Vintage Cheltenham

[minesadouble]

A bit late in the day but I have to say what a fabulous festival it has been this year. A tremendous Gold Cup and so moving the way the gallant runners up Denman and Kauto Star were cheered upon their return.

My heart just broke for poor 16 year old Willie Twiston Davis in the Foxhunters, when he was unseated from Baby Run after a bit of a disagreement about where to take off. I do hope he's not too hard on himself and that he can come back next year and win it!

And as far as I'm aware only one horse lost, one too many of course, RIP Lush Life, but a lot better than some previous Festivals.

Lovely weather, perfect going and fabulous fabulous horses, can't believe it's over so soon, roll on next March

 

[millhouse]

Rest in peace Lush Life.

 

[Dobiegirl]

This was truly a memorable festival and so exciting the Gold Cup was the best ever I was cheering Kauto then Denman then Long Run wonderful.

I cant believe we have to wait another year but then we do have Aintree to look forward to and then dare I say it the boring flat.

 

[MICHAELA8228]

A bit late in the day but I have to say what a fabulous festival it has been this year. A tremendous Gold Cup and so moving the way the gallant runners up Denman and Kauto Star were cheered upon their return.

My heart just broke for poor 16 year old Willie Twiston Davis in the Foxhunters, when he was unseated from Baby Run after a bit of a disagreement about where to take off. I do hope he's not too hard on himself and that he can come back next year and win it!

And as far as I'm aware only one horse lost, one too many of course, RIP Lush Life, but a lot better than some previous Festivals.

Lovely weather, perfect going and fabulous fabulous horses, can't believe it's over so soon, roll on next March

Totally agree - roll on next year......

 

[JCWHITE]

Agreed esp with Dobiegirl.
I sent a message to the Channel 4 team, even after the second days coverage I was buzzing, let alone after the 4th day.
I thought the lady presenters looked splendid, esp Lesley in the tweed coat with the purple trim, Alice for raising so much money, and Tanya for putting up with her sidekick!!
Fantastic, Channel Four is a life line for me as I am abroad, and cant get over.
A real vintage Cheltenham in my opinion,as befits the 100 Years.
JC

 

[Daffodil]

Agree with everything said above. Brilliant Festival and some really vintage performances.

Also echo the thoughts about Lush Life. Very sad and my condolences to Mr Buckley and the Seven Barrows team.

Does anyone know where, if possible, I can view the Channel 4 broadcast.
As a complete numpty about our video recorder, I have to get the OH to set it, and I couldn't believe that the tape ran out just as the Gold Cup finished.
He'd only put a 3 hour tape in instead of a 4 hour. I watched the race on Racing UK on the computer and was so looking forward to seeing the tumultuous welcome they all got in the paddock.... but it never got recorded.

Any suggestions? It's not on the Channel 4 iPlayer-thing

 

[Orangehorse]

I only watched the two last days on TV, but I agree with all the above. The going must have been perfect, as the jumping I saw was amazing. Even in the hurdle races most of the horses were jumping wonderfully, and one winner met every hurdle spot on the whole of the way round and jumped them cleanly.

The re-siting of the second last fence seems to have been a success because in the past that led to several falls, which didn't happen this year.

It all seemed great. And even Denman and Kauto Star only had one horse in front of them, so they are still great racehorses, in what was a course record. It was the best of NH racing.

 

[The Virgin Dubble]

Performances of the festival, imho, have to go to PN's horses; Denman, Kauto, and of course the magnificent Big Bucks.

But the star of the show (begrudgingly) was Long Run.
A six year old, with an amateur jockey, breaking the course record in the Gold Cup.
It really doesn't get more fairytale ending than that.