Sparkling Cheltenham Festival leaves host of unforgettable moments

Whether you managed to show a profit or not over the four days of the outstanding Cheltenham Festival that concluded recently, it’s hard not to have enjoyed the superb racing and series of utterly unforgettable moments that make the fixture unquestionably the premier jumps racing meeting in the world, writes Elliot Slater.

The biggest headline of the meeting was the utter dominance of champion Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins, who sent out a record eight winners, including four on the first day alone! Amongst those four was a superb effort from the hot favourite Faugheen (4/5) in the Stan James Champion Hurdle. The unbeaten gelding was facing by far his stiffest task to date - up against the defending champion Jezki, the dual former champion Hurricane Fly, and the leading British hope The New One - but his supporters had few anxious moments as he oozed.

Ruby Walsh’s mount simply oozed class throughout the premier two-mile hurdle and once asked for his effort showed a terrific change of gear to power away up the hill, chased home by his stable companions Arctic Fire and Hurricane Fly, giving Mullins an unprecedented 1-2-3 in the great race. Bookmakers have already made Faugheen a hotpot to repeat the dose in 12 months’ time and he is currently evens favourite with 32Red to lift the title once again next year.

Walsh totally dominated the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, also landing the Supreme Novices Hurdle with 2/1 f Douvan and the Racing Post Arkle Trophy with the brilliant prospect un De Sceaux (4/6f).  A truly dramatic success from 6/1 shot Glens Melody (who has subsequently been retired to stud) cane though at Walsh’s expense in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle. The winner looked booked for second place at best as they raced down to the final flight with her odds-on stable companion Annie Power, ridden by Walsh, drawing clear and looking certain to land a crushing four-timer of favourites for the Mullins team that many punters had combined in heavy bets on the market leaders.

Image source: Paolo Camera  Caption: Annie Power fell in the Mares' Hurdle

Inexplicably though, Annie Power took off too early and crashed to the ground having had the title at her mercy, stunning the massive crowd of favourite backers who had already been counting their winnings into near silence. Media reports suggested the fall of Annie Power had saved the betting industry many millions of pounds, but it still resulted in another Mullins success, courtesy of Glens Melody, who just edged out Polly Peachum in a driving finish.

Dodging Bullets (9/2), trained by Paul Nicholls, was the centerpiece of a treble for the champion British jumps trainer on the second day of the Festival. Most eyes were focused on the older champions Sprinter Sacre and Sire de Grugy in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, but the former failed to finish and is a shadow of his former self, while the latter was simply no match for the principals this time around. Dodging Bullets jumped and travelled beautifully before finding plenty of reserves to see off the admirable veteran Somersby (33/1) to land the two-mile chasing championship and could well prove hard to beat for the forseeable future.

There were a couple of surprises in store on day three. 16/1 shot Uxizandre (trained by Alan King) became Tony McCoy’s first and only winner of his final Cheltenham Festival when given a masterful ride by the all-time great jockey. He led all the way in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase to beat the gallant mare Ma Filleule, and came home powerfully to an unforgettable reception. Forty minutes later, similar tactics were employed by the talented Gavin Sheehan on Warren Greatrex’s Cole Harden (14/1), who showed he was back to his best after a minor breathing operation and found plenty in the closing stages to see off the Nicholls-trained pair of Saphir du Rheu and Zarkandar to win what had always looked a wide-open World Hurdle.

Image source: Paolo Camera  Caption: Tony McCoy waved farewell to the Cheltenham Festival

The final day of the meeting began with Nicky Henderson landing a 1-2 in the JCB Triumph Hurdle courtesy of Peace and Co (2/1f) and Top Notch (7/1), but the day was all about the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in which Paul Nicholls’ Silviniaco Conti was a solid 3/1 favourite, while there had been plenty of money for the younger pair Coneygree (7/1) and Djakadam (10/1).

Coneygree, trained by Mark Bradstock, had only had three previous outings over fences, (he won them all easily) and no novice chaser since the great Captain Christy way back in 1974 had won the Gold Cup. Despite having all the stats against him, Nico de Boniville rode his mount positively from the front and it was clear with three fences to jump that most of his rivals - including Silviniaco Conti and former champions Lord Windermere and Bobs Worth -, were struggling.

