Orange-and-blue brigade proud of their old stager
Time spent with Un De Sceaux’s 41-strong clan showed depth of theirs and public’s affection
They may not have won but they showed the true meaning of sport. Un De Sceaux’s owner, supporters, cheerleaders, well-wishers and assorted hangers-on in the parade ring numbered fully 41, their passion for this special horse glowing as brightly and clearly as their orange-and-blue scarves.
The Ryanair Chase promised a duel between two of the most popular horses in training, and almost everyone here was hoping to see Cue Card and Un De Sceaux battle it out up the hill. Before the off, the friends and family of owner Edward O’connell were looking distinctly apprehensive. “We’re in bits”, said one. “So, so nervous,” said another. The ages of the orange-and-blue brigade ranged from the very young to the very old, but all were united in their wish to see their boy deliver.
O’connell is in hospital and so the captain of the crew once again was son Colm. Trainer Willie Mullins strode across the ring to have a word; so thick was the throng that he could hardly get through. The trainer, instead, took his jockey Paul Townend off to the side of the ring for a quieter word, away from the body of the group. Forty-one is a lot of anxious connections to chat up, even for a man of Mullins’ calm authority.
“We have the best team in the business. Our job is just to pay the bills,” said O’connell. “I want it [the race] to be over, but I want it to last for ever.”
Just before the off, one of the group, superstitious, knew that he had to shake the hand of each and every person in an orange-andblue scarf: not a task to undertake unless you have staying power. Un De Sceaux was going nicely for a while. Some clasped their hands, others jigged up and down nervously, there were gasps and cheers, a Greek chorus for the drama on the track. Cue Card was pulled up, but the danger came from elsewhere. Three out, things were not looking so good, and their hero finished a well-beaten second. Nonetheless, the whole posse burst into applause as he crossed the line. “He did his best,” said one. “We ran a great race.” And, simply: “We are proud.” In the winner’s enclosure, they applauded Michael O’leary warmly, and congratulated Davy Russell, who showed his class by going around to shake many hands. O’connell was gracious in defeat, grateful that his horse would live to fight another day.
“I have no trouble with the winner,” he said. “It is a funny place, this place: two times we have come here odds-on and two times we have been beat. I am a lot more comfortable when the odds are against you.”
There are worst things than second place in a race.
“I was here when Many Clouds
died,” he said of the horse who died in January last year just after winning the Cotswold Chase. “The atmosphere, the mood was just killed. Cue Card seems to have come back safe and sound. Our horse is safe and sound.”
Cue Card’s trainer, Colin Tizzard, said after the race: “He is as bright as a button. We will take him home and have a little bit of a think about it for a couple of days. If something comes to light, I will keep everyone informed, but I would be surprised because he walked away a happy chap.”
It might well be that Cheltenham has seen the last of the grand old stager, but what times he has given it. “I remember watching Cue Card win the bumper here,” said O’connell. “That was eight years ago and he’s still here, you can still have a bet on him. In the Flat game, they retire them after two or three years. But people identify with the longevity.”
When Cue Card retires, Un De Sceaux will have few rivals in the popularity stakes.
“People love him because they like to see something different,” said O’connell. “They like to see a horse that is a bit chancy. He just goes out there and gives it. And the crowd appreciate horses here: they applauded him today. They applauded Istabraq when he was pulled up, and they applauded Cue Card today.”
Sport is about winning, but it is also about generosity and graciousness and appreciating what you are watching and what you have got. Neither Cue Card nor Un De Sceaux could deliver yesterday, but both camps can be rightly proud of these two great competitors. Vacancies are opening up for some new heroes.