As one of the 'few' who train jump horses properly in a jumps game with jumps stock, this is the only week that really matters for me so I thought I would go back to doing a more detailed write up. All in all day one at Cheltenham has been a massive disappointment with a number of my fancied big race runners putting in a poor show or just falling short on the day.
The Irish King - Supreme Novice - 6th - Not overly fancied by me, but still ran poorly, left it all a little too late to react to the charge and was beaten by himself by being in last place as they all broke.
The Perfect Match - Arkle -3rd - Breed for this and with G1 sucess already this season was one I had really liked for the race, little more cut in the ground would have aided, but that cannot account for a shocking run where like Irish King above, left himself far too much to do when finally deciding to break for the line. That he made up great ground when he did makes it all the more disaapointing.
Time to Kill & Battle for Sparta - Ultima -13th and 8th - Two horses that as was suggested in the preview show, would have been no2 options for the Gold Cup and really should not have been running this under the weight they did or ever even be in a handicap, but my 3.2m specialist 'Maximum Impact' was all aboout that distance whereas these two are really 3m horses. No suprise both ran poorly and never really got into it. The top 5 all carrying bottom weight. Time to Kill is just about in contention for a return at 7yo, but she has a lot of compeition from her decendents.
The Big Show - Champion Hurdle - 7th - One I really liked for this, ran a reasonably decent race and was well positioned for a time, but when it mattered at the 4f mark she did not get any room or was not asked by the jock and let about 4 others get the jump on her, pushed the button at 2.5f, far too late, and was at speed by 2f by which time it was all over, a slow last jump then did the rest for I think her lowest finish all season. Massive disappointment. And no stu not named after the wrestler, is part of a 'Show' line of hurdlers and there are many variants of the name. Right now on the trial sheets 'Lord of the Show' 'The Lords Show' 'The World on Show' 'The Perfect Show' & 'The Super Show'
Third Prophet - Glenfarclas - 5th - Nothing much to like about this horse all season, and sadly too young for the National, ran ok and stayed on well, but expect she will be one of my few winless NH team horses.
The Right Stuff - David Nicholson - 1st - My best 2.4m hurdler at trial and a week five upload, looks set to return next year as a 6yo right now. Fallen short a few times, but goes on pretty much any surface and is brilliant in the mud. Ran a solid race from midfield and then ideally positioned in 4th at the business end, started going through the gears perfectly at the 4f mark to keep in range of the early breakers, hitting high at 2f from a great position, slow final jump made it more interesting but a good turn of foot in the last 1f. Any win is great at Cheltenham, but small consolation for missing the G1's.
Consequence of Stars - Close Brothers Novice -8th - If ever a horse has made me reconsider my entries for next season it is this chap. A top 3m hurdlers who never gets a race against the better options in my team, but is almost certainly also G1 class, probably ran more chases than hurdles now. Never got going today, but as this is both way too short and over fences I have no complaints. More deliberate handicapers coming soon.
Kingdom of Our Lord - Neptune -3rd - Another one I liked for this, though am now left wishing I had entered G1 winning stable mate 'Deer Hunter' who trial form says is better. Not sure what my final choice was based on. As per others above, ran a stupidly lazy race and was last and drifting at 5f. Went straight up to speed when finally realising the race had started at 4f, already too late against this class of horse. Made up a stack of ground but frustratingly left way too much to do.
Battle of The Hot Gates - RSA - 2nd - Had a dreadful start to the season, but had found form in time for Cheltenham and I really liked one who is certain to return at 6yo. Jumped well and ran well enough until the 5f mark when he should have been putting himself in touch. Instead had a bit of a nap, lost the rail and had to faff about looking for a wide run. Last at the 3f mark and giving eventual winner Hot Port about 8 lengths, stayed well from that stage after the race was already lost. Another disappointment.
Eagle Has Landed - Coral Cup - 10th - Awfully lazy run again from last years winner of this race and G1 hatton grace winner this. Seems to be my lot for day one, but did not look like ever troubling the highly impressive top weight winner 'Attorney General'. Retirement for this one, there will be no return and his line has already been removed from my barns.
Kingdom of Colts - Queen Mother -5th - Never really fancied him for this, my 2m chasers have not shown a great deal this season and the class is getting some very serious attention in breeding. Actually looking a lot better as a 6yo in trials right now so could be making a come back if that sort of form holds (and depending how much breeding I do on which code). No real gripes on his run today.
Pray for a Miracle - National Hunt Chase - 1st - Without doubt the single most dissapointing race winner I have ever had, and I utterly knew this would happen. My only Grand National hope, hardly finished a race all season and was thus nicely rated for next week, then got a 3rd place finish last week all good, but I liked him off favourable weights, nearly did not run him, but its Cheltenham. Runs an utter blinder today under top weight, of all the stupid things to do, even tried to fall once late on, then stayed fantastically well. All good really.............., bugger it
Flat one winner with 'Wait Your Turn' again showing great class as a 3yo stayers, and just wait to see him at 4yo next year. But who cares about the micky mouse flat races anyway.