Festival Fever
What does Cheltenham mean to you?
JAMIE: It’s the pinnacle of racing and every owner or trainer wants to have a Festival winner. One day hopefully I may be able to do both.
CRAIG: It’s special as it reminds me of watching horseracing with my grandad when I was little, but also symbolises the start of the cricket season.
What is your best memory of the Festival and which winner did you celebrate the most?
JAMIE: The memory would have to be Kauto Star winning the Gold Cup for the second time (2009) and the winner I celebrated the most was Pacha Du Polder as I was on at 33s.
CRAIG: I’d say being there on Gold Cup day in 2017 and seeing Sizing John. A group of us had backed him following a tip from a mate. He went off at 7s and won by almost three lengths.
Which is your favourite race of the four days?
JAMIE: It has to be the Champion Chase, an end-to-end gallop in which you make one mistake and you are out of it!
CRAIG: A tough one, as you can’t go far wrong with the Gold Cup, but I quite like the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Not only is it the first race of the Festival, it also provides a chance to see the best young horses and the future of National Hunt racing.
Will you be going? If not, where will you be watching?
JAMIE: I’m planning on going to the first two days. My best friend Harry Derham (left) has his first Festival entry in the Boodles, a horse called Shared, so I will be there supporting him, then watching the other two days on TV.
CRAIG: Unfortunately not as I am away with Somerset but I’ll be glued to the iPad in the evenings. I have a couple of horses with Harry, so will be keeping my fingers crossed for his runners during the week.
Your banker bet for the week?
JAMIE: Constitution Hill but he’s far too short to back! I like the chances of Shared, I’m just hoping he sneaks in the race and runs nicely for Harry.
CRAIG: Other than Constitution Hill, I really fancy Bravemansgame in the Gold Cup. He showed in the King George that he has improved massively from last year.