And here we are. Yet again. The day of days. The week of weeks. The show of shows. Cheltenham. A place that began to seer into my racing soul way back in 2002. Sharing two bunk beds in the Hunter’s Lodge, breakfast, lunch and dinner in the stable canteen, a pile of Racing Posts to bring home to my friends. Istabraq’s final racetrack appearance. Hors La Loi and Dean Gallagher winning the Champion Hurdle. There was a comeback. Best Mate winning his first Gold Cup. And me leaving with a different view of sport, a bigger view of life. I’ve made most of them since, missed a few, a broken neck and the aftermath of Covid (yes, I was here in 2020 when it was deemed a pandemic, a few tough phone calls that week). And here we are again. Yet again. Let the games begin.
And, yes, still soaring from Sherminator’s win Friday, a trip to Sandown Saturday, a Sunday lunch for the ages and a walk around Goodwood Monday. Nicky Henderson walks Cheltenham, we walk Goodwood. Stunning course and hard to believe anyone stood atop that Sussex hill and thought, ‘There’s a good spot for a racecourse.’ Hey George and Candida, I’m coming back…
This year’s Festival, so far, known for who isn’t here. Constitution Hill, of course. The once-immutable champion, now a flawed genius, taking the sane path toward flat racing and leaving his jumping foibles behind. I am asked about the horse who isn’t running at Cheltenham more often than any who are. But so, it goes. And, no, I would not have run him in the Champion Hurdle. As Bill Mott says, “Horses give us the information and we are supposed to use it.” No horse has given such obvious information.
And Galopin. The two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, he misses this year’s Festival as well. An interrupted season completely derailed after two thirds against the best. An injury at age 10. End of a chapter, end of a book. I thought he had a sneaky good chance to reclaim the crown. And so, it goes.
So here goes.
Last year, I studied hard, fixated on form, watched replays, listened to podcasts, took notes and drafts. It was my worst Cheltenham. Different approach this year. As I’m still playing late double money from Tiger Roll and Tully East, we’re still in good shape.
Race 1. 9:20. Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Grade 1. Winner £84,405. 12 runners. 2 miles, 87 yards.
Smasher of an opener with a deep and wide-open field converging. Old Park Star has been scintillating in three hurdle starts for Henderson. The Irish-bred has won them by a combined 33 lengths, hard on the bridle. Talk The Talk looks like a good ground horse and should improve ever more after rebounding from a fall to take the Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festivalal. I’ll lean that way and hope for a little value over the Old Park Star. Mighty Park has taken money after winning his only hurdle start by 38 lengths. Yes, 38 lengths.
The Picks: Talk The Talk, Old Park Star, Mighty Park.
Race 2: 10:00. Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase. Grade 1. Winner £112,540. 6 runners. 1 mile, 7 furlongs, 199 yards.
Willie Mullins has had a quieter season that usual but surely that won’t last. This is one of the big ones as he makes an audacious move with Kopek Des Bordes. The French-bred, winner of five of six, makes his second chase start in the Arkle. That’s how much they think of him. Not ideal. Not the plan. Not a problem? We’ll see. Henderson’s day will made early with the once-beaten Lulamba trying to make it 4-for-4 over fences. Two miles over fences, butter across a skillet.
The Picks: Kopek Des Bordes, Lulamba, Street Ally.
Race 3. 10:40. McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. The Fred Winter. Winner £45,016. 22 runners. 2 miles, 87 yards.
The beginning of the handicaps. Jack Kennedy picks up the ride on Winston Junior for Faye Bramley. Bibe Mus won Saturday. Sometimes, you’ve got to go with a name. Hey, Saratoga!
The Picks: Saratoga, Winston Junior, Glen To Glen.
Race 4. 11:20. Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase. Winner £84,405. 22 runners 3 miles, 1 furlong.
The J.P. McManus triple? Hard to get past Iroko, Jagwar and Johnnywho.
The Picks: Jagwar, Quebecios, Konfusion.
Race 5: 12:00. Unibet Champion Hurdle. Grade 1. Winner £262,078. 9 runners 2 miles, 87 yards.
For or against? Against or for?
The New Lion should take the next gradual step up the ladder. He’s the one who we possibly haven’t seen the best of so far. Rebounded after a fall to win his prep and should be primed for his biggest achievement. Love the girls, Lossiemouth, Brighterdaysahead and Golden Ace. All with chances and all with sentiment. Especially, Golden Ace, last year’s winner. Hopefully less drama than last year.
The Picks: The New Lion, Golden Ace, Poniros.
Race 6: 12:40. Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase. Winner £84,405. 23 runners. 2 miles, 4 furlongs, 44 yards.
More handicaps. More questions. Hey, Zoltar…
The Picks: Zurich, Down Memory Lane, No Questions Asked.
Race 7: 1:20. National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase. Class 2. Winner £51,440. 17 runners. 3 miles, 5 furlongs, 201 yards.
My Horse Tracker horse of the day. One Big Bang. “Stayed up Cheltenham hill. 1/2/25.” He’s 9-1 in the finale. Dinner money.
The Picks: One Big Bang, Backmersackme, King Of Answers.
