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Well, the fact that only one horse (I believe) lost its life this year, one too many, of course, makes it an exceptional one, as far as I am concerned.
Seconded without reservation. It was a Festival of fiercely competitive action, but that was not gained at the expense of equine welfare. Clearly the rain played its part, but the production through watering of safe ground all the more so.
It may not be a universally held view, but to my mind if such watering can guarantee – as far as anything can – that the blood-letting of Festivals such as 2006 can be consigned to history, then the prospect of good to firm ground performers being disadvantaged is a price I think the sport should delight in paying.
Phillip Hobbs has already complained that Cheltenham’s increasingly explicit watering policy will have a profound effect on what horses he buys in the future – better that, I say, than not to have a Cheltenham Festival to buy for and aim horses at at all.
Mind, he was also very much in the camp that claimed two out on the Old Course required no alterations. One cannot hold up a single Festival’s evidence as gospel, of course, but I’d suggest the early signs are that it jumped far fairer following its modifications. Nothing fell there that didn’t deserve to.
So, yes, on welfare grounds it was a superb Festival, and from a crisis management point of view the course executive scored massive plus points as well. As John Inverdale suggested on Radio 5, there was a decisiveness and agility shown on Wednesday that would have put to shame organisers of other sporting events with similar crowd sizes, and for only around 200 racegoers out of the 50,000+ expected on Wednesday to turn up at the gates all the same suggests the delivery of the message of the abandonment was dazzlingly effective.
That much cannot be in doubt, irrespective of the rights or wrongs of the abandonment in the first place (see the relevant thread).
As regards the racing itself, I will always prefer a close finish to a procession, regardless of the level of racing concerned (except when I’m race-reading, perhaps, but then I’d just an idle sod). However, it was impossible not to be taken with either Denman or Master Minded’s performance, appreciable margins of victory notwithstanding. Katchit and Inglis Drever’s wins brought a bigger smile to my face, though, gained as they were so tenaciously. Being planted among the fan club of the latter at Hexham yesterday and experiencing the warmth towards JHJ and the gelding in practically his own back garden was a highlight of the week also.
….And from a financial point of view, this was probably my best Festival to date. Correct lays and plays on Amicelli, Master Minded, Wonderkid and Naiad Du Misselot I’d already mentioned pre-race on assorted threads, the others (and there were several) I wasn’t courteous enough to share with you beforehand so ought not do so now either.
So, that’s that, then. Deep breath out and relax, and dwell on the great memories for a second or two……………. Right, what does everyone fancy at Uttoxeter tomorrow, then?
Jeremy
(graysonscolumn)Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
i loved this years festival, some brilliant performances
the main ones i enjoyed being inglis drever winning his third world hurdle
master minded what a win in the queen mother
and tidal bay’s arkle victoryoh and not forgetting my long term tip our vic winning truely dereved
vf
I feel lucky to have been there to see the best pair of young horses in a long time in Denman and Master Minded demolish their respective fields.. I look forward to next year already when they’ll hopefully be back to defend their titles.
Hats off to Cheltenham too, as the organisation of the hastily rearranged days was top class and went off without a hitch.I would be happier if Cheltenham closed to be honest.
You’ve changed your tune somewhat in 24 hours MP.
I went to all 3 days and the racing was excellent, very competitive and I managed to make a few quid along the way which always helps with the enjoyment!!
Hopefully further mouth watering clashes between Kauto Star & Denman to look forward to again next season.
Now looking forward to the aintree 3 day festival in a few weeks.
It may not be a universally held view, but to my mind if such watering can guarantee – as far as anything can – that the blood-letting of Festivals such as 2006 can be consigned to history, then the prospect of good to firm ground performers being disadvantaged is a price I think the sport should delight in paying.
Jeremy
(graysonscolumn)I agree totally and I consider it imperative that Cheltenham ensure that the ground is never faster than good in the future.
This festival was one of the best ever in my opinion and the performances of Katchit, Master Minded, Tidal Bay and Denman stand out. There is plenty to look forward to and maybe a new ‘golden era ‘ is here.
I only backed one winner at the festival ( which is one more than normal ) but I don’t consider the enjoyment of Cheltenham to be about betting. It’s more about the unique atmosphere and watching the performances of these wonderful animals.
Pete
Although nowhere near my best festival financially, I found it the most exciting Festival in many a long year.
I was greatly impressed by the flexibility of all sides in the rescheduling of Wednesday’s races. I know we are often, rightly, critical of the authorities at times, however on this occasion they deserve nothing but praise. I somehow think if the same had happened ten years ago we would have lost the days racing without any attempt to save it.
The only downside of a ten race card, with large fields, is it is physically and mentally exhausting. I have to admit in the Kim Muir on Thursday afternoon (race nine) I completely lost it trying to read the race.
The highlight for me has to be Master Minded, although a heavy losing race for me financially, I don’t thing anyone can fail to be impressed with the way he absolutely demolished the field. The sobering thought is he is only a five year old.
Then, just over an hour later, we saw a totally contrasting hero in Inglis Drever – never flash, only just doing enough, but what guts.
The Kauto Star / Denman clash wasn’t quite the gladiatorial contest most envisaged, however it was a privilege to watch all the same.
Add to that some exciting finishes, especially in the early races on Friday then the Festival must have something for everyone.
There were some disappointments, Sizing Europe amongst them and there are still as many questions posed as were answered, but that is the joy of racing?
