Cheltenham Festival 2018. Review of Day Three and Four

First up on day three was the JLT Novices Chase over two miles three furlongs. The sun was out and the ground was officially soft. From the off Bigmartre jumped out to the lead and took the field along a steady pace. Terrefort was always up with the early pace along with Finian's Oscar, Benetar was tanking along early with Jamie Moore having to fight to get his mount to settle. That was still the order as they went out onto the second circuit. Mistakes appeared as the pace stepped up a touch with both Kemboy and Invitation Only both hotting fences. Modus was the next to go through one as the race began in earnest. Four out and Terrefort was just about to to take it up with the strong travelling Finian's Oscar moving to the outside, but as soon as he entered calculations he quickly came off the bridle and looked beat. Terrefort moved well out in front with the mare Shattered Love tanking into contention under Jack Kennedy, Benatar was still there on the inside. Two out and Terrefort was the last to come under pressure for Daryl Jacob but Shattered Love jumped slightly better and into the lead at the last. She stayed on strongly to win by seven from Terrefort and Benetar third. I think there should be more to come from the first three, the second and third were right up there with the pace and from the off, especially Benetar who pulled Jamie Moore's arms off early on. The mare won well though even with her weight allowance. Chalk up another one for Gordon Elliott.

The Stayers' Hurdle might be Thursdays Championship race, however there is no denying the Ryanair Chase is almost as big a highlight on the day. The field was a small one with only six runners, possibly frightened off by facing odds on favourite Un De Sceaux. Last years winner had been in imperious form and was seen by many as one of the good things of the week. Old favourite Cue Card jumped out in front and set a steady pace, Sub Lieutenant followed closely behind with Un De Sceaux keeping an eye on things in third. Cloudy Dream Frodon and Balko Des Flos were all happily dropped in at the tail. Up the hill for the first time and it was like watching last years race again as Un De Sceaux jumped himself to the lead. Like Ruby Walsh last year there didn't seem to be anything Paul Townend could do but go for the ride. Out into the country and Paddy Brennan was already having to niggle away on Cue Card as Balko Des Flos moved alongside. At the tenth fence the favourite was still laying it on his rivals and Cue Card was now being ridden, his race run and no happy ending that would of brought the house down. At the twelfth fence and Balko Des Flos moved into second to keep close to the rampaging leader, meanwhile Cue Card was sadly being pulled up. Four from home and still he went striding along, but now Balko Des Flos was coming right into contention and if anything moving better than Townends mount. Three out and Balko Des Flos jumped alongside and two strides later in front for the first time. Two out and Un De Sceaux was fully under the pump now while Davy Russell still  sat motionless. The last was jumped and the gap was never going to be breached, there was nothing left in the tank. There has been some discussion before and after as to whether Un De Sceaux fully stays two and a half miles on soft ground. For me he beat everything else by eight lengths and more. Maybe he was a little disappointing, I think he just got beat by a younger and better horse on the day.  

Onto the big race, for three mile staying hurdlers. Sometimes this race has had it's critics as against the other more popular Championship races. However this year seemed to be an especially good renewal, with chances a plenty. The six year old Sam Spinner was a well backed favourite on the day in from 3/1 to 9/4 at the off. He had looked good in winning his races up this day and people saw him as an improving youngster ready to rule at the very top. He would have to fight off solid top tier rivals like Yanworth, Unowhatimeanharry and The New One. Supasundae had been near the top of the market since his win in the Coral Cup last year and had looked a better horse this year. Then there was Willie Mullins' Penhill, off for a year but no doubting very talented, as a defeat of Monalee and Presenting Percy would testify. As per his normal way Sam Spinner set off in front with everyone else happy to sit in behind, Lil Rockerfeller and Donna's Diamond were the closest for the first mile. The field was quite well strung out indicating a decent yet not silly pace set up top, Yanworth and Supasundae were the two of the closet pursuers from the top of the betting. Onto the final circuit and no real change in the order from the start with Penhill and L'Ami Serge bringing up the rear but still well in touch. To three out and still Sam Spinner was taking them along but his jumping had started to desert him a little, the field covered by no more than about 8 to 10 lengths ready to gang up on the youngster. At the second last it was pick your winner time as about six jumped it together. Rounding the turn for home and he was still there in front but there were dangers a plenty from all sides. Donna's Diamond was still pressing the leader on his outside but more danger lurked behind in the strong travelling pair of Supasundae and Penhill, Yanworth was still there too just on their inside. Coming to the last and Supasundae was just beginning to be pushed along while Penhill sat on the bridle. A great jump at the last put Penhill in front but back came Supasundae, nose to nose they went until the last 100 yards where Penhill stayed on stronger to win snugly by a couple. Supasundae ran a cracker and would probably prefer better ground and Wholestone stayed on well up the hill to take third. At seven years old and having been off for a year I suspect there is a lot more improvement to come from the winner.

