No great surprise, but this was a hugely dominant day for the Irish at Cheltenham. Five wins in the seven races, with the Supreme seeing the first eight home all trained in Ireland. They also finished first and third in the Arkle and the David Nicholson, first four in the Fred Winter and first and second in the NH Chase. Behind the brilliant Constitution (Irish bred) they finished second, third and fourth. If comments were open on the Guardian I'd be asking Michael if he still refused to have any interest in racing in Ireland. The gulf between the Irish and British novices is growing ever wider and if the BHA do not hit the panic button it only goes to prove yet again they are not fit to be in charge.
I get emails now from France Galop as no doubt other members of the syndicate do. This evening's includes, " French breeders, too, were more than happy after El Fabiolo, Jazzy Matty and Gaillard du Mesnil brought home the first three victories of the Festival. In fact, the jumping season in England and Ireland runs from May to April and this season 26 of the 36 Grade 1 races had already been won by French breds. Following that first day at Cheltenham, the figure now stands at 27 out of 40 Grade 1 races. Not bad is it ?"
I was pretty staggered when I saw the list of French bred entries tomorrow, no less than 38 in total, some favourites.
You will have, I don't doubt, Harry, encyclopaedic knowledge of when Irish trainers such as Willie Mullins saw the opportunity and advantage of buying from French breeders. And no doubt, when UK trainers started to do so. I think there are about 15 of the 38 which are trained by UK trainers.
That aside, I thought it was a memorable afternoon. For once I thought a comment by the ITV team (Mick Fitzgerald) was apposite. He said, as I recall, that it had been a privilege to witness the remarkable supremacy of Constitution Hill and the wonderful end to the career of Honeysuckle. Generally, I steer clear of the confected emotion generated by ITV journalists, but the aftermath of Honeysuckle's win deserved all the outpourings of those involved whose sincerity cannot be questioned.
It was also hugely cheering to see the recovery of Dysart Dynamo and the unconcealed relief of his stable staff member.
I must not forget to thank Joe for his selection of Corach Rambler which helped me to edge slightly ahead of the bookie today. Cheers Joe!
Good to see the Guardian doing live coverage of Cheltenham again this year. There are two other journalists and Greg Wood who is doing a sterling job with the resources at his disposal. It's aimed to bring in the more general reader.
Did you see a strong candidate for the most fatuous picture caption of the week? "Michael O’Sullivan holds his whip on Marine Nationale on day one of the Cheltenham Festival." Er, so?
He would have worked harder on the gallops at Seven Barrows. Truly a hand ride to win the Blue Riband. Extraordinary. Quick time too - I'm not sure how soft that ground actuallywas because all the horses that were looking for good going ran well today.
After not being that bothered about Cheltenham- i find myself excitedly waiting to get picked up to head to Pub and looking forward to the day ahead and the big cheer at start of Supreme.
If Greg or the Gaurdian wrote that they had been to Elvis wedding where he married Snow White you would be the first person to ask what colour her dress was .
How you could interpret the paragraph about NH racing as you have shows those rose coloured specs are stuck on with bostick.
No,im a real life realist. I'm far from obsessed with GW or the G whereas you constantly defend him or the G when anyone dares to put up any criticism of anything he writes . You are quick enough to back him up but can't take it when anyone bites back. Your childish post yesterday creeping again shows that the obsession thing is your problem ,not mine.
Straight talking is better than pompous waffle. A little knowledge of a subject in the hands of someone who thinks hes cleverer and smarter than everyone else is a dangerous thing. I stand by what I said about GW ,G and your creeping around them. Now if that's demeaning,denigrating or pure bollocks I really could not give a flying you know what.
Streak Lightning EW Nap 2nd 20/1
No great surprise, but this was a hugely dominant day for the Irish at Cheltenham. Five wins in the seven races, with the Supreme seeing the first eight home all trained in Ireland. They also finished first and third in the Arkle and the David Nicholson, first four in the Fred Winter and first and second in the NH Chase. Behind the brilliant Constitution (Irish bred) they finished second, third and fourth. If comments were open on the Guardian I'd be asking Michael if he still refused to have any interest in racing in Ireland. The gulf between the Irish and British novices is growing ever wider and if the BHA do not hit the panic button it only goes to prove yet again they are not fit to be in charge.
breguet boy won 11/10.
Marine Nationale won at 9/2. It's all downhill from here.
Streak Lightning 20:15 New'c EW Nap.... Ruth Carr has chucked a curveball into this race with Little Earl 100/1 carrying no weight..
Good luck everyone.... it feels like Christmas Day for grownups.
Good to see the Guardian doing live coverage of Cheltenham again this year. There are two other journalists and Greg Wood who is doing a sterling job with the resources at his disposal. It's aimed to bring in the more general reader.
After not being that bothered about Cheltenham- i find myself excitedly waiting to get picked up to head to Pub and looking forward to the day ahead and the big cheer at start of Supreme.
Good luck All!
Purple Ice. Southwell 8.00.
Good Boy Bobby 2.50 Cheltenham
i was going to go Mombeg Genious but the yard is out of form.and its wide open
BAD EW in the 16.50 is nap
Tahmuras 1.30 Chelts.
Trac 5.10S.
I'm living in the (maybe false) hope that the Supreme is wide open despite what the odds say.
Nap Chelts 1330 Strong Leader
Happygolucky 2.50 Cheltenham is the nap,well done yesterdays winners.
2.50 Cheltenham Cloudy Glen ew
Marine Nationale - 13.30 Cheltenham
2.50 Cheltenham - Fantastikas (each way)
The Big Breakaway. 14.50. Cheltenham.
If Greg or the Gaurdian wrote that they had been to Elvis wedding where he married Snow White you would be the first person to ask what colour her dress was .
How you could interpret the paragraph about NH racing as you have shows those rose coloured specs are stuck on with bostick.