Wow!

I've been in this league since season 3 and there was a time when I was dominant on the flat with many G1s every season, but NOTHING has given me a bigger kick than watching Allesandra Dee stay on up the hill to win the Gold Cup!! I had not even rated her in my top 5 chances and was already happy with 3 winners so this was the icing on the cake! Almost as happy with Veloren In Der Menge who has now won over 3m and 4m in successive weeks which in this league is some achievement.

Top job on the commentaries by all - really adds to the whole occasion. They seem to get better and better with time..

Summary of my runers:

The Perfect Storm: Outpaced in the Arkle but ran well considering

Double Dee: Solid run in Champion Hurdle. No more than expected

Navadee: Fell in William Hill. Not unexpected as jumping very suspect

The Viper: Gave away bags of weight to most of the field but won very nicely

Guns Of Navarone: Solid 4th in Fred Winter as much as I was expecting from him

Memphis Dee: Unexpectedly good run to make the frame in the Ballymore Properties

Double One: Comfortably won the RSA with a really impressive performance - one of the easiest winners of the week.

Veloren In Der Menge: Love this horse so was delighted to see her hold on nicely for the win in the Peter O Sullevan Chase. WAs worried after last weeks win over 3m that my trials were all wrong but she proved herself in style

Blue Stratos: My weakest runer by far this week and ran accordingly in the bumper..

Mistress Aurora: Showed well in the Jewson but weight told in the end.

Manaconda: Jumping let him down as feared in the Ryanair

Lush: Happy with 4th in World Hurdle behind very impessive winner.

Tango Chick: Figured her a good thing in the RP Handicap but can't win if you don't jump the fences.

Simon De Montfort: Has completely lost his way as season progressed so no surprise with his fall n the Kim Muir

Allesandra Dee: Won. The. Gold. Cup. Nothing more to say

Draco Malfoy After the previous race I could not have cared less when he fell in the Foxhunters though I had fancied him seriously in this.

Congrats to all the winners - I'm off to watch the Gold Cup again

Padraig

None of the handicaps were won by more than 2 1/2 lengths. Doesn't suggest a major issue to me and I would hate for someone who has won a big handicap this week to feel it was somehow unjustified.

A handicapper would be great but it would have to be someone who deeply understands the game because they have the capability of pushing things the wrong way.

For instance, comparing ratings of horses that don't compete against each other - very dangerous ground. Like comparing Albertas Run in the Ryanir to Imperial Commander in the Gold Cup.

I think having a handicapper would be to much work, just ask Thunderspark about how much time he put into doing his horse rankings spreadsheet, and he wasn't even adjusting any ratings.

One thing I would say is your horses rating can jump up but doesn't seem to come back down to quickly.

Princess Wisteria 3rd - Pleasing run to say the ground was totally against her.
Smoking Aces F - Was travelling well before he fell. Don't think he would have won anyways.
Faramir Askarar 1st - Excellent ride the jockey gave him here this week. Didn't expect a win with the ground, but knew he would run very close. Has to be the best 2m Hurdler in the league this season. He's beaten the very best and never been out of the top 4.
Follow Flanders 4th - Solid effort this week, giving huge weight away. Just ran out of steam in the end.
Cadabyr Bazyular 2nd - The ground played a massive part in his defeat this week. Take nothing away from the winner he won well. Congrats Nick.
Moonshine F - Been very frustrated with this horse, just hasn't showed her true form. Thought she had a great chance this week. So glad iv got some real 3mC talent for the rest of the season. Super Satin is a freak at home.
Aurora Skyz 3rd - Another who hates this ground. Was so pleased with her effort though.
Game Player 1st - What can i say 12 stone on his back and wins. Didn't expect this to happen to any horse with that weight this season. I've always said he's just below my best 2m5H.
Time Medician F - Didn't expect much this week. Just want to get some runs in him before the National. If he can stay in the 120s he will go very close in the GN.
Admiral 2nd - What a race!! thought she had got up on the line. At home she hates the ground, so was happy she ran as good has she did. Congrats Kenny, excellent front running performance.
Multi Changer 2nd - Could have saved her Handicap mark for this race instead of running her in week 11. The weight just found her out this week.
Muchidoaboutnothing F - Gutted about the fall. The one thing she loves is this track and 2m5f. If she would have stayed on her feet it would have been very close.
Smooth Sailing 8th - Made a big mistake entering her, in this race on this ground. Noise Count on times would have won this race or gone very close indeed. Guess you live and learn.
Noise Count 1st - What a performance this week, with top weight on his back. Should have put him in the World Hurdle, reason i didn't i deleted him from my CK lol.
Lippy Slap - 1st - This mare has gears. The way she pick up was unreal. I just love her to bits, my favourite horse iv ever had in the NH. Not sure whether to run her in the G1 at Fairyhouse next week. My only concern is she doesn't like the track.
Hard At It 1st - The target for this horse when i uploaded her was this race. So happy she has done the business. Will most likely be back next season for 2m4fH races.
Rollerz 1st - Knew this horse had a massive race in him. Glad it was here at the Festival. Don't think he'll race again this season, got loads better at home, who am going to upload for the rest of the season.
Paramore 3rd - Nice effort this week. Another one of main who loves this course. I will be going all out to win this race next season. Congrats Padraig.
Champix 1st - Really didn't expect this horse to stay on his feet. He quiet useful on his day and showed that here. Well pleased.
Cacamiri 7th - Never had a chance today. Was only having a day out.