Going to the final fence the Irish pair of Djakadam and Road to Riches looked as though they may get the better of Coneygree, but he found extra in the last 100 yards and hung on for a truly sensational victory, rounding off an unforgettable week of truly breathtaking performances all round.

3:20 Cheltenham (10th March) STAN JAMES CHAMPION HURDLE CHALLENGE TROPHY GRADE 1 (CLASS 1) (4yo+)

The highlight on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival 2015. All eyes will be on this Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race over 2m 110y on good to soft ground. 

The inaugural winner came in 1927 with Blaris trained by Bill Payne, ridden by George Duller in the racing silks of owner Mrs H. Hollins. 

A number of horses have won this race three times including: Hatton's Grace, Sir Ken, Persian War, See You Then & Istabraq. 

The leading jockey with four wins (1951 - 1954) is Tim Molony. 

Leading trainers with five winner apiece are Peter Easterby & Nicky Henderson. 

The owner with most victories, and someone who could be a force this year, J P McManus has five successes with class horses Istabraq, Binocular, Jezki. 

This year's renewal sees eight class geldings including winners 2014 (Jezki), 2011 & 2013 (Hurricane Fly). 

If the market is anything to go by this looks a four-horse race: 

Faugheen is a bay gelding sired by Germany out of Miss Pickering, trained by Willie Mullins for owner Mrs S Ricci. This seven-year-old bay gelding has been a sensation, unbeaten in eight races, after winning a point-to-point over three miles in the hands of  R P Quinlan. He has been favourite for all victories, the majority of time ridden by Ruby Walsh. In the last four races his official rating has risen from 152 - 169. Priced at 11/10f, punters will be hoping this serial winner over course and distance can raise a cheer at this highest grade. 

Nigel Twiston-Davies' The New One may be seven-year-olds but this son of King's Theatre has raced fifteen times over hurdles with eleven victories and never out of the frame. He's been a consistent winner when racing off an official rating of 167. A regular racing at Cheltenham with eight starts with five successes. The New One is no stranger to this contest after finishing third last year behind Jezki with Hurricane Fly fourth. After being badly hampered early in the contest he ran on well in the closing stages. There's little doubt if not suffering that interference he would have gone very close. Priced 4/1 with leading bookmakers.

Another old adversary Hurricane Fly and twice-winner of this Grade 1 hurdle. He won in 2011 & 2013 respectively. This eleven-year-old Irish-bred gelding finished 4th behind Jezki last year which may indicate that age is catching up with this old warrior. Only two horses have won this race at his age of eleven: Hatton's Grace (1951), Sea Pigeon (1981). Willie Mullins' charge has been exceptional over hurdles with twenty-four victories from twenty-nine starts. Only once out of the first three, when fourth in last years contest. Twenty-one of his wins have come at Grade 1 class. From four starts in the Champion Hurdle this star has won twice, a third and fourth. With a highest official rating of 175 it would be fair to say he has never run a poor race. With Ruby Walsh taking the ride on stablemate Faugheen you have to consider connections feel the Hurricane may need to defy the stats, which only the greatest individuals have surpassed. At 10/1 he may sneak a place. 

Jezki has raced at the highest level. This bay gelding won last year's Champion Hurdle 2014 at odds of 9/1. By all accounts his last three starts have been disappointing - suffering multiple losses against Hurricane Fly. This seven-year-old hasn't helped himself when making costly mistakes and connections will be hoping this 5/1 shot jumps for fun on the big day.      

Conclusion: A fascinating Champion Hurdle. With Hurricane Fly and Jezki setting the standard being previous winners this will be a true test. By all accounts there may not be a great deal between Jezki, The New One & Hurricane Fly. Each have their strength and weakness. Jezki has fluffed his lines in the build-up suffering multiple defeats against Hurricane Fly which brings concern. I wonder if Jezki's win was as much to do with others making mistakes. Hurricane Fly was held in last year's renewal. However, this old timer has beaten Mrs John Harrington's charge on his last three starts. The New One will not be far away if he puts in a clear round. The interesting contender is Faugheen. Unbeaten. That word in itself favours many punters. It pays to appreciate Willie Mullins' star will need to shine at this level to win. It's telling Ruby Walsh takes the ride over warhorse Hurricane Fly. 

Verdict:

Faugheen (win bet) 11/10
Hurricane Fly (each-way) 10/1

Cheltenham Festival Big Race Trends

Just like a jockey or trainer, most people having a bet on the Cheltenham Festival are happy to come away with one winner. The four-day National Hunt extravaganza is arguably the most competitive meeting in the world and is brimming with quantity and quality in equal measure.

