The reception. That’s what it is about, always been about. In all places, at all times during the sport’s biggest week.
The first, for me, was when Istabraq pulled up early in his final Champion Hurdle. Standing at the top of the hill, favorite out, money gone, as the new generation disappeared in the distance, the changing of the oldest guard. A standing-ovation au revoir as the play continued.
Cue Card falling and galloping loose, waiting to see if he was OK, then the realization and the relief as he made his way stoically, thankfully, home.
See More Business walking into the winner’s enclosure one final time, the crowd roaring, “See More. See More. See More.” An old horse with a man’s name and a sendoff.
And all the winners of course as they walk a straight line through the paddock and into the pantheon – Best Mate, Kauto Star, Denman, Hurricane Fly, Honeysuckle and Lossiemouth.
Yesterday, it was as loud as I can remember for Lossiemouth and jockey Paul Townend. Hats and hugs as she faced her fans. Appreciation. That’s it, pure appreciation. For a heart-on-her-sleeve mare winning her big one. Willie Mullins adding cheek pieces, getting it right again. A Triumph Hurdle, two Mares’ Hurdles and now the Champion Hurdle. Fourteen wins, three seconds and a fall from 18 starts. And the crowd let her know that they knew.
“They made her concentrate that bit more,” Mullins said of the equipment change. “As horses get older, they’re probably like the rest of us, we start looking for ways out of doing hard work. This really invigorated her, when I saw her working in them the other morning, when Paul pulled up, we both had the same feeling. He said she flew. I thought the same. This was the way to go, and the race looked so open, we thought, ‘Well, why not? Let’s go for it.’ To come back here four years in a row is an achievement in itself. To win four years in a row…superb.”
Old Park Star started it off, an imperious performance in the Sky Bet Supreme to get the British on the board. Kargese grinded away to turn back game stablemate Kopek Des Bordes in the Singer Arkle. Saratoga getting us on the board with a 10-1 win and a £67.40 exacta in the Fred Winter. Johnnywho providing one for the grafters, Richie McClernon and the Jonjo O’Neill team. The jockey down the list on the McManus pecking order but, most importantly, on the list. Mark Walsh to 3-1 Jagwar. Jonjo O’Neill Jr. to 13/2 Iroko. Here’s a spare, 18-1 Johnnywho.
“Brilliant. A great feeling. Super. Super,” McLernon said. “Life is a gamble and sometimes the dice rolls your way. I was lucky enough to get on him today. He delivered every call. You keep going, you survive as long as you can and some day you hope the dice rolls your way. It did today. I’m with the right team and some days it falls your way, and you get on the right horse.”
Madara was the right horses for the Skeltons, the handicap kings, in the Sun Racing Plate. Holloway Queen providing Nicky Henderson with a double as our pick of the day, One Big Bang, ran hard to finish third at 11-1 in the finale.
We ducked and jived, bobbed and weaved Tuesday.
The waters look wilder today.
Race 1. 9:20. Turners Novices’ Hurdle. Grade 1. Registered as the Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle. Winner £84,405. 21 runners. 2 miles, 5 furlongs.
Deep opener. Considering I picked No Drama This End in the Champion Bumper last year, I better stick with him here. Hopefully he can handle good ground.
The Picks: No Drama This End, Sober, King Rasko Grey.
Race 2. 10:00. Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. Grade 1. Registered as the Broadway Novices’ Chase. Winner £115,916. 16 runners. 3 miles, 1 furlong.
Can Willie resurrect Final Demand? Can Harry Cobden pull a high-wire act on Kitzbuhel? Can Romeo Coolio stretch 3 1/8 miles?
The Picks: Romeo Coolio, Kaid D’Authie, Wendigo.
Race 3. 10:40. BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle. Winner £61,897. 24 runners. 2 miles, 5 furlongs.
Minefield. We’ll lean toward The Yellow Clay to reclaim his best form on a switch from graded stakes to a handicap. Tricky.
The Picks: The Yellow Clay, Kopek De Mee, Franciscan Rock.
Race 4. 11:20. Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. Winner £39,023. 14 runners. 3 miles, 5 furlongs, 56 yards.
Top of the market here.
The Picks: Favori De Champdou, Stumptown, The Goffer.
Race 5. 12:00. BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase. Grade 1. Winner £225,080. 10 runners. 1 mile, 7 furlongs, 199 yards.
Majborough tries to duplicate his flawless performance at the Dublin Racing Festival. Il Etait Temps tries to bounce back from a fall in January. Captain Guinness tries to turn back time. Helter on skelter.
The Picks: Majborough, Il Etait Temps, Found A Fifty.
Race 6. 12:40. Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup. Handicap Chase. Winner £84,405. 20 runners. 1 mile, 7 furlongs, 199 yards.
Grade 2-placed Be Aware, Cheltenham winner Jazzy Matty, American Grand National runner-up Ballysax Hank, promising novice Vanderpoel thrown in 20-runner mixing bowl. Good luck.
The Picks: Be Aware, Vanderpoel, Release The Beast.
Race 7. 1:20. Weatherbys Champion Bumper. In memory of Sir Johnny Weatherby. National Hunt Flat Race. Winner £45,560. 22 runners. 2 miles, 87 yards.
Willie’s arsenal. Patrick Mullins picked Love Sign D’Aunou. Paul Townend picked Quiryn. And, wow, flat champion jockey Colin Keane rides The Mourne Rambler.
The Picks: Love Sign D’Aunou, Quiryn, The Mourne Rambler.