Great Cheltenham for my stable. Didn't think i would have this many winners to be honest, 90% of my stable are good and soft ground horses.

Congrats to all winners and place setters.

Great Comms btw guys

Outstanding Hemz, this must be the best ever festival performance from a trainer, well done mate.

Thanks Kenny, really appreciate it mate. It's been hardwork, but it's all been worth it for this meeting.

Got a few new upload am quiet excited about. Mainly testing the water for next season.

When jacob did the Flat it was awesome,yes l agree hard work but l feel especially in the NH there is commited players who would gladly do it. Maybe split and have 1 for hurdles 1 for chases. In my opinion the old 1 president for each UK, US and NH needs to be brought in. Im not sure what rich's feelings are on this matter but l feel something needs to be done this season so it can be inplace tryed and tested for next season. It shares the workload massively and lets the commited people target there favourite area and make it great. Ryan is just incredible for the NH and although talk is of leaving l feel if had that role he would make the NH the best league by miles. Handicappers are hard but if we have an independant presidnet for each league they can sort it out between them. I very much doubt jacob would return but that was just the best handicapping l have seen. My 1st runner has run this week and finished 2nd in group 3 and is now rated 10Ilbs less than the GOLD CUP WINNER??

I won two handicaps and my horses were nicely weighted!travelling prayer was perhaps rated too low for his ability

I hear what ur sayin rich, i may very well be wrong!!like u say maybe the benefits to workload ratio wud not be worth it!

Why does tom rate stayers so highly?? I mean aliceva went up to 130 for coming 2nd in a maiden in week 1!!then up to 150 after wimnimg two hcaps

Then u have a horse like worldsbest wims on debut goes up to only 116!?

I've considered the role of president in great depth but I am still undecided. Paul did a fantastic job as NH President, knows everything about the league and has a great passion for it.

Filling his shoes would be a massive task, he is now more of an executive consultant. Chairman of the NHC!

A president is there to provide inspiration and direction for the league, once the season has started there are few things to do in this respect. Schedule amendments, of course, but I'm happy to hear suggestions from anyone in that regard and have done all season.

The other thing I want to avoid is having too many people involved in the administration of the league. Too many people were involved in the previous league and that meant many people knew the results before the release day. Maybe more than those who didn't know!

Now Ryan is taking a break from the competition I think he may have the time to look at ways to improve the league, a "president" of sorts without putting the obligation on him to put more time than is fair in. Next season is all about getting a platform down for SO5. I'm looking at big changes for USRA, schedule tweaks for NHC and some je ne sais quoi for UKRA.

R1.Doras Way(9th) ran as well as i thought near the back..

R2.Angies Delight(F) fell midway

R3.Chicken Soup(F) first ever fall for this one even in 5 seasons racing back home

R4.Another Baringo(F) another horse with a first time ever fall can see a pattern emerging

R5.Rotuma(10th) virtually PU very disappointed with this run

R6.Enchanted Ambry(13th) last no disappointment there !

R7.Mickehaha(8th) last again can only get better from here surely

R8.Way To Go Pam(10th) another last sheesh

R9. No Runner

R10. No Runner

R11.Intoxicating(F) very disappointed thought he had a gr8 shout here

R12. No Runner

R13.Blue Sky(16th) too many errors and needs holding up

R14.Basil Large(F) not surprised with this run

R15.Nearctic(9th) run far better than finishing position suggests

R16.Great Billing(1st) Shock of all shocks ..ran and jumped real well..flabbergasted??

R17.Green Park(2nd) ran an absolute blinder thought it would win 2f out...my horses have run well in this race in the past

R18.Great Pamela(1st) knew there was a big race is this mare in her fav ground.. in a week where her son won as well(Great Billing) gr8 to see her come back again at the end to get up close home...chuffed to bits at this one !

R19.Midasman(PU) no surprise here

R20. No Runner

R21. No Runner

R22.Ruissec(F) sad at this fall as i thought it had a 'squeak'

R23.Spinamix(2nd) Ran a blinder thought it would win coming to the last but well done Del..ran well for you Rich !

