Tuesday March 14th 2023

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!

No interaction with readers allowed though.

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?

Well fatuous is what I expect from sub editors. You have to think that they are, overall, not very bright and looking for clicks.

On the whip issue....(No, not really)...I saw a comment about Constitution Hill's win which stated it was a hands only ride. Was that right?

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.

Sedge snowed off switch to breguet boy 5.00N.

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.

"childish" "creeping" - you make my point perfectly. You are incapable of responding to an opinion without trying to denigrate the author.

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.