March 10 – Cheltenham – Old Park Star – 78
One of the races of the meeting on paper beforehand and it didn’t disappoint, with the figure it produced working out as the second best only behind Gaelic Warrior’s in the Gold Cup. Sober Glory, as predicted, ensured the pace was strong from the outset and Philip Hobbs & Johnson White’s inmate was still cracking along at a fair lick heading down to the last. Unfortunately, he made a bad mistake just when he needed to maintain his advantage and he was ultimately picked off by Nicky Henderson’s inmate on the climb to the line. Whether he would have won for certain is open to debate, but either way, this was another effort to suggest he is top class. The third home, Mydaddypaddy also deserves plenty of credit for the way he performed and he might have finished a good deal closer had he not challenged in between his two main rivals on the run-in. All in all, a cracking race and the first three home all should enjoy fruitful campaigns over fences next season. As for the winner, he has the size and scope to do really well as a chaser and it easy to see why he is favourite for next year’s Arkle.
March 10 – Cheltenham – Kargese – 76
If ever the old adage “jumping is the name of game” summarised a race, this was it. In short, Willie Mullins’ mare made the fewest mistakes of the big three in the betting and although she wasn’t the best horse in the race in terms of ability, she was the one who put it all together on the day. Many thought beforehand, the hard race she endured at the DRF might have a detrimental effect on her performance come Cheltenham but such is her constitution, she was able to shrug aside that bruising encounter a month prior and bounce back in the best possible fashion. In-keeping with how her stable’s horses keep improving through the season, she once again was able to peak again at Cheltenham and with that in mind, she will no doubt be a player in next season’s Champion Chase. As for Kopek Des Bordes, he ran well for a horse so inexperienced but ultimately, his last fence blunder proved the crucial turning point and he ended up having to settle for a gallant second. There will be other days for him, as there will be for Lulamba, who also made a mistake at the worst possible moment.
March 11 – Cheltenham – Kitzbuhel – 75
A stellar renewal of the Brown Advisory and it saw Willie Mullins’ grey jump his rivals into submission from the front. Just as he did in the Kauto Star at Kempton, the seven-year-old got into a lovely early rhythm and despite being sternly tackled by Final Demand after the last, he gamely held his stable mate at bay on the run-in. Whether he is asked to go again this season remains to be seen but on the evidence of his display at Cheltenham and, in particular, at the Sunbury venue previously, he looks tailor made for the King George, for which he has been quoted around the 10-1 mark generally. Of the rest, Oscar’s Brother shaped well on ground far from ideal and he will be a major contender for one of the National’s towards the end of the season if asked to go down that route.
March 11 – Cheltenham – Il Etait Temps – 76
A race that revolved around the demise of Majborough and once the writing was on the wall at the top of the hill, it soon became a straight shoot out between Willie Mullins’ second string and Leau Du Sud, a battle that was quickly decided after two out. In the build up to the festival, the son of Jukebox Jury was the forgotten horse of the race but it was significant how strong he was in the betting in the last 24 hours and those who clearly knew the time of day, ended up getting some cracking value about a horse who had carried all before him in the two-mile division up to that point. If every there was a lesson in not writing off a horse after one bad run, this was it. As for Majborough, he clearly can be a very talented horse when things go his way, but for some reason the inner course at Cheltenham doesn’t play into his strengths and he can only be a proper betting proposition at Leopardstown – a track that suits his eye better.
March 12 – Cheltenham – Heart Wood – 75
A race diluted significantly in terms of quality and interest with the late defection of Fact To File and those course of events panned out in favour of Henry De Bromhead’s inmate, who went one place better than the previous year. Very much geared around coming back for a second bite around the cherry, his preparations, unlike many others, were uninterrupted and that smooth path towards the festival enabled him to peak when it mattered most. Tracking the strong pace set from the start, the eight-year-old was always travelling and jumping like the most likely winner and he stormed clear once given his head after two out. A proper specialist at this trip, he will surely come back again next season in a bid to retain his crown.
March 13 – Cheltenham – Dinoblue
No hanging in this Grade 1 with Telepathique setting strong fractions from the start and the sound gallop played right into the hands of Willie Mullins’ mare, who once again, proved she is the top dog in this division. The daughter of Doctor Dino can make the odd mistake, but you could not fault the way she operated over her fences on this occasion and she powered up the hill to leave her main market rival, Panic Attack, trailing in her wake. Unbeaten now in her last six starts against her own sex, she will take plenty of stopping at Punchestown.
March 13 – Cheltenham – Gaelic Warrior – 83
Even without Fact To File and Spillane’s Tower, a classy and competitive renewal of the Gold Cup and it produced a brilliant winner in the shape of Willie Mullins’ charge. Much maligned, the son of Maxios has never got the respect he deserved despite dining at the top table for much of his career and it was good to finally see him gain his due rewards. Given a confident ride by Paul Townend, his mount was always travelling well within himself and once set alight turning for home, the race was in safekeeping. As we have seen in recent times, it is never easy to retain your crown in this race but you would be a brave man to suggest this fella couldn’t, especially as he appears to be hitting the peak of his powers.