yet, time and time again, utterly captivated.

361 days until the 2014 festival.

 

Top, top summary Oddy

 

Sounds sensible Bob. What would you do with Captain Conan?

 

you think he'd get 20F in the Melling?