There, in a nutshell, is why I wonder if I can continue with Racing beyond the festival. Absolutely heartwrenching seeing those screens, god only knows what its like for connections. A bad day, really not what anyone wanted
Had no idea any horses had died today. That's terrible news and it is really distressing to see. Once again I got stuck in traffic on the way into the course. However, unlike at Newbury, I was determined NOT to miss any racing so I winged it into some guys field, paid him a fiver and legged it to the course. More than claimed that fiver back with my big fancy of the day, Cinder's and Ashes 11/1 (a "big fat slow joke" David Duggan 2012 ). So as it turned out the best decision of the day was parking in the random field! Even got interviewed by some random paper/journalist about winning on Cinders . Sprinter Sacre was the highlight of the day though, just wow. Afterwards he looked like hadn't even had a race. He could well be the best chaser in training and fair play to people who called him for this race after his first chase race. Hurricane Fly was very disappointing, I think Ruby and AP got locked in a bit of a match race and that cost them. Overturn had a game plan and it almost worked. I really like Noel Fehily so am really pleased for him. Have to say it looked to me like the pace might have been well above average. I will have to check what the time was like but that could have played a part in the upset The cross-country is a race I really loathe - it has no place at the festival imho. Hit the winner at what turned out to be a huge 11/1 and it was actually the most exciting finish of the day. Still not a huge fan of the race but I'd be lying if I said I didn't warm to it after Dickie's cracking ride paid for a few beers. Quevega, well she's the queen of NH isn't she? I think Ruby must have been worried after the Fly's race but he gave her a good ride I guess. We found a bookie taking her on at 8/13. His face after the race was priceless and the queue very long! Have to say though, it was my 2nd visit to Cheltenham week and for once I left nicely up but there was way too many people which took a gloss off of the day. We could hardly move and one can forget about getting a drink and seeing the parade ring in between each race. It's food or drink or piss or parade ring pretty much. Which sucks. Especially as it seems that a lot of people are there just to get absolutely bladdered. Why not just go to the pub/off licence? Still the festival it is a fantastic spectacle and is sure to draw me back despite this major negative.
