I STILL get a proper buzz jumping in the car and heading to Cheltenham.
Don’t get me wrong, weekends like this are full on from the word go.
We have owners in from first lot to mid-morning, then I have to look at the horses before the sales and then, of course, the racing itself before I’m sure there will be some sort of socialising tonight!
Hopefully after a couple of winners. But I’m not complaining — I love it. It’s what we do the job for. And it’s definitely better to be busy than not!
I remember going to this meeting with my mates growing up. We had the 16-24 membership and would turn up year after year, drinking plenty but enjoying the racing too.
I remember horses like Senor El Bruttiti winning the Mackeson — as it was known for 35 years before eventually morphing into the Paddy Power Gold Cup — and getting roared back in as a local winner.
I had a soft spot for old favourite Fondmort (below), too, who won it back in 2003.
We’re a few shorter at this meeting than I would have liked but everyone will say the same thing, it’s just because of the ground.
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I don’t think any of them are certainties but I genuinely think they should all run big races and get amongst it. The team are in great nick, we’ve had four winners this week already.
The horses running now with an outing under their belt will be ready to rock and roll — and even those making their first starts have now done plenty of work.
I’m expecting a big run from CHAMPAGNE TWIST (3.30). I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t go very close. We’ve done plenty of work with him and I would hope there’s more to come from him this season over hurdles.
After he won the EBF Final at Sandown he didn’t run his race when we fancied him again at Aintree but I think the break has done him the world of good. He’s one of our leading lights this weekend.
HARDY BOY (2.55) has been busy but we might as well keep going with him with the ground. He has the fitness edge on a few and will like the ground more than a few, too. It’s a tough ask to win but if he runs like he did at the October fixture there’s no reason he couldn’t nick some prize money.
I’m desperate to run LEADER IN THE PARK (1.45, Sunday). He’s been on the boil a while but we haven’t been able to run him because of the ground. I’m sure he will make up into a lovely chaser.
Lucinda likes Primoz and I know Nicky fancies Peaky Boy but we don’t run away and place our horses where we think is best. If it rains he has a right chance.
FIERCELY PROUD (3.30, Sunday) goes for the Greatwood. I won’t lie he has had about as poor a preparation for this as you could dream of given he got loose in October and then fell when too keen at Ascot.
But we think a lot of him and this has been the plan a way out.
I’ll tell Ben Jones to drop him out and if he settles I think he will run a mighty race. He might be going under the radar.
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