There will always be a few short-priced favourites at Cheltenham, but they’re not going to be a quick way to make money and there have also been plenty of occasions when they’ve been turned over.

There are definitely some trends, though, to help with the picking of Cheltenham winners. The handicaps have their own trends, but it is worth looking at them once the final entries have been announced so you know who is running in what race and what sort of weight they will be carrying.

The Grade One races are easier to examine in advance as many horses’ targets have been well publicised, so it is worth trying to pick out one or two trends from some of the big races.

The Festival starts with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, which has been won by Ireland on nine of the last 14 runnings. Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh have won the last two and are responsible for the favourite Douvan. However, Brave Inca was the last outright favourite to win the race in 2004.

Past Festival form is a reliable pointer for the Arkle Chase with nine of the last 12 winners having won or been placed previously. Nicky Henderson has won the race five times and Barry Geraghty has ridden the winner in three of the last six years, so Josses Hill appeals on those trends. Favourites have a poor record and the hot-pot Un De Sceaux hasn’t run at Cheltenham before either.

Wednesday starts with the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle and the last 15 winners have been aged five or six. Leading fancies Outlander and Parlour Games are both seven.

Age is key in the RSA Chase as well as the last eight winners have all been seven, as have 14 of the last 18. That puts Kings Palace at the forefront of considerations, especially with the eight-year-old Coneygree and six-year-old Don Poli having other options.

In the Champion Chase, three of the last five winners have been nine-year-olds, which could bode well for the past two winners of the race – Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy now that they have turned nine. Sprinter Sacre’s big-race jockey Geraghty, meanwhile, has won five of the last 12 renewals.

The World Hurdle has been a race for multiple winners as Baracouda, Inglis Drever and Big Buck’s have won nine of the last 13 runnings between them. Jonjo O’Neill has trained two of the other four winners, but he no longer has a contender after last year’s winner More Of That was ruled out.

The only thing you can guarantee about the Triumph Hurdle on the Friday is a four-year-old will win it!

As for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the highlight of the entire week, running at the Festival before, especially in the RSA Chase, has been a feature of recent winners. Favourites have a strong record in the race as well, with seven of the last 12 winning, while the winner tends to be aged between seven and nine. Irish trainers, meanwhile, have won only three of the last 17 renewals.

Looking at the trends then is one way of trying to pick a winner. But then you could have just as much success by closing your eyes and pointing at the racecard.

2015 Cheltenham Festival - Triumph Hurdle History & Trends

This Grade 1 National Hunt race is open to colts & fillies aged four years old. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of 2m 1f. It's open to novice hurdlers and run on the 13th March, Gold Cup Day, the last day of the Cheltenham Festival at Prestbury Park. 

This race was established in 1939 and won by a horse called Grey Talk, trained by George Batchelor. 

In those early days it was held at Park Hurst, Surrey. Surprisingly it was contested by a number of horses trained in France. Indeed, six of the first seven winners were French-based. Unknown to many, Letser Piggott won this race in 1954. 

The Triumph Hurdle moved to Cheltenham in 1965 and became part of the Festival in 1968. Most notable winner include Clair Soleil (1953), Persian War (1967), Kribensis (1988) and Katchit (2007). All these juveniles went on to win the Champion Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson is the leading trainer with five wins. Last year's race was won in fantastic style by the Gordon Elliot-trainer Tiger Roll, ridden by Davy Russell at odds of 10/1, by three-and-a-quarter lengths. 

What about the Triumph Hurdle trends? Here are some pointers. 

• The vast majority of recent winners have won on their last start before the big day. 
• Generally horses have an official rating over 80 on the Flat and raced over one and a half miles.
•  Tiger Roll won in 2014, the year before we saw the impressive Our Conor. 
• However, there had been a twelve-year void for the Irish challengers before this duo shone.
•  English-trained horses hold the aces from a statistical pointer.
•  A preparatory race in the month before the festival is another key factor to finding a winner.
• Most runners have at least three runs over hurdles. 
• Fancied horse often go best - so outsiders are best watched. 

This year's leading lights are detailed by the first three favourite with the next best 20/1 bar (written: 5th February). 

