This has been one of the most eventful Cheltenhams so far – with hot favourites (Marjborogh, Constitution Hill, Jonbon etc) failing and romantic stories abounding. My betting returns have been solid but unspectacular – two winners and lots of places. Prior to the Festival, I had been going through a prolonged period of seconditis (almost getting it right) – so much so that I began to halve my win bets and back everything each way. This seems to have worked well the first two days. The opening day is my favourite, and the opening race, the Supreme Novices Hurdle, my favourite race. Sure enough the very hot Mullins favourite won, but I had the second, William Munny, at 8-1. He was also in my each way Yankee. I just watched the next two races which were chases, I mostly focus on the hurdle races. In the Mares Hurdle I had another second – Jade De Grugy at 5-1. The next race was the Champion Hurdle and I had a very strong fancy for State Man (owned by my old classmate Joe Donnelly) – especially at the generous 10-1. He won it last year and there was widespread uncertainty about the short-priced favourite Constitution Hill. I had a decent single bet as well as having included it in my burgeoning Yankee. When Constitution Hill fell my bet suddenly became more promising and with the second favourite Brighterdayahead weakening from two out I was already calculating my winnings, and feeling that warm glow about being correct in my judgement. He was well clear at the last hurdle, but instead of just popping it, Townend inexplicably went for a long jump, clipped the top and went arse over tip. From woe to weal and after out of joy eh. Just to add salt and vinegar to the wound, the fourth horse in my Yankee, Haiti Coleurs, trained by the fragrant Rebecca Curtis, won the last race at 7-2. So while I didn’t lose on the day, I didn’t win as substantially as I coulda, shoulda.
But you wipe the slate and get down to studying day 2. I did the usual Yankee and my anchor bet was Impose Toi at 13-2 in the Coral Cup – on whom I had a hefty each way bet. Jumping the last he looked the winner, but was caught on the run-in by a Mullins dark horse. Second again but quids in and Yankee intact. I know I shouldn’t bet in the Cross-Country but, as am I sentimentally attached to Henderson’s Mister Coffey, I had included him in my each way Yankee. He gave me a good run for my money and plodded home in 5th - which kept my Yankee intact as Paddy Power paid for 5 places. Next came the Two Mile Champion Chase and I had a decent bet on Marine Nationale – considering him a certainty to be at least placed. The hot favourite Jonbon jumped poorly after a slow start and my choice ran sweetly from start to finish and provided a poignant reminder of what might have been. His erstwhile jockey was Michael O’Sullivan, tragically killed a few weeks earlier. Quids in and each way Yankee intact. The fourth and last leg of my Yankee was the most problematical – Jason Des Dames at 22-1. He is trained by Henry De Bromhead who has not been going well so far. However he has a tiny weight and surely Henry’s luck must change on a course where he has been so successful. He jumped well all the way around but when the going got tough between the last two fences he began to fade. However, there was a lot of fading going on and he managed to drag his weary arse into 5th place – just making the each way mark. Suddenly my each way Yankee made for a very decent day.
