Once more unto the breach. I’m sure I wrote that last year as well. Certainly, feels that way as several members of the Big Brother house have fallen to the vagaries of Cheltenham. Sore throats and empty wallets make bad bedfellows. But we carry on, we power through. Once more.
One more day and it will all be over. Old friends we see once a year dispersing over and around Cleeve Hill, back to our lives, back to our realities, hoping to somehow make it back here again next year. Horses and horsemen, a lucky few defining careers, making memories and most of them patching up the wounds and wondering what went wrong, what to do next year.
Cold and wet yesterday. Home By The Lee winning the Stayers’ Hurdle in his fifth attempt at the 3-mile Grade 1 stakes. The 11-year-old grinding away up the hill where he had failed four times previously. Like he had never failed. Some race. Some horse.
Heart Wood dominating the Grade 1 Ryanair, a race that lost favorite Fact To File, due to quick ground, halfway through the card. Heart Wood showed up. Jonbon, as well, of course, like always. A gallant second. As the 10-year-old walked into the paddock, to the winner’s enclosure for the 28th time in his 28th start, a fan looked up at jockey Nico De Boinville. “Thank you, Nico. Thank you.” The jockey nodded, a moment of shared appreciation for a horse, for an effort, for a sport.
Race 1. 9:20 a.m. JCB Triumph Hurdle. Grade 1. Winner £84,405. 20 runners. 2 miles, 179 yards.
I’ll stay at the top of the market and on the A Team but will go against Paul Townend who chose Selma De Vary over Macho Man. Not a lot in it. Highland Crystal handled Saratoga in February.
The Picks: Macho Man, Proactif, Selma De Vary.
Race 2. 10:00. William Hill County Handicap Hurdle. Class 1. Winner £61,897. 23 runners. 2 miles, 179 yards.
Paul Townend on Karbau, the jockey’s only handicap appearance of the week. Secret Squirrel, an old friend, returning to his best. Absurde exits the Melbourne Cup. Yes, that Melbourne Cup.
The Picks: Karbau, Secret Squirrel, Sinnatra.
Race 3. 10:40. Mrs Paddy Ower Mares’ Chase. Registered as the Liberthine. Grade 2. Winner £73,151. 9 runners. 2 miles, 4 furlongs, 127 yards.
Dinoblue, the 9-year-old mare, aims at her 12th career win and her second in this race. Tough to go against. Panic Attack rides the wave for Dan Skelton.
The Picks: Dinoblue, Panic Attack, Diva Luna.
Race 4. 11:20. Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Grade 1. Registered as the Spa Novices’ Hurdle. Class 1. Winner £87,022. 22 runners. 2 miles, 7 furlongs, 213 yards.
Another Mullins streaker. Doctor Steinberg rolls into this on a 3-for-3 mark over hurdles.
The Picks: Doctor Steinberg, Thedeviluno, The Passing Wife.
Race 5: 12:00. Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase. Grade 1. Winner £351,688. 11 runners. 3 miles, 2 furlongs, 70 yards.
Oh, the big one. Win this and you’ll never walk alone.
The incomparable Envoi Allen, a three-time Cheltenham Festival winner, makes his final start. Firefox, a steady outsider from Ireland. The mercurial Gaelic Warrior should have one of these on his mantle. Gold Tweet, a French raider trying to roll back the years to The Fellow. Grey Dawning, put away and aimed at this, by Skelton. Haiti Couleurs, with the indomitable Sean Bowen, from the front, they’ll know he’s in there. Inothewayurthinkin, an upset winner last year and on the skids this year. Jango Baie, getting closer all the time. L’Homme Presse, a resolute galloper riding three runner-up finishes. Spillane’s Tower, trained by Jimmy Mangan, imagine the roar and reaction to a lifer’s win. The Jukebox Man, one of Britain’s big hopes and as talented as they get. Wide open.
The Picks: Spillane’s Tower, Gaelic Warrior, Haiti Couleurs.
Race 6. 12:40. Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase. Class 2. Winner £24,445. 24 runners. 3 miles, 2 furlongs, 70 yards.
It’s On the Line at the top of the market here. I’m trying to turn back the clock with former Festival winner Stattler.
The Picks: Stattler, It’s On The Line, Con’s Roc.
Race 7. 1:20. Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. Class 2. Winner £38,580. 24 runners. 2 miles, 4 furlongs, 56 yards.
I’ve been thinking Kel Histoire wants this trip. Not a lot of value. Sit back and enjoy. See you next year.
The Picks: Kel Histoire, Act Of Authority, Jump Allen.
