Cheltenham 2008 Review
The Cheltenham Festival 2008 must have been the most eagerly anticipated Festival for over 40 years.
It will also be the most remembered Festival for over 40 years although, in all probability, not for the reasons anticipated beforehand.
The facet that made the greatest headlines at the time was the abandonment of the second day, due to high winds.
As a result of the Herculean efforts of all involved, all the races were rescheduled over the following two days.
I am minded to think had the same happened ten years earlier most, if not all the, races would have been lost.
Too little praise has been given to Cheltenham, the HRA and all the other areas involved in restaging the Cancelled races.
What occurred last week is a marvellous example of the, dare I say long overdue, new spirit of pragmatism that is now evident in racings ruling bodies. Well done to all concerned.
On the track, the first days racing surprised many with the first shock coming in the Arkle Chase where Noland, many punters idea of a festival banker, could only manage a very disappointing third to a demolish run from Tidal Bay under a powerful Denis O’Regan run.
There was also a shock in the Champion Hurdle when Katchit became the first five-year-old to take the crown since See You Then in 1985. In a battling run to the line Alan King’s charge held off a resurgent challenge from the long time leader Osana.
The disappointment of the race was the favourite Sizing Europe who looked to be the winner two up before stopping dramatically and virtually being pulled up, clearly something amiss.
Of course the sudden demise of Sizing Europe will lead to the “what if” questions, however take nothing away from the winner it was a sensational training performance from King and there is no reason why, in time, Katchit should not become one of the Festivals three time winners, or even better.
If Katchit was the new star emerging from day one of the festival, there is absolutely no doubt as to who the emerging star of day two was.
Master Minded’s utter demolition of a good class Queen Mother Champion Chase field took the breath away. It genuinely was one of those “I was there moments.”
Even hardened punters who had backed other horses in the race, myself included, were in awe of the sensational run from the Nicholls / Walsh combination.
Another five year old this horse looks to have a great future and if he stays fit I would wager he could become the Festivals first four time winner.
In complete contrast, just over an hour later, another equine hero emerged as Inglis Drever became the first horse to take the World Hurdle for the third time.
Unlike Katchit or Master Minded, Inglis Drever is not a flash runner, he is one of those horses that barely does enough and it most likely to down tools if bought to the front too soon.
I’m sure connections will not be too upset if I said he isn’t the most beautiful racehorse around and it unlikely to win any equine beauty contests. Does that matter though, it may be a cliché, he has the heart of a lion and is a dour battler.
It was also a great victory for the Howard Johnson yard, which has been under a cloud in the weeks leading up to Cheltenham epitomised by many worse than expected runs from the stables inmates.
Thursday was a long day with ten races, especially for those having to report on proceedings.
Friday, the final day, was a nine race card, although all eyes were really on the 3:30 – the Gold Cup.
The “under card” should not be ignored though, with the first three races all keeping the judges busy and bringing some very exciting finishes.
The Triumph Hurdle saw the beating of another “banker” when the even money Franchoek was narrowly beaten by the Paul Nicholls trained Celestial Halo, whose victory gave a long awaited first Festival win for owner Andy Stewart, one of jump racings stalwarts.
Come the big race most expected Denman and Kauto Star to fill the places, although the finishing order was a matter of debate. Most were expecting the two stable mates to be running up the run-in side by side with the result being a bob of he head.
Very few expected, except perhaps owner Harry Findlay and the horses greatest fans, Denman to win so easily – by seven lengths.
Since the race the racing forums, or should that be fora, have been full of posters saying Denman would not have won if Kauto Star had been fit, their argument being that because Kauto Star finished so close to Neptunes Collonges he did not run to his best.
So what – the horses lined up on the day, all faced the same conditions, all ran off the same weight and Denman won fair and square. That is racing.
OK on another day the result may have been different, we will never know. Anyway it is irrelevant, it is what happened at 3:30 on Friday 14th March that counts and we have another new star to laud.
So what will Cheltenham 2008 be remembered for?
The loss of a days racing and its subsequent rescheduling?
Katchit’s Champion Hurdle win?
Master Minded’s demolition job?
Inglis Drevers brave third World Hurdle win?
Or Denman’s emphatic Gold Cup victory?
Personally I thing it is invidious to pick out just one aspect. The entire Festival was memorable, indeed it was, overall, the most memorable Festival I can recall.
As I write this review it is only 358 days until the next Festival and I cannot wait.