R24. No Runner

R25. No Runner


Absolutely brilliant festival for my stable with 2 winners and 2 seconds
could not be a happier chappie

Well done all winners & placers..especially Scotty,Hemz & Padraig

G.I. Jane was the performance of the Festival ..for me!

Craig made it look oh so ez...lol

Chuffed at Padraig winning the Gold Cup could not have gone to a nicer guy

Gr8 racing Gr8 Comms but tinged with sadness at Ryan's decision to quit
hope he reconsiders that decision i for one thought he was an ideal President as he is like myself a NH Nut

Rich ..as long as im around i will be here for anyone seeking advise on all NHC matters..no matter how trivial or large it should be

Paul(LR)

Personally we do need Handicappers for the NH next season.

Some ratings are just crazy, and so unrealistic.

Chase horses are getting way more higher ratings than Hurdle ratings.

It would be a great idea to have the Presidents back for all 3 leagues again. People who are passionate about there favourite leagues will give great imput and fresh idea's.

Would be great if Ryan could be the President of the NH, iv never known a person so enthusiastic about making this league better and taking it forward to the next level. GIVE HIM THE JOB RICH, that's if he still wants it that is.

Am willing to tweak the schedule right away for next season so everything is in place, why in advance. I know other people are wanting to help out aswell.

I understand Rich about giving people admin rights, and seeing the races in advance. There must be some why of avoiding this, am not sure. But it's not a big issue to be honest.

Great races and commentaries and a few decent performances from my lot at the festival but without any wins unfortunately. Well done all winners and placers especially Hemz and a well deserved double for Paul.

Go On Go On Go On 4th (Supreme Nov)- Solid effort from this one being touched off for 3rd close home.
Zafonic 6th (Arkle) - Really good effort from him considering the going was much too lively (he likes it v. soft) and the trip was on the sharp side also. Next week will be much more to his liking.
Picture Book 2nd (William Hill) - Ran well but lost her chance with a bad mistake 3 out when making ground on the leaders and then jumped slowly at the last. Would have gone very close otherwise.
Perry Said 12th (Fred Winter) - Top weight and beaten out of sight.
Happy House 6th (Queen Mother) - Ran ok but like Zafonic found the trip on the sharp side.
White Light F (Coral Cup) - Probably realised he was up against it and took a dive.
Darnley 8th (Jewson) - Trip was too far and he didn't jump well enough anyway.
King Tut 4th (Ryanair) - Race wasn't run to suit and he ended up in front far too early. I'm pleased with 4th considering how the race panned out but I did expect him to make the frame.
Detox 5th (World Hurdle) - Ran a solid race to finish 5th but I have to admit I thought he would be in the first 3. Winner was very impressive though.
Thor 7th (Racing Post) - Jumping let him down badly. Did well to complete the course.
Penny Lane 4th (Triumph) - Good run. Beaten by better horses.
Vivious Lover 9th (Gold Cup) - Travelled well until he lost his position around 4 fences out and was always struggling after.
Sacrifice 8th (Foxhunters) - Ran ok but never had a hope lumping 12st.
House of Leaves 2nd (Johnny Henderson) - Good effort to finish 2nd. I thought he might win 1.5f out but the winner was too good.
Big Commotion 4th (County Hurdle) - A creditable effort in 4th. Would have been interesting to see what would have happened if he jumped the last ok.

Thnx Kev..appreciated muckah

Wish it was that easy Paul lol.

I've never been so nervous, about watching this weeks races.

Congrats on your 2 wins pal, i know how much it means to you.

guys my decision to quit was not due to not being a president for the nhc or anything to do with me thinkin the current league was run poorly. ive stated over on my thread about quitting that it is not a case of having less spare time, i just felt i cudnt justify putting all that time into starting a new game to try and get a stable.

im genuinely saddened by the thought of not being a part of the league, and chuffed to bits to see so many trainers saying id be missed - makes doing things for the league worthwile.

even if i do not have a stable to compete i will still help the league with as much , if not more, time and effort as i do now. I love the league more than i love winning the races in it!!!

regarding the role of presidents - rich has done a brilliant job on his own, i dont think anyone wud know how hard it cud be unless they were given the role!! i do agree with his comment about too many people seeing the races before release , is a very good point!!

one idea i like to combat impatience and to give something to every day of the week is to release festival races on their corresponding days. like this cheltenham festival could of been released tues weds thurs and fri - spread it out like it is in real life. same could go for all major festivals. could work well next season!!

the handicapping is something which needs to be discussed in depth, looking at all aspects of it - rich makes some good points about.

Anyway guys im off to bed - just wanted to clarify why i was wanting to quit league , that it was due to not wanting to spend hours into getting new game going . ill always be here for the league, especially the NHC!

Paul is a legend and i agree would be hard to fill his boots. I do think however that the NHC and flat should be focussed on seperatley to massively improve both disciplines next season. not just for the leagues but for rich as it is too much for him to do to make changes for every league.