In the Brown Advisory Plate it was a case of the normal as Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell again teamed up to bring home the money. The Storyteller stayed on best to just hold off the ever game Splash Of Ginge. It looked like he was going to hang on for victory until that man Russell again had the midas touch to bring The Storyteller home just before the line. It was certainly an impressive performance from the winner who was also giving the runner up just under a stone. King's Odyssey and Ballyalton ran solid races in defeat with the well backed King's Socks in fifth. The Kim Muir for amateurs was the last race on the card. And what a ride Noel McParlan gave the winner Missed Approach. He led from start to finish of the three mile two contest. Ridden from three out he hit the last but stayed on gamely up the hill with a thou shall not pass attitude as strong favourite Mall Dini came to win his race. I would say that was up there with rides of the week. If that was gutsy then there was also classy during the day in the shape of Willie Mullins' Laurina in the Mares Novice Hurdle. Some would say what did she beat, but you can only win against what is in front of you. She absolutely hosed up by 18 lengths on the hard on the bridle. They may not have been the best of opposition but there is no doubt this mare is very, very good and perfectly timed to possibly replace the retired Annie Power and Vroum Vroum Mag.

Three Standouts from the day. Willie Mullins for his training performance with Penhill. Noel McParland's day he will never forget and great ride. Laurina looks class.

The fourth and final day, Gold Cup day. What a race it looked like being later in the day. Before that story was to unfold we had three races to enjoy. First up was the Triumph Hurdle for the juveniles. Apple's Shakira was a well backed favourite, with previous winning form at Cheltenham she was supposedly the owners best chance of the week. Stormy Ireland and Sussex Ranger were lit up early and both jockeys struggled to get the mounts to settle. Even in midfield The favourite and Gumball were both pulling hard too. Mr Adjudicator, Redicean and Farclas were all held up and had settled better off the gallop being set at the front. Round the top turn from the straight and Sayo joined the front two and the three of them were side by side laying it on. Halfway and Farclas and Redicean had closed up along with Gumball. Into the final five furlongs and still the pace at the front was full on and you had to believe that those at the front weren't going to get home. Rounding the home turn and it looked like Apple's Shakira was looming into contention up the inside, however she quickly came off the bridle and all the energy used up earlier had cost her the race. Stormy Island was still somehow tanking into the straight with Farclas and Mr Adjudicator staying on from the back. Coming to the last and Stormy Island emptied out, it was between Mullins and Elliott again. Jack Kennedy drove out Farclas for boss Elliott with Mr Adjudicator having to settle for second. Sayo stuck at it to finish third and to her credit Apple's Shakira stayed on for fourth but her chances dashed in the first mile.

