Cheltenham Reaction:
Tuesday
All of the woe of day one is washed away as I have a blinder of a day with 3 G1 wins.
Its All In The Hips - Champion Bumper - 1st - Ran a very patient race in the middle of the pace until the final 2f, when she went through the gears, usually goes well on heavy though likely profited as others did not. Not going to be back this girl, just lost her 5yo trial place.
Fantastique - Golden Miller - 2nd - Ran the right sort of race, indeed set his run ideally at about 4f, just not able to quite manage the class of Chestnut Suprise in the finish. Another who lost his spot on the trial sheets as a 6yo and will not be back.
Chase The Record - Ryanair - 5th - Largely held up until about 7f and moved into position nicely, wide run may not have been ideal, did not really go when I would have liked and was slow to really press, but made good ground when he did. Likely just found out by better today. Could make a return as a 6yo.
Eights A Mystery - Stayers Hurdle - 1st - In a race I won last year with 'Hexbag' could not be happier to see this chap run a blinder and take it this, after himself winning the Albert Bartlett last season. Did it all right on the day. Have no 7yo version of him so retirement likely.
Falling Through Clouds and Hex Of Life - Browns Plate - 2nd & 3rd cannot really fault either, though I had expected them to finish the otherway round between them. Weight likely made the difference for Clouds. Both could be returning as 6yo's.
Game Set Match - Mares Novice - 4th - Never really got going and failed miserably in the last set of trials, so will not be back. Likely to be one of only two horses in the stable not to grab a win this year.
Eights The Fences - Kim Muir - Fell. In contention for a return in the hurdle team next year.
Kingdom of Gods - Triumph Hurdle - 2nd - Thought she might have a little more at the end after running the race very well, just got out stayed by a better horse.
Eights The Conclsuon - Albert Bartlett - 1st - Ran superbly to win the race Eights A Mystery won last year. Already know she will be back for the Stayers next season as remains a feature on my trials at 6yo. 3m hurdlers = check.
Wednesday
Only one winner, but what a winner it was. All gripes from day one forgotten
Maximum Impact - Gold Cup - 1st - The win is something of a bitter sweet, I am clearly delighted with winning it for the first time as the pinacle of jump racing for me, but to do it when my two biggest rivals both fall, sours it a little. She was breed for this and entered as a 5yo as I know she is better at 6yo and I wanted two seasons from her. Absolutly certain to be back to defened it next year, and she is altogether better in my view.
Zombie - Martin Pipe - 8th - Never got into his race, got strung out and was likely then done with her weight. Cannot say I am especially worried though. No return next year for this girl.
Kingdom of Animals & Hip to be Square - 7th & 16th - Neither horse I liked for this with both high in the weights, Hip should have really been my no2 in the champion hurdle. Neither set to return right now.
The Mighty Eight - Fell. At the start of the year I had wanted to bring her in as a 5yo, based on the her as a 7yo, where she now leads a trial group she could be in contention to come back stronger.
Think there were some flats races too, but pfft.........
Thanks to all those behind the scenes, the previews and comms were excellent.
Josh