Cheltenham is upon us!

[Elf On A Shelf]

The Festival starts on Tuesday and whilst most people see it as the be all and end all of jumps racing I am not to fussed by it. I will watch the big races and the ones we have horses in obviously but for the most part the multiple handicaps hold no interest to me.

Should they make it a 5 day Festival? The plan if they do is to cut a race from each day and add 2 in so you get 6 races a day for 5 days rather than 7 races a day for 4 days. To me that just smacks of greed. Same as everything. You get for a bigger price tag.

I would love to Honeysuckle win again bit she might have a fight on her hands if Appreciate It is on song from a year off! Though that is a bug ask in itself.

 

[Fraggle bells rock]

Good to see you back Elf, have missed your day in the life posts. X

 

[AdorableAlice]

It is going to be an Irish white wash, I read Mr Elliott has circa 50 plus horses coming over.

I really love seeing the tiny yards do well on any of the premier tracks but taking the Irish on next week will be a big task. I also hope Cheltenham sees more rain to slow the going and prevent horror falls or injury.

 

[Spotherisk]

Great to,see,you back here elf.

I’m going to Cheltenham! First time for me, hoping for a fun day with Mr StR and a group of friends.

 

[nagblagger]

Is your grey going to be racing....?

 

[McGrools]

I’m feeling a bit meh about it this year if its going to be the big irish yards taking all the prizes. Got club tickets for thursday but i’m not sure i can be bothered going. It will be too long a day away from my animals.
it will be a darn sight cheaper to watch on tv! I do hope some of the smaller yards cause some upsets!

 

[Clodagh]

I own a square cm of Stage Star so ??? he goes in the Ballymore.
I don’t care who wins (apart from that race!) as long as they aren’t trained by Elliot. The other Irish are ok.
My favourite days racing of the year is actually the Thursday at Aintree.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I’m feeling a bit meh about it this year if its going to be the big irish yards taking all the prizes. Got club tickets for thursday but i’m not sure i can be bothered going. It will be too long a day away from my animals.
it will be a darn sight cheaper to watch on tv! I do hope some of the smaller yards cause some upsets!

I wouldn't write off our 2. Both are very nice horses if the Irish don't get in the way. I know everyone is talking about Bravemansgame in the Brown Advisories but I don't think it will get up the hill again. He is a flat track horse and it's his jumping that keeps him there or thereabouts. If our lad jumps properly he should beat him hands down.

 

[McGrools]

I wouldn't write off our 2. Both are very nice horses if the Irish don't get in the way. I know everyone is talking about Bravemansgame in the Brown Advisories but I don't think it will get up the hill again. He is a flat track horse and it's his jumping that keeps him there or thereabouts. If our lad jumps properly he should beat him hands down.

Fingers crossed for your yard Elf.??.
i’m hoping the festival will be wide open and the red hot faves come up against some proper competition.
a win at the festival is what dreams are made of, so its a shame when the big money men take all the prizes, they expect the wins whereas to some smaller players it is a lifetime ambition.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I like the people who train Tommy's Oscar so would like to see him win

I can't stand Gordon Elliott...

Really hope the cross country isn't a race too far for Tiger Roll I have a nasty feeling about it... I don't see them retiring him after it if he manages to get home safe...

Typically it was this week covid hit and I've been off work, shame it can't have waited a week and I could have watched Cheltenham while staying in bed

I'll do the ITV 7, I don't tend to do very well though once won the first 4 races before it all fell apart

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Hi Elf…missed you and your news..have a fab festival x

 

[humblepie]

GE's travelling head girl Camilla Sharples put a short video on Twitter of their lorry with tack etc in it - the number of bridles alone. More or less a mobile tack shop.

 

[Quigleyandme]

Hello Elf. Also glad to hear from you again.

 

[Velcrobum]

Great to see you back here again Elf. Have missed you and your insights!!

 

[Merry neddy man]

Another welcome back, please stay and keep us updated next week and beyond.

 

[The Irish Draft 2022]

It the most Irish horses I seen going in years. Ges has over 50 horse going and that’s only one Irish yard .

 

[stangs]

Surely there should be a limit on how many horses one trainer can race?

 

[McGrools]

Surely there should be a limit on how many horses one trainer can race?

Agree.
Have you seen how many the main irish yards have in the gold cup? Brits are very poorly represented in that race.