Thats that for another year.

Very nice thread, BajanSpur (typed from the beach in Barbados? Lucky man ). My highlights and disappointments are all covered by the above excellent comments, so no need to repeat. Strangely, just had the one bet at the Festival, Zarkandar. A fairly modest one as I always have this gut feeling he'll be unlucky at Cheltenham, and so it turned out. My goodness he did look the probable winner before that catastrophic error, but, having said that, Cole Harden was absolutely bounding along and did not stop up the hill, far from it. So I'm not at all sure if Zarkandar could have caught him. Shame about the error, as we would have in all probability seen a hell of a finish to the World Hurdle? Zarkandar owes me nothing, for sure, always runs his heart out and is a grand racehorse.

In conclusion, would love to have said that I backed the winner of the Grand Annual and, in the end, showed a profit, but I didn't. So, BostonBob, you can put away your Alert alarm bell in this instance! Congratulations to all the winners, well done indeed!

 

Great thread and agree with Swanny in that everything I would have said has been covered. I got out of jail through getting a couple of e-ws in each day despite not having a winner all week.

To answer Bajan Spur's question, the Alistair down feature on Thursday was Big Bucks.

 

It was a very good Cheltenham. I personally had very little success until the final day but only bitterness could have stopped anyone enjoying the tidal wave of Britain and Ireland backing the Mullins winners on day one. The fabulous thing about them all was that they were all pretty majestic in winning- Douvan in the Supreme was so unexpected for me- astonishing the ease with which he travelled. I was as disappointed as any seeing Annie fall- it also proved she belongs at a higher level. I hope she fulfills her enormous potential next season over fences. To have the bookies on the ropes with £100m staring them in the face was astonishing and its just a shame she didnt hand them the beating of all beatings. You won't see that again for a long, long time.

The 3m chase division of 2016. Coneygree, Vautour, and Don Poli.

Vautour. What a performance. Where in the world did that come from? He hadn't jumped like that in public ever and he just absolutely handed it to them. Athletic, quick, and imperious. That is the best JLT performance ever so far. We don't yet know for sure what he beat, but I am a massive Apache Stronghold fan so I think Vautour on spring ground might be a seriously special horse. Apache was massively fancied to win the 3m Grade 1 over Christmas but ran into Don Poli- who franked the form in no uncertain terms. He has to convince me in winter ground- but that is the only thing that would concern me in a King George. If he jumps and travels like he did on Thursday- nothing will beat him on that track.

Don Poli- the absolute nailed on Cheltenham specialist. The one who will definitely come up the hill at the end of 3m 2f. Not flashy, not imperious. Just granite. Pure granite. The horse that will take the others to places they have never been before. And ask them if they have greatness in them, or whether only he himself has it.

Coneygree. Where do you start. 4th start over fences. Gold Cup winner. That's right. From the front. What? That's also right. Denman-esque was mentioned. There can be no higher praise of a staying chaser. Fairytale stuff.


Our stars of yesteryear perhaps faded away as the new ones brightened. Sprinter Sacre, Sire De Grugy, Bobs Worth, Hurricane Fly were all beaten where they were once Champions. All of that with the backdrop of AP McCoy hanging up his Cheltenham Festival silks for the final time. It was a sobering festival. It took racing in its next direction, it painted part of its future. It answered the unanswered and the good horses won seemingly with no excuses. It was a definitive festival in so many ways.

It's a festival that got you dreaming. And that's what the attraction of racing should always be.

You might be entering a new dawn and one which you could not have a bet and still enjoy the stories of these new stars unfold. That is an immeasurable triumph in this industry.

For now though, have a new focus. Save this until next March. It might just make it that bit more special.

A memorable week indeed.

 

What a week, sad it's over. Albeit probably my most successful Festival ever.

3 highs

Coneygree - A horse I have followed ever since his first run and was so convinced that he would win after the rain. Galloped the rest of the field in to submission. After the race I had a tear in my eye. Was it because he won it with a superb front running performance? Was it because he's one of my favourites? Or was it because of the story of his connections? Probably a bit of everything.

Dodging Bullets - See Coneygree. Another horse I have followed ever since his first race. Some can perhaps say it was a weak field considering Sprinter and Sire not having a full season, but I won't see that held against him. Most improved 2 mile chaser this season and deserves his crown. Was extra special seeing it in the flesh as well.

Vautour - One of the best front running, perfect jumping rounds of Cheltenham I think anyone has ever seen from a novice. No more needs to be said, he is a special horse. Shame I wasn't on him, I doubted his ability.... won't make that mistake again.

3 lows

Sprinter Sacre - A shame to see his many problems catching up with him. A true wonder horse but I hope they give him a well earned, chilled out retirement. I don't want to see this horse die on track like Best Mate.

Annie Power - This is from a pure punting point of view. My main bet was the Mullins 4 on the first day and cost me quite a few quid. Another high though was seeing her get to her feet and running off, safe and well.