Peace And Co (pictured) is fancied to run a big race and presently 7/4f. This bay gelding, a son of Falco out of a French mare, is trained by Nicky Henderson. It races in the familiar silks of Simon Munir & Isaac Souede. He started his hurdling career in Clairefontaine, France. Some six-months later, this four-year-old made an impressive debut for his new connections at Doncaster - prevailing by nineteen lengths. The dogs have been barking about this exciting prospect and it is fitting he made a winning return at Cheltenham in one of the Triumph Hurdle Trials, ridden by Barry Geraghty. Considering Henderson's charge pulled hard in the early stages that victory was all the more pleasing. With earnings of over £45,000 there could be more to come. 

The two major fancied include Irish hope Kalkir, trained by Willie Mullins. This grey gelding has won once in three starts to date. He is generally priced at 8/1. 

Nicky Henderson has a strong hand with stablemate Hargam, owned by J P McManus. This grey gelding, a son of Sinndar, has been busy with six races so far. His first three efforts were in France on the Flat, before racing at Cheltenham for new connection. In December, he beat Karezak, who had been similarly defeated by Peace And Co. His most recent victory at Musselburgh saw a ready success in the hands of A P McCoy. By all accounts Henderson looks the man to follow this year.
     

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Can Hurricane Fly Win The Champion Hurdle For A Third Time?

Hurricane Fly demonstrated there is still plenty of life in the old horse yet when beating Jezki in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown on Monday.

The big question now is whether the Willie Mullins-trained horse can create history by regaining the Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham for a second time.

The son of Montjeu won the Champion Hurdle for the first time back in 2011 and, after finishing third to Rock On Ruby 12 months later, he turned the tables to win the race for a second time in 2013.

Last season saw Hurricane Fly finish fourth to Jezki before being beaten by the same horse at the Punchestown Festival. 

The back-to-back defeats led to concerns that Hurricane Fly’s best days were behind him, but he has returned this season in fine form.

He beat Jezki at Punchestown first time up before extending his unbeaten record at Leopardstown to nine races with his battling success over the same rival on Monday.

It was a record-breaking 21st Grade One triumph for Hurricane Fly, who will be 11 when he heads to Cheltenham Festival 2015 in March where his Christmas Hurdle-winning stablemate Faugheen will be in opposition.

Only two horses have previously won the Champion Hurdle at that age – Hatton’s Grace in 1951 and Sea Pigeon 30 years later.

His odds for the race were not significantly affected by his win in the Ryanair Hurdle and he remains the fourth favourite for the Champion Hurdle at around 12/1.

But Mullins certainly appears confident that Hurricane Fly retains the same zest which has brought 23 wins from 28 hurdle starts.

"It’s getting to the point with him now where I just let him do the talking," said Mullins the day after the Ryanair Hurdle win. "He’s just a fantastic horse with fantastic ability.

"He’s just a horse with huge ability but also with a tremendous amount of guts."

Hurricane Fly displayed his ability and guts to prevail against Jezki at Leopardstown, but there are two bigger dangers looming come the spring at Cheltenham – Faugheen and The New One.

Unbeaten stablemate Faugheen is the ante-post favourite for the Champion Hurdle

Mullins, though, still rates Hurricane Fly as his No.1, saying: "To me, he's our top Champion Hurdle horse - he has the ratings. Faugheen looks the one coming up, but Hurricane Fly's doing it.

"I think he's the best anyone has ever trained over jumps. I'll never have another horse like him. He's unique."

Faugheen has been extremely impressive so far this season and jockey Ruby Walsh will have an envious decision to make over who to ride at Cheltenham.

It is possible that could affect Hurricane Fly’s chances of success given Walsh’s strong affiliation with the horse.

The last time someone other than Walsh was aboard Hurricane Fly was back in January 2011 when Paul Townend was in the saddle to win the Irish Champion Hurdle.

Meanwhile, The New One is the best home hope to win the Champion Hurdle after finishing an unlucky third last season after being hampered early on in the race.

He flew past Hurricane Fly up the hill in 2014 and certainly looks primed to play a major role in this season’s renewal.

Mullins felt Hurricane Fly got tired that day and it has to be a concern that the same thing will happen again now that he is a year older.

Yet the spirit and ability remain intact and, if he is there at the last flight, then it would take some horse to outbattle him.

It would also be a wonderful story if Hurricane Fly can make history at Cheltenham Festival 2015.