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What is the one over-arching memory you will have from Cheltenham 2021? The thing that will be etched indelibly?
It has to be the coronation of Rachael Blackmore as a star.
She did it from the front, from the back and the middle, showing the ability to control races and to prevent other runners from getting as good a run as she was.
I just hope she can do it again next year in front of a crowd.
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Female top jockey
General: Rachael Blackmore. Absolutely brilliant.
Personal: Sceau Royal being squeezed out. Cost me a few quid.
Lack of atmosphere due to no crowds. Won’t last long in the memory this one. Worst festival of all time. Sport without fans does not come close to sport with fans regardless of what the sport is and Cheltenham was no different. Roll on the Aintree festival and hopefully some atmosphere. Quickly forgotten 2021 festival. Blackmore was outstanding is all I would take from it.
Jordan Gainford on The Shunter was incredible. He went off from the front and the horse was pulling double all the way round. I seriously think he could have gone another circuit.
“Sport without fans does not come close to sport”
If four days of top-class racing takes place in Gloucestershire and there is nobody there to watch it, does it actually exist?
Spectators don’t make the sport.
Agree that the absence of a crowd hurt the meeting. It felt very strange on Tuesday. Maybe it was a bit more familiar by Friday but it was still a bit flat.
Also agree with the view that Rachael Blackmore was the star of the show. She took her already impressive career to another level. Honeysuckle was great but I think her best moment was on Alloha. That was a brilliant display of powerful galloping and jumping and the equine performance of the week.
But my abiding memory is the 23-5 scoreline which has to raise questions about the state of NH racing in Britain. Not a single victory over hurdles from British runners. And the 5 races they win included three of the more minor races (Ultima, Grand Annual and Foxhunters). Chantry House was possibly fortunate so only Shishkin put up a top class performance for the British. Not a good return.
I strongly disagree and say that spectators do make the sport.
Yes we saw some great races and top class horses but there was something majorly lacking and it was atmosphere. Dullest festival of all time.
Lack of atmosphere was striking, although loved seeing the guard of honour after the win of
Heaven Help Us, and the jockey cam from Harry Cobden seeing Bob Olinger cruise past was priceless.I agree with Robbo that spectators make the sport. It was okay to have the US, French and Australian Open with less or no spectators, but it can’t go on like that.
Forgot to mention the Irish super mares, no matter if handicaps or championship races, they were winning all over the place.
Rachael deserves a very special mention as well and as already said so many times, she is light years ahead of any female riders that ever sat on a horse.
I wouldn’t just put Rachel as the best female jockey of all time. She is the best jockey I have seen since Ruby Walsh who I would rate as the greatest of all time. Phenomenal.
Also forgot to mention, the grace and professionalism of Jonathan Moore giving up the ride on Flooring Porter, and Vanillier, hope he is fit for Cheltenham next year!
Rachael Blackmore pretty much riding Harry Cobden’s horse as well as her own to keep Gaillard du Mesnil in the trap behind, then pushing the button at the right moment, winging the last on Bob Olinger and scorching away to win. A good jockey on a good horse in total control of the race.
Sadly only backing 1 winner all 4 days. Roll on next year.
However watching Blackmore is something else. She just outrides other jockeys.
I know she didn’t win the Gold Cup but she certainly stopped Townsend from winning it with her move on the bend. That was a top class move and something that only a few possess. Unfortunately it didn’t work out for her this time but she is top class.
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