Ready for the thrill of the Cheltenham roar
NOW THAT the blanket of snow has dispersed after outstaying its welcome to reveal the weather-beaten, yet emerald green grass, we can firmly turn our attentions across the water to the wonderful spectacle of National Hunt horse racing that is the Cheltenham Festival.
There’s no other meeting quite like it. The tingle of anticipation as the horses make their way to the start for the opening race, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, can’t be matched, and despite a slight dilution of quality due to the addition of extra races, the Festival generally lives up to the hype.
Of course, many will insist it’s all about betting, something that has become a blight on our society with the advent of online gambling, but for me Cheltenham is more about the wonderful memories that are weaved - small trainers taking on the headline acts and occasionally coming out on top, horses that have become ingrained in our minds for their magical feats as well as the sheer colour of the occasion.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be clearing the cobwebs from the recesses of the leather wallet and trying to get the better of the bookies, but I’d imagine that more than half of the races I won’t wager on, but will still get a buzz from watching the horses line up at the start, and power up the famous Cheltenham hill.
On the way to your local bookmakers you’re bound to have ‘tips’ whispered into your ears in hushed tones on street corners, only to watch in horror as the unwilling nag makes his way around Prestbury Park in his own time as another losing docket is crumpled up and pelted in the general vicinity of the nearest bin.
If you’re an aficionado of the Sport of Kings for the other 51 weeks of the year, you’re sure to have your own steadfast opinions and won’t listen to such idle talk, but for anybody with a mere passing interest the best advice is to stick a pin in the racecard, keep the stakes low and try to unearth an outsider or two to make the potential winnings high. Go for a name that tickles your fancy, a colour combination that Dermot Bannon would be proud of, or just blindly back your favourite jockey, be it Ruby Walsh, Barry Geraghty, Davy Russell or Richard Johnson.
After dominating the meeting twelve months ago, many are sure to be drawn to the double-pronged Irish attack from all-conquering trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, and if you throw leading English handler Nicky Henderson into the mix, a hefty amount of winners over the four days should come from that trio.
However, it’s not all about the big boys, as Galway handler Pat Kelly has proven by saddling the winner of the last two runnings of the Pertemps Hurdle, Mall Dini and Presenting Percy, and previously unheralded trainers from these shores or across the water are bound to spring a 33/1 surprise or two this week to earn their day in the sun.
The real glory of National Hunt racing is that we build up a relationship with the horses over time. Mighty steeds like Istabraq, Dawn Run, Baracouda, Big Buck’s, Inglis Drever, Best Mate, Kauto Star, Denman and Quevega have all seeped into the public conscious- ness thanks their remarkable feats in the spotlight of the Cheltenham Festival.
Unfortunately in the blue riband event, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, we’ve had to do without returning champions in recent years, with the last three winners - Coneygree, Don Cossack and now Sizing John - failing to make it to the track to defend their crown.
However, there’s plenty more old friends back to battle it out once again, as well as new equine heroes that will etch their names into folklore and the history books. So sit back, enjoy the spectacle and try not to get too carried away with your arm wrestle with the layers.
Many punters seem to garner more satisfaction from picking a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, but remember a 3/1 still pays the same whether it’s at Prestbury Park or in the less glamorous surroundings of Southwell or Sedgefield.
Once the horses and jockeys come back safe and sound it will have been a successful week.
Happy punting!