The New One - My favourite horse in training and he didn't turn up to the party. Seems to have lost some pace, but still stays well. I wasn't overly confident before the race as thought he looked well below par all season. Still a big disappointment that he ran the race he did though. Ah well, I reckon it's time to try him at 3 mile.

 

Agree with the Don Poli comment TopClass it will take something special to beat him as he will go toe to toe with anything and don't be fooled by his flat spots he can go when he needs too.

Annie Power was also bought as a Gold Cup mare but with Don and Vautour looking leaders among these ranks for Mullins will the keep her back hurdling again and go for the World Hurdle or start her out novice chasing?

One thing Mullins always states is that he will bring his horses along gradually and not rush them into anything regardless of prize money or stature of the race. I'm sure they will have alot of debate among themselves as to the best plan and wherever they go and the public keenly await.

 

Highs, in order...

1) Having told anyone who would listen, God's Own running a stormer in the Arkle at 40/1, finishing 2nd to a beast in UDS. I dared to dream 2 from home until Ruby gave him a shake of the reigns!!

2) Hurricane Fly proving he was worthy of his place in the Champion Hurdle field, finishing a solid third.

3) Coneygree. There is nothing I can say that hasn't been already. For a novice to grind such a competitive field into submission was a sight to behold, beautiful.

Lows...

1) The fall of Annie Power was a sickener - didn't have a bean on her either. So relieved she got away with it and won't be touched in the Mares next year.

2) The hangover!!

3) The fact that we have to wait another bleeding year!!

 

Wow, dosnt it seem ages ago since we were watching one of the best shows on earth..!!!

Highs - Tuesday was such a high, everything about the build up was heightened by the fact that everyone was looking forward to Mullins unleashing what maybe the best string of horses we have seen ever at the festival, and you could have a piece of it. That's purely from a pocket talk sort of stance but you cant fail to be impressed with how Ruby rode all of those hot hot favourites to success... Yes, Annie cost us, me, most people money, but take that last fence out of your mind if you can and it was just pure theatre, majestic and exhilarating all the same...

Another high for me was the way the races were run. Sometime we get muddling races where we arnt sure if we have seen a great race or not. More questions come out of the race than went into it before hand. I have to say that nearly all of the races seem to live up to their sub-plots better than most. How happy are we over the Coneygree story, Dodging Bullets, Faugheen, Vautour and Towering Martello to name but a few. I thin it was one of the best Cheltenham festivals we have had for many a while now, and next year will have something to live up to...

One more high for me was the Not606 boys posting all of their thoughts on the day as it was going on. Having started a new job recently, and not being able to post on the website due to blocking of the computers, I got much more enjoyment out of reading the 606 postings as I would have done had id been able to actually listen to the C4 coverage. I doff my cap to the posters as the day went by...

Lows - Well apart from the obvious fall of Annie Power, as we all got drawn along with the potential 4 timer didn't we, I was sad to see to see Sprinter Sacre diminish into the back ground without much more than a whimper. A real shame that. That Zarkandar didn't win what I thought would be his moment in the sunshine and win one of the big races at the festival... Still, he gave it all he had, it was just not meant to be... The last downer is the fact that we have to now wait for another year until were at it again...

It was a great week enjoyed by many many people. Lets hope it can continue for years to come...

 

Highs- Vautour. Just stunning, ran a hugely decent JLT field absolutely ragged and the way he bounced around on his way back in told me he'd plenty left in the locker. The way be bounded clear up that hill after setting those ferocious fractions proved that the JLT WAS in fact the perfect race for him after all!

Faugheen- Absolutely sent the place wild (well most of us anyway) when he hit the turbo button off the bend. Seemed to quicken twice, went 4/5 lengths clear in a flash. Gears. Simply gears. To do that off a slow pace more than confirmed my belief in him, he has a savage turn of foot and he stays. Good luck anyone still opposing him. 9 from 9. Perfect.

Un de Sceaux- Different class. Proved it with ease. They just couldn't deal with that final surge up the hill. Jumped as quick as a flash, simply murdered them.

Lows- Annie Power. The thrills and spills. We had the thrills, then the spill! What relief for the bookies that was. Hopefully we'll see her in the Aintree Hurdle if she's over her fall.

Sprinter Sacre- Sadly I was proved right about the once monstrous horse. A busted flush now, to see him pulled up wasn't nice. Hopefully he'll get the retirement he maybe should have had last season.

Champagne Fever- If ever a N/R would have hacked up, it was him. Who did bite him, anyone know?!!

Some week. Pure Cheltenham magic

 

UN ATOUT was the culprit

 

Cheers stick, didnt see that anywhere. He certainly proved himself a worthwhile addition to Mullins team lol

 

At least he wont be there being a naughty boy next year mate!

 

Nothing much new to add,
Highs:
Vautour: superb performance. If this one ends up in the Ryanair next year we may as well give the game up. Has to be in the blue riband event.

Coneygree: the back story but also because I love a bold jumping front runner.

Kim Bailey: getting into the winners enclosure again for the first time in years. Has struggled for number of years but has turned it around. Has a great website and daily blog which is always worth a read. Good egg.

