What a ride

Having successfully managed to avoid hearing who'd won all day as I'd taped it... well, I've just watched it and I'm blown away, what a fabulous race.

Amazing to see Long Run and Sam WC triumph - the first amateur jockey in over 30 years I think???? And a big bleurrggh to the doubting thomases who were calling for Nicky Henderson to stick a professional up - I think he's managed to silence them conclusively now!

BUT, I'm a Denman girl at heart - for a moment I thought he might do it but I think the ground and younger legs just got him on the day. What a record though, not many can claim a win in the RSA (I think it was the RSA), a win and 3 seconds in the Gold Cup, that's some sort of record.

My only sadness was that Neptune Collonges dropped right out the back though finished- another fave, it would have been great if he'd been closer but hey ho, he never really looked like he was travelling today.

Be interesting to see if Kauto Star (who's also fab, great to see the old boys give the younger ones a run for their money) and Denman stay in training next year...?
 
I honestly thought Kauto was going to get it,he travelled and jumped like the champ he is,my heart was giving it huge thuds,little boy thought I had gone mad shouting him on,lol :) Long Run may have won the race,but it is the 2 old boys,especially Kauto that Made the race for me :) x
 
Really was a great race in so many ways. I have become a Denman fan now though. What a great working hunter he would make once he retires. If Long Run hadn't be there we'd be heralding him as the true champion (he is anyway). I was impressed with Long Run's jumping in the schooling session they showed. Kauto Star was game too but I think he hasn't aged as well as Denman - don't French horses do more as youngsters? Oh, but I wish I could have Denman as a working hunter!
 
Today quite simply reinforced my love of jump racing.

Cheltenham is Mecca. The best of the best. Long Run? Well occasionally callous youth has the legs, and victory was assured. One of the best races which I've ever viewed.

Alec.
 
Amazing race! I am just so glad Kauto came back in one piece, I was terrified there would be a replay of last year with a worse ending but he made a real race of it. I just hope they retire him now, he has achieved so much, why risk more at this stage??? Surely he has won enough....
 
Absolutely brilliant race!! In fact, it's been an absolutely brilliant Festival.

I gather from PN's website they are parading Kauto, Denman, Big Buck's, Al Ferof (sp?) and Zarkandar tomorrow at Ditcheat at 12.30.

An event not to be missed.
 
Taffyhorse said:
Amazing to see Long Run and Sam WC triumph - the first amateur jockey in over 30 years I think???? And a big bleurrggh to the doubting thomases who were calling for Nicky Henderson to stick a professional up - I think he's managed to silence them conclusively now!
Click to expand...

Not up to the trainer in this case. Sam's father Robert owns the horse, they picked him out together and as long as Robert thought Sam could do the horse justice, there wouldn't have been ANY question of putting a professional up! That was one of the nicest things about the win - it WAS a family affair! And Sam worked his wotsits off to ensure he WAS ready for the big race - he's not a spoilt rich kid! (Rich, yes, spoilt, no!)
 
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