Round three of the cheltenham festival.

​Many, I dare say, will think me a right lamebrain, goofus for any Americans reading this, or galoot for those of the vintage to still use the term, in not nominating Envoi Allen as the star of day two. He is undoubtedly an impressive horse with unlimited potential but I thought the Ballymore rather fell apart in the final two furlongs which presented him with a victory he did not have to strive too hard to achieve. Easywork ran free and deserves a mention in despatches for winning the battle with The Big Getaway, only to be overhauled by the winner in the final 100-yards. The third is a big lump of a horse and looks all over a staying chaser and should not be lightly dismissed. With the O’Leary brothers stepping away from ownership over the coming years it is a major boost for the sport to have Cheveley Park taking a keen and winning interest.
The star, at least in my eyes, from yesterday was Champ who came from the sky in the gamest manner possible to swoop with the gentle force of a bird of prey on Minella Indo and Allaho as if they were two mice out for a stroll. The former had the race won everywhere but the final ten yards, adding yet another second place for Rachael Blackmore. Whether Champ is a genuine top-class steeplechaser is hard to determine but one thing is certain is that he possesses the same will-to-win as the man he is named after which should hold him in good stead if he should line-up in the Gold Cup next season. With so many nice young horses in his portfolio I doubt if Barry Geraghty has too many thoughts on retirement.
Politilogue won the 2-mile Champion Chase unchallenged. Who would have predicted that outcome? A good solid horse deserving of his day in the sun. Brilliantly trained, of course, though it is concerning that it is now the fashion to not run horses, to keep them fresh, between Christmas and the Festival. I dare say more horses trained with one day in mind will get beaten this week than actually win but the vogue will be if a trainer can’t win a race at Cheltenham with a horse that hasn’t run for four months they will not be considered a ‘proper trainer’. I sort of think Phillip Kirby will be kicking himself for not going for the 2-mile Champion Chase with Lady Buttons, as will, if he doesn’t win the Ryanair, of course, the connections of A Plus Tard. As the race panned out it might easily have become a penalty kick for De Bromhead’s good young horse. Whatever, the joy and emotion on John Hale’s face will doubtless be the human moment of the week. A good man, I suspect, a man who always does right by his horses, retiring them too early rather than too late and caring for them long into their dotage.
Yesterday’s tips went thusly: The Big Getaway 3rd at 9/1. Copperhead fell when out of contention. Black Tears 2nd at 12/1. Dynamite Dollars 2nd at 7/1. Tiger Roll (didn’t factor in the ground) 2nd at 8/11. Zoffee pulled-up. It seems the Hobbs horses are out of sorts as neither Sporting John nor Defi Du Seuil ran up to scratch. Panic Attack not sighted.
Today I have a liking for Faugheen in a fascinating Golden Miller or the Marsh as it is more commonly referred to. I know he is 12 and attempting to rewrite the history books but at his best he is far superior to the opposition here, even if some of them are half his age. I like Relegate in the Pertemps, with a saver on Royal Thief. I would so love Frodon to win another Ryanair but though last year’s renewal was a solid enough race, this year A Plus Tard and Min are different gravy. My heart is with Bryony but my head insists that Min must surely win a big prize at the Festival at some time and today might be the day.
I keep trying to find one to oppose Paisley Park with and am defeated every time. Yet, I have an inkling, a nagging thought that refuses to go away, he will be dethroned and suggest the only horse with the form to do so is Apple’s Jade who seems a perfect fit for the type of ride she will get from Richard Johnson.
Clondaw Castle is my fancy for the absurdly titled Brown Advisory & Merribelle Stable Plate. Can you imagine a race at Royal Ascot with such a mouthful of a moniker? And for the Dawn Run for novice mares I have a big liking for Minella Melody to give wonder woman Blackmore yet another Cheltenham winner.