Lows
Rock on Ruby: being pulled on the eve of the festival. Pocket talk but could have salvaged the absolute carnage that was my antepost portfolio. Maybe stamina doubts but would have had his ground and I'm sure would have run a huge race

Champagne Fever: getting beaten up in his stable. The only Mullins horse to carry my cash at 10s and 8s and gets mugged off by an inferior animal in his stable. The only positive was NRNB.

Annie Power: saved the bookies an absolute hiding ( though not from me). Still can't believe she fell.

 

Ultimate High

Alan King’s bitchy comment following Uxizandre’s win in the Ryanair. I’m sure many a member picked up their handbag and squealed, ‘Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh, hark at her!’ upon hearing it. Was absolutely brilliant though and made I chuckle for hours. He’s got form at taking a swipe at the connections of the horse as his over Yarnworth, in December, was almost equally as good.

Highs

The success of Call The Cops. God bless you, Mr Henderson.

Mr Henderson’s 1-2-3 in the 4YO Championship race. What a triumph for the forum’s favourite trainer.

Douvan’s demolition of the Supreme field. Hinted at greatness.

Similarly, Vautour’s win in the JLT. Brill-e-aunt.

Seeing both Andy Tinkles and the Bass boy ride winners.


Lows

The equine fatalities.

How much of a parody of its former self the ‘Cheltenham roar’ has become. It used to be spontaneous and from the heart whilst now it’s ‘after 3 you must all cheer’.

Seeing after a race the horses trainer announcing that an animal I'd backed was having no more than a 'prep' at the meeting for its main target in a few weeks time.

Channel 4’s ridiculous attitude to the McManus winners and the sole McCoy success seemingly placing these above all others. Baffling and ridiculous.

The decision to rename the ‘lucky last’ race after a saddle monkey! And one at that who hasn’t been Champion Jockey at the meeting since 1998!

 

SBC, that's a very mean and spiteful post in places, the last paragraph in particular. Also, I am not at all sure that Mr. N. Henderson is now the forum's favourite trainer, after all, we only have your word for it. I have this strange feeling that your God has been usurped by a Gentleman, with a capital 'G', from over the small pond, namely, Mr. W. P. Mullins? He is a most impressive man, IMHO, both with his extraordinary talent as a trainer, and with his charm and impeccable manners.

Think you'd better think about building another shrine, old fellah!

 

Swanny, me old love, I can’t see how it’s ‘very mean and spiteful’ in the slightest! Don’t tell me you weren’t chortling uncontrollably at Alan King’s remark.

Naming races after saddle monkeys isn’t my cup of tea, I’m afraid. The last 2 monikered races at the Festival in my opinion were an absolute outrage. THAT man preceded by Daddy Martin. Cor blimey!

 

Mullins is definitely the forums favourite now by a street I would estimate.

 

Well, I did say 'in places', SBC. I see no harm in naming that last race in honour of A.P., he was, after all, a truly extraordinary horseman. To describe members of a certain profession as 'saddle monkeys' is just not my cup of tea, I'm afraid. Every profession, every trade, can be given an insulting name, and that includes your's and mine, regardless of whether or not we sat at the top table now and again? Really do think you should think again about using that term, after all, NH jockeys often risk their lives on sometimes dodgy jumpers to make our lives just a bit more interesting and enjoyable?

 

But Swanny was Cheltenham the right place to 'honour' him given the fact that he hasn't been Champion their since 1998 (something his fans, for some reason, never shout about). Since that date time 'Chocolate' Thornton, Mick Fitzgerald and Graham Lee have all won the prize! No-one ever suggested the 'Mick Fitzgerald Handicap'. To which the answer is, of course, 'he kept falling off!'.

Meanwhile, other trainers come and go but there is only one Mr Henderson. The man is loved and respected by the racing public in equal measure. All other trainers are mere imitations.

Incidentally, re trainers when are either Dan Skelton or Harry Fry going to win either (a) a Grade 1 race or (b) a Cheltenham Festival heat?!? There is only so long that they can continue to be called ‘up and coming’, ‘promising’ and ‘the next big thing’. If both targets haven’t been hit in 12 months time then the alarm bells may sound in that respective yard.

 

Be fair Barney. Dan Skelton has a small yard and it's mainly a family affair with his younger brother Harry riding most of his horses. How can you bring them into the argument to make your point? We know Dan and Harry quite well and they are very nice people. I'm sure they wouldn't pretend to compare with the likes of Willie Mullins, Paul Nichols and Mr Henderson

 

I'm not a big AP fan as most are probably aware, and I would tend to refer to him as an incredibly, tough, dedicated, humble and very talented and undoubtedly very popular jockey rather than an exceptional horseman. His record speaks for itself.

As far as naming a race after him, I would have been inclined to choose a track where he was most successful. But it’s up to them. He seems such a decent bloke I wouldn’t begrudge him being able to choose himself to be honest

Did Sir Gordon Richards ever have a race named after him?