
Share
12th March 2018
03:00pm GMT

What strikes you about the place is the sheer scale and size of everything: the massive Club stand, the colosseum-like parade ring, the pre-race buzz in the Guinness village, all set in the idyllic and picturesque shadow of Cleeve Hill. The recent redevelopments of Prestbury Park have only added to the prestige and sense of occasion that is, the Cheltenham Festival.
Part of Cheltenham's magic lies in its examination of the thoroughbred racehorse. It is a true test of an equine steeplechaser. The rise and fall of the terrain, the hidden undulations of the track, the descent down the hill two out, with the infamous Cheltenham hill that leads up to the winning post. Nowhere else does a race course ask questions of a national hunt horse like Cheltenham.
Speaking of equine heroes, Arkle was the horse who started our love affair with the Cheltenham festival. The Anglo-Irish battles between 'Himself' and the English trained Millhouse were the stuff of legend. Arkle came out on top, instantly becoming a national treasure after winning 3 Gold Cups in 1966.
The slogan 'Arkle for President' once scribbled on a wall in Dublin, and items of fan mail simply addressed to 'Himself, Ireland.' He became a household name and to this day is still the highest rated steeplechaser in National Hunt racing with a rating of 212.
“It was an unbelievable feeling to breed the Grand National winner Many Clouds, who won twice around Cheltenham beating Thistlecrack in what would sadly be, his final race. He was a warrior, who always gave his all every day of his life. Not all your horses will win in Cheltenham. It would be great if they all did, especially for the business I’m in. I'm hoping Monalee will be a lively contender in this year's Ryanair.”[caption id="attachment_152803" align="aligncenter" width="627"]
Aidan giving Monalee a well-earned drink after his win at Leopardstown[/caption]
A win at the Cheltenham festival makes all the early mornings and late nights worthwhile for any trainer and their connections. Pat Kelly is a great recent example of this having trained Mall Dini and Presenting Percy to three festival wins in the last three years. A small trainer from Galway with a stable of no more than 15 horses, Kelly is bidding for a third win in a row with Presenting Percy favourite for The Gold Cup after his win the in the Pertemps and RSA last year.
Cheltenham, as Alistair eloquently puts it, is like an old friend. You start the week as best friends full of hope and anticipation before the Supreme Novice Hurdles kicks off proceedings. Day two starts with arguments over which horse will win the next race, as you scan through your race card. By day three you start to feel the tension after another loser. Day four is Gold Cup day, as the week catches up with you and the bank balance has taken a significant hit. You power on in search a final winner in the last race, The Grand Annual, again, no luck. But in the end, whether you leave the track with a full wallet or empty pockets, you remember why you became friends with The Festival in the first place, its water under the bridge. You patch things up thinking ahead to next year, where you will renew rivalries.
I can't sign off without giving a few tips for this year's festival before I take the pilgrimage over. No short priced tipped favourites here. Yes, Sir Erec, Altior, Tiger Roll and Benie Des Dieux will all probably win. These four horses will give you a run for your each-way money. Battleoverdoyen in the Ballymore, Ask For Glory in the Champion Bumper, Dallas Des Pictons in the Martin Pipe, and Derinross in the Albert Bartlett. Do the four horses in a €1 yankee bet. You can thank me later when the bet comes in. Who said beginners luck was dead?Explore more on these topics: