Cheltenham 2025

[Snowfilly]

Bloody power cut as they went to post, came back on just to see them land over the last!

 

[Maddie Moo]

Race 5 - 4:00pm
THE BETMGM QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) (GBB RACE)

Following the race, the representative of Willie Mullins reported that ENERGUMENE (FR), which was pulled up, lost its action coming down the hill.

 

[blodwyn1]

I really think Mat Chapman will be lucky to escape without a punch from Nico by the end of this week!

 

[Kadastorm]

I hope Energumene is ok and can recover from his injury.
Jonbon did brilliantly to get back up to claim second.
But what a story for Marine Nationale!

 

[Smitty]

I really think Mat Chapman will be lucky to escape without a punch from Nico by the end of this week!

Yes honestly, he could not take the hint!

 

[Smitty]

I’m hoping for Jonbon but I wouldn’t mind if Marine Nationale won the QM either.

I’d love a spin around the cross-country, although I’d need someone shouting directions

Clairvoyant: 1st and 2nd

 

[marmalade76]

I really think Mat Chapman will be lucky to escape without a punch from Nico by the end of this week!

He was in a right sulk!

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

They definitely need to do something about these starts it's getting a bit embarrassing

Surely they now end in a more unfavourable starting position?

 

[photo_jo]

And Michael's other winner won too!

 

[Clodagh]

Great he won for the horse but at the end of it Barry Connell fired Michael off the horse in November

Nothing like the narrative being adjusted to suit the circumstances!

 

[Clodagh]

They did just mention the jocking off.
I hope all jockeys who cantered in (to the start) get fined in every race.

 

[photo_jo]

Nothing like the narrative being adjusted to suit the circumstances!

Indeed

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I know it's all very sad but does any one feel they went on about it a little bit TOO much in relation to them being horses he used to have an association with

Ducking for cover with tin hat now!!!

 

[Clodagh]

I know it's all very sad but does any one feel they went on about it a little bit TOO much in relation to them being horses he used to have an association with

Ducking for cover with tin hat now!!!

I was actually going to start a thread saying that, but thought I’d wait until post festival.

So yes I agree.

 

[Skib]

I know it's all very sad but does any one feel they went on about it a little bit TOO much in relation to them being horses he used to have an association with

Yes. Lots of people who dont normally watch horse racing will watch the Gold Cup, The Grand National and the Derby. I grew up near Epsom and the Derby was the only flat race I knew.
I vaguely knew that a jockey had been killed but I didnt know how or why. ROSPA seems to say that after Rugby football, riding is second most dangerous sport, and riding in a jump race just seems frightening to me. I watched but couldnt look when the horses fell.
They never tell you for sure that the loose or fallen horses are OKay.
Today for the first time I wondered whether it was right to race horses at all? And googled. No horse is listed as having died this year.

 

[Clodagh]

Yes. Lots of people who dont normally watch horse racing will watch the Gold Cup, The Grand National and the Derby. I grew up near Epsom and the Derby was the only flat race I knew.
I vaguely knew that a jockey had been killed but I didnt know how or why. ROSPA seems to say that after Rugby football, riding is second most dangerous sport, and riding in a jump race just seems frightening to me. I watched but couldnt look when the horses fell.
They never tell you for sure that the loose or fallen horses are OKay.
Today for the first time I wondered whether it was right to race horses at all? And googled. No horse is listed as having died this year.

They do tell you how fallers or pulled up horses are doing. IMO it’s as sad when a horse dies, as they (while loving it) are not actually consenting to the risk.

 

[Clodagh]

I see there have been no action taken against any jockeys for all those farcical false starts.
Do they actually want to alienate new viewers?
It’s like collapsing scrums in the rugby (better dealt with now), very boring and not a positive of the sport.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I was actually going to start a thread saying that, but thought I’d wait until post festival.

So yes I agree.

Glad it's not just me being a grump!! Fair enough mention the link, and how his family were there etc, and maybe a memorial piece for him, but it's getting too much given its repeatedly being mentioned

Trying to remember when there was a death in f2 the weekend of the f1 and subsequent races i know the driver killed was obviously mentioned and respected but certainly not to this extent

Hope his family are OK with it

 

[Maddie Moo]

Who are we all going for today?

I quite like Aurora Vega in the Mares and also Maughreen, although this is a much bigger field (24 horses) than what she has experienced in her two races before and that might count against her.

In the Ryanair, I’m hoping Djelo is going to place, he’s been consistently all season so hoping he will carry that on today!

I quite like Home By The Lee in the Stayers, he was third last year so hoping he can improve on that!

 

[humblepie]

Positive news on Galvin, that he has been able to travel home and is okay.

Don't have any jumping out at me today. Like the name of Air of Entitlement in the first. Think Jonjo O'Neil may have a winner. Would like Djelo to do well too, but think Fact to File is gorgeous. In the Sayers, think Nemean Lion may get a place.

 

[Chiffy]

I read that there were 7 suspensions for the false starts yesterday Clodagh.
Did you hear the commentator for the XC race? They are going three and a half miles, but he is calling them back?

 

[Spotherisk]

I have a busy day and won’t see any racing but picked my lot last night, then listened to Pipe’s picks this morning and put 25p ew on most of them too!

I screen shot my Bet 365 account after I’ve placed bets then will compare this evening to see if the balance goes up or down - it’s currently £2.14!

 

[Spotherisk]

I read that there were 7 suspensions for the false starts yesterday Clodagh.
Did you hear the commentator for the XC race? They are going three and a half miles, but he is calling them back?

Yeah that commentator was making a strong point, there was no benefit to calling them back.

 

[photo_jo]

I'm gunning for Jungle Boogie - he's a gorgeous big horse (@Gamebird won't be surprised!)

 

[Clodagh]

I read that there were 7 suspensions for the false starts yesterday Clodagh.
Did you hear the commentator for the XC race? They are going three and a half miles, but he is calling them back?

Oh that’s good, the ones I read the reports for were no further action.

 

[photo_jo]

Ruby talking about that just now - partnership between the jockeys and the starter - both to blame

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

The starts have generally been embarrassing for a while now, when I watch on Saturdays there's at least one false start

Maybe like football with accumulating yellow cards anyone who causes a charge to the tape gets a fine/yellow card then after a certain amount of repeat offences, they get a ban?

A couple of the false starts look like they could have started, while others you could just tell were going to be a mess

 

[Spotherisk]

I love Brough Scott, he seems to have been a constant in my life

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Ooh I have Galopin in the gold cup sweepstake itv are doing usually i get a no hoper

 

[Maddie Moo]

Ooh I have Galopin in the gold cup sweepstake itv are doing usually i get a no hoper

I’ve got Monty’s Star