It is after races like Master Minded’s and the Gold Cup that I sometimes wish I had children – so in years to come I could bore my grandchildren with “I was thereâ€
I didn’t find this season’s festival as exciting as previous ones. Don’t know why. Didn’t quite hit the Gee Gee spot this time round for some reason.
I only had three win single only bets during the festival ( I usually have four or five) – Twist Magic, Inglis Drever and Denman – plus an e.w treble on the same three horses. Damn you Twist Magic, damn you !
Add to that a small each way wager on Sublimity on the first day, and that was my lot.
Highlights of the meeting for me were Denman’s demolition of his (then) more illustrious stable companion, Inglis Drever’s third successive World Hurdle victory and Master Minded’s mind blowing performance in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
I thought Inglis Drever’s win was the highlight. His achievement has been overshadowed ,understandly I guess, by the Master Minded and Denman exhibitions but to win a highly competitive race such as the World Hurdle three times and to do so at the age of 9 was a remarkable effort. Remember that he suffered an extremely serious injury along the way. It is rare for horses to come back from such injuries and display anything approaching their former ability. To do so and go on to win the premier event for staying hurdlers is quite brilliant. His style of running means that he’ll never perhaps be as visually impressive as some other champions but champion he is, make no mistake about that.
I also thought that Paul Nicholls achievement in saddling the first three in the Gold Cup was remarkable. As he trained the two hot-pots and the focus was on the Denman/Kauto clash I think people have just kind of accepted the feat. Of course, Dickinson’s nap hand also trumps Nicholl’s trio.
However, many trainers never have a horse good enough to run in a Gold Cup never mind saddle the first three home and I think it was an astounding performance by Nicholls to develop those three chasers in the way he has.
I hadn’t been for years and found two pleasing changes for the better;
that dangerous fence seems to have been improved. and
the overcrowding and shoving didn’t seem as bad ( the effect of the Centaur, perhaps?)
Two negatives were that the ground looked rough and dirty ( not sure of the causes), and
the betting ring seemed depressed with some poor EW terms and some Win only ( the Exchange effect?).
I’ll join Mac the right
on this one
by shouting Inglis Drever home.
This win was needed
and the essential ingredient
to a successful festival.Pass round the bucket
A very light betting heat for me
but blessed by Drever
Don’t mention the last day
marred by a waterworks problem
but I would give it the thumbs upTribal bay, Denman and Master minded for me made it a vintage cheltenham
Who’s this Tribal bay fella?
It was the worst festival in living memory.
I lost money and I dont enjoy losing money wether it be at Southwell (aw) or Cheltenham festival. Horrible 3 days of racing.
I dislike all these extra races and they really should go back to the 3 day festival and get rid of these ridiculous mares races and the dull handicaps where the winner comes from whichever trainer has managed to defraud the punters the best that year by hiding the true merits of his horse.The festival did not get me excited this year as in years gone by and I genuinely thought it was crap. Obviously winning may have changed my outlook but the fact is I thought it was a crap festival.
I know what you are thinking, it is unlike me to go against the opinion of the majority but there you go.
The dullest gold cup I have ever seen. After 3 fences you could see Kauto Star wasnt 100% and a race never even took place. One of the dullest races in living memory, I can honestly never remember such a dull non event. I have seen sprints at Southwell (AW) with more drama. Hats off to Denman for doing what he had to do but if ever you wanted a race to put new punters off the sport then this dull affair was just the ticket.
Champion Hurdle – Briefly exciting as Sublimity cruised into contention looking like the winner only for Katchit to go and win and submit us all to 12 months of racing cliques such as "Heart of a Lion" blah blah blah blah.
Master Minded was the one performance that I enjoyed. As for the rest of those dull handicaps they may as well end them all now.
Lets hope the festival is better next year. I have found Dubai carnivals more fun than the dross we were treated to this year.
I
the betting ring seemed depressed with some poor EW terms and some Win only ( the Exchange effect?).I was pretty pee’d off about that as well every single one of the cartel offering 1/5th odds when you could get E/W. When all the major high street firms where offering 1/4 odds on every race, disgraceful. Not to mention the offers of 5th place guaranteed odds etc you can get from the likes of Paddy Power. I made 75% of my bets NRNB before the festival, next year that’ll probably be 100% won’t be placing any bets in the betting ring. Didn’t there used to be a time when on-course betting was better value than the high street or did I imagine that?
Other than that we had a great time didn’t seem quite as busy as last time I went in 2006 and the weather wasn’t too bad on Friday. Will definitely be back next year.
On -course is still better on occasion, Brody, though we are in agreement broadly.
It’s just the damaging effect that the Exchanges and the lack of interest in racing among the general public is having on the game.
Btw, it is reported somewhere on this forum that the ring price of 9/4 about Denman was better than the btfair price.
Like you I may go again next year, though I did say when i ordered the tickets in January that this year would be the last time ever for me!
Not sure whether I’m getting hardened to the misery in my old age or whether i’m getting softer in the head!Roll on the flat and a bit of proper racing – even if we’re going to have to do without King Kieren for yet another season!
It was good that the North had a few winners when you consider that the racing bigwigs want everything down south and to dumb down the North with poor quality racing.
Mister McGoldrick was a real highlight as he owes nobody anything and ran with more zest than Kauto Star and made me tingle when he jumped the last.
You cant beat Northern Racing its brilliant, Roll on Aintree a real 3 day festival
…and at some Festivals the bigwigs more or less get their way.
An old TRF chatroom quiz question, this, but who can tell me – without cheating! – the name of the only Northern-trained winner at the 2004 Cheltenham Festival? Bonus points for trainer and jockey.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
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