Mohaayed was quite a convincing if not surprise winner for Dan Skelton and Bridget Andrews in the County Hurdle. None more surprised than trainer and his brother who got off the horse to ride Spiritorthegames as they didn't think he would like the ground. Dan Skelton admitted to taking the horse out but for the owners to chance running. Remiluc ran a huge race in second at 50/1 with quite fancied Whisky Sour in third. Chesterfield fresh from winning a jumpers bumper at Kempton recently continued his good form in fourth.
Another big price winner came in the Albert Bartlett novices hurdle, Kilbricken Storm won well by three lengths for Colin Tizzard. What a timely boost for the stable with Native River set for the Gold Cup in the next race. Nicky Henderson had the second and third with Ok Corral again at a fair price of 16/1 and Santini the 11/4 favourite

Next was the big one, the one they all want. It was Gold Cup time. The tape went up and off they went, as expected Native River was sent to the front by Richard Johnson. Guarenteed to stay and proven on the ground it was thought he might put it to them early on with stamina his strength. Might Bite was close up in second, his stamina might be suspect on this ground being more a speed horse. We would soon see as they pushed on with Our Duke close up and American, supplemented at a cost for the race on the outside. Definitely Red who had jumped off with the leaders had just been shuffled back slightly alongside Anibale Fly. At fence number ten Native river had a length on Might Bite and the pair of them four clear of the field as they looked to assert themselves and press on. Djakadam Moved into third and Our Duke dropped back into the main group, Definitely Red also looked to be under a little pressure with the pace. The first circuit was done and the front two were out in front and jumping for fun Nico de Boinville never letting Native River get to much of a lead. As they rounded the turn out into the country the order was pretty much the same. Definitely Red and Our Duke were soon coming off the bridle with sure signs of trouble already. Five to jump and the two looked in a class of their own, they were really turning the screw on the remainder. Towards the fourth last and Our Duke was finally pulled up, only Djakadam, Road to Respect and Anibale Fly looked like they could get anywhere near the front two as they kept pouring it on. After the third last where Native River and Might Bite jumped it together, everyone else was now in trouble and it was a two horse race. Into the home turn and Johnson began to stoke up his willing partner, Might Bite Looming up on his outside on the bridle. You might think Might bite now but Native River loves it when you come to challenge him, what a finish it was going to be. Second last jumped well, both still locked together as they landed, Johnson now working, pushing and shoving. Nico Starting to shake the reigns approaching the last. Native River seems to be responding as he jumps the last still slightly in front. He lands and has half a length, Might Bite is getting the sink thrown at him by Nico de Boinville. Native River goes into overdrive, his stamina on soft ground coming to the fore as Might Bite doesn't have the legs on this ground to go on, he bravely tries his heart out but wont bridge the gap as Native River crosses the line and the winning distance is four and a half lengths. Anibale Fly ran a mighty race in third staying on well after never being able to go with the front two. Road To Respect looks an improver to keep onside as the seven year old finished in fourth. What a race from the first two, they really served it up to everyone else and they were all found wanting. Might Bite would definitely be more of a danger had it been better ground. Colin Tizzard got the plan spot on for Native River this year, a much lighter campaign partly enforced. When he did return he looked a better horse this year, he jumps, travels at pace and stays. What more could you want and a deserved Gold Cup winner. Might Bite a gallant second on ground he wouldn't prefer. Two true superstars.

After that superb performance from the front two it was on to the Foxhunters' Chase. the Gold Cup for amateur riders over the same course and distance. It was a repeat victory for last years hero Pacha Du Polder, who again was not friendly in the betting going off a bigger price than last year at 25/1. The eleven year old made smooth progress to two out and led on the run in to win cosily by a neck from Top Wood. The victory even more impressive when after we found out jockey Harriet Tucker had dislocated her shoulder and popped it back in while riding. It was a welcome victory for Paul Nicholls who had drawn a blank up to that point. Like London busses Nicholls didn't have to wait long for the next victory in the finale that is the Grand Annual. Le Prezien finally putting it all together and looking good in winning going away by four lengths. He has been called a few things this year but it was a pleasing performance to deliver on the big day. Gino trail ran a big race from the front and stayed on to beat everyone but the winner. Top Gamble another solid race in third without looking likely to win.

Three standouts from the day. Obviously Native River and I'd put Might bite in there with him. Pacha Du Polder winning the same race again as and eleven year old. Richard Johnson for the brilliant ride from the front and perfect tactics to see off all competition bar one a long way out.

So that was this years festival done and dusted. Such a shame we have to wait a year to do it all again. If this year is anything to go by, we already have lots to look forward to.