If the Irish were a nation of gentleman it might have a called a declaration mid-way through the Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival in order not to embarrass their host. But no, the Irish carried on, inflicting such a humiliating defeat on the British that the casual observer might have gained the impression that the victory after victory was revenge for the potato famine or the Battle of the Boyne.
And we, as a racing and sporting nation, are humiliated. You only have to read the scandalously priced Racing Post since stumps on Gold Cup day to understand how we Brits pine for a return to the 1980’s when we won everything and Ireland took it on the chin with the dignity of true sportsman. They knew the world spun on its axis, that all facets of life tend to be cyclical and that in time the wheel would turn in their favour. Revenge is a dish best served cold, as it is said. Aintree will be interesting this year. Imagine the united angst if the Irish snaffle-up all the trophies in two-weeks-time, especially if the Grand National is won by an Irish-trained horse? Even without Tiger Roll they have a strong hand, though with Cloth Cap and Secret Reprieve, if the latter actually gets into the race, as two of the favourites the odds might just be in our favour. Come on Nicholls and Henderson, pull a few rabbits out of the bag. Personally, the lack of British success at the Festival didn’t grate too much on me, at least not over the first two-days. It got a bit monotonous on days 3 and 4, I admit. My highlight was Tiger Roll sticking two-fingers up at his detractors in the Cross Country and the barely contained enthusiasm of Keith Donoghue from the last obstacle to the winning line. His joy was obviously not for himself but that the Tiger had roared once more. I would not be surprised if the O’Leary brothers texted each other with ‘Oh F…, we’ve cocked this up, haven’t we?’ Though their delight at seeing their superstar horse reignite the flame was there for all to see. Now, would they prefer Tiger Roll to beat A Plus Tard at Aintree or get well-stuffed? The former will ensure he’ll always be top-weight in future Grand Nationals and defeat will hopefully get him dropped a few pounds. Personally, I would run him in the Irish National as he could conceivably win the race and you never know what is waiting for any of us down the line. It is interesting that there will be discussion between owner, trainer and racing manager as to what to do next with Honeysuckle (or Honey as her trainer refers to her) as it is up for debate whether she goes chasing next season. That idea might have been touted before she won the Champion Hurdle, of course, and as she is now a very valuable mare, with the owner in the process of setting up a stud, it would be more likely she will stay hurdling. Anyway, Henry de Bromhead has so many Gold Cup candidates already does he really need another? The Gold Cup shocked me a wee bit. Remember how Minella Indo walked up the hill at the end of the R.S.A. last season? He looked all over, to me anyway, what could be described as a short runner. I didn’t think A Plus Tard would get up the hill either. What a twonk I proved myself to be. My only saving grace in my analysis of the race was my prediction that Frodon would beat again those he beat at Kempton. He again proved he is the best jumper of a steeplechase fence (ever?), though apart from the King George where does he go from here? The trip did not beat him in the Gold Cup, 3 superior horses beat him. I know Native River finished in front of him in the end but Bryony had taken her poison by then and was saving Frodon for whatever else Paul Nicholls has in store him for during the rest of the season. Punchestown, perhaps. I e-mailed Paul Nicholls – never contacted a trainer like this before. No reply, obviously, though I did also upbraid him for the undignified way Harry Cobden was allowed to take the silks from Bryony’s back when Politologue had to be withdrawn – and suggested what did they have to lose by trying to hold-up Frodon in his final race of the season. After Kempton next season there really isn’t a race for him now handicaps are out-of-the-question and if he would plod around off the pace, he would more likely save enough energy to get up the Cheltenham hill. Personally, and I know this sounds mad, I would run him in the Celebration Chase at Sandown at the end of the season. They would go fast enough for Bryony to drop in and his jumping would eventually get him into the race. Allaho was thought to be a 3-miler and now he is considered a 2-mile Champion Chase contender. A bit of lateral thinking now and again doesn’t harm the reputation of the master of Closutton and neither should it the master of Ditcheat. Finally, still mad as hell about the increase in price of the Racing Post and as my riposte I have reported them to the Competition Commission. It’s long odds them taking my complaint seriously, even if there is any way they can intervene but I have given it a go. Very soon the paper will be a fiver a copy and only the super-rich will be able to afford it. Something has to be done.
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