Showcase Meeting 2018, Cheltenham Racecourse

Good morning all,

The first meeting at Cheltenham of the year is always richly awaited, and it was no exception this time around with the arrival of The Showcase Meeting, signalling 7 months of top quality action has returned to Prestbury Park.

Jack was on course photographing the action for us, and I will state here that whilst it is a very long report, I can say it is well worth the perseverance to the end! Hope you all enjoy!

Friday 26th October

Race 1 – The Ballymore Novices Hurdle

Canardier took the opener of the day and a brand new season at Cheltenham with an eye catching display in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle.

Sent off the 6/4 Favourite after a couple of placings in better company over in Ireland, he was steadily sent into contention coming down the hill by jockey Barry Geraghty, and unleashed just after the home bend to score by 2 ¼ lengths.

Recent Chepstow winner Rocco and Sam Twiston-Davies led at the start, being accompanied by a minor version of the famous Cheltenham Roar as the new season got underway at Prestbury Park. Sean Bowen on Go Another One was sat on his inside, with Sizing Cusimano and Harry Cobden keen to sit a few lengths back and let the two leaders up front dictate the pace and fight out the lead as the field went over the first few flights of hurdles.

As the field left the chute and entered the long sweeping left hand turn to lead onto the main section of the racecourse Go Another One was sent on by Sean Bowen, quickly establishing a two length lead over Rocco, who was content enough to sit back in proceedings and allow him to bowl along in front. Behind him the rest of the field was well bunched, Havana Beat tucked away on the inside of Sizing Cusimano and in front of Grageelagh Girl, Net De Treve, with Canardier and Make My Heart Fly bringing up the rear as they swung in to face the two down the long home straight.

As the field headed out into the country with a circuit to go, Go Another One had opened up a lead to 3 lengths, this lead being somewhat slightly reduced as the field went over the fifth. At this Havana Beat fell and slightly hampered Canardier in the process. Over the sixth the field had closed up to Go Another One, who led them up the hill towards the highest point of the racecourse. Over the seventh Net De Treve was the first to feel the pinch, being urged along by Jonathan Burke as the pace lifted and the field began to freewheel down the hill approaching 3 out.

Over 3 out Grageelagh Girl took aim at the long time leader, but it was Canardier who had made eye catching progress over that flight, cruising along with an impeccable jump to take him bang into contention. Rocco was in there pitching on the inside, and Sizing Cusimano was also looking to jump into the fray as the field went to 2 out. Over it Make My Heart Fly jumped up alongside Grageelagh Girl to take a place from her, but in behind the lot was Canardier, who had to be slightly reined back by Barry Geraghty to stop him jumping into the back of the leaders as the field took 2 out.

Swinging around the home turn Sean Bowen pushed the go button on Go Another One, attempting to run the sting out of his rivals and get away from them towards the last. Canardier was cruising in behind, Barry sat patiently aboard him as Make My Heart Fly and Rocco both began to weaken approaching the last, meaning it was looking like an Irish winner for the opener.

A foot perfect leap once again from Go Another One left him with a fighting chance over the last, jumping it cleaner than Canardier. Geraghty decided now was the time to engage full drive and the horse duly responded, quickening well and coming alongside the long term leader and sweeping by him to power up the hill and score by 2 and a quarter lengths. To his credit Go Another One tried to go with him with valiant pursuit, the pair pulling well clear of Make My Heart Fly and Rocco, who were 6 lengths and a further 1 ½ lengths back in third and fourth.

Sadly there was a tragic postscript after the race, as it was learned that Havana Beat had suffered a fatal injury when coming down at the fifth. Our condolences go to all connections at this time.

Race 2 – Squareintheair.com Novices Chase

Diakali made it 3 from 3 over fences when winning an eventful running of the squareintheair.com Novices Chase.

Having shown smart form for Willie Mullins over in Ireland, such as winning the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle in July 2015 and being Grade 1 placed on numerous occasions, he had lost his way recently, but it appears that trainer Gary Moore has found the key to him, and is reaping the rewards of that by keeping his unbeaten record over fences intact with a powerful and promising display at Cheltenham.

Initially reluctant to line up, Diakali set off in front, taking the field along from another grey, the second of four in the field Dear Sire following in second, Storm Home sitting behind in third. All the field took the first well, except for Caid Du Lin, who had to be nudged along by jockey Sam Twiston-Davies after a slightly erractic leap over it.

Diakali set a fast past as he crossed the second, reaching for it but getting to the other side safely. Caid Du Lin was again unconvincing over it, and Storm Home also blundered his way over it. Over the third Diakali had established a 5 length lead on the field, and that continued over the next few fences as the field went into the country and headed out with a circuit to run.

Just before jumping the water Sam pulled up Caid Du Lin, sensing something was amiss with his tack or mount, steering him out wide of the field. Diakali up front was seemingly enjoying himself, bowling along a good 10 lengths ahead of Dear Sire, who was jumping slightly to his right over his fences, but not doing anything to constitute a serious error. One for Billy, Storm Home and All Set To Go were sat behind him, waiting patiently and hoping that the leader has set off too quickly, such was the slightly frenetic pace of the race. At the ditch at the top of the hill Diakali met it on a great stride, producing a great leap that did draw a gasp from a few racegoers in attendance.

As Diakali swung down the hill and onto 3 out he was still a good 8-10 lengths ahead of Dear Sire and One For Billy, who were leading the chasing pack, but none of the riders appeared to be concerned at the distance the leader was in front. The leader popped over the third last still on the bit, a good 7 lengths clear of Dear Sire and One For Billy in company with All Set To Go, while it appeared Storm Home and Sister Sibyl were beginning to tail off.

Swinging in Diakali had a reduced lead to just one length as Jamie Moore began to nudge away at the leader to up the ante again. Brian Hughes came alongside on Dear Sire in menacing fashion, with Harry Skelton and One For Billy only a length down as the trio turned in and faced 2 out. Diakali rose just in front, but Dear Sire went through the fence and fell, unshipping rider Brian Hughes, who was visibly angry at the mishap, smacking his fists against the turf in frustration at what would appear he thought was a winning move entering the straight. That left only One For Billy to challenge the leader, the pair a good 10 lengths ahead of All Set To Go and the staying on Sister Sibyl.

Over the last Diakali still had a length up on his last pursuer, and they began to head up the Cheltenham hill in furious battle. However, just passing the tape rail which separates the running rail from the course they were taking to the line, One For Billy jinked to his left and ran out, in an incident that left trainer Dan Skelton furious at the misfortune that had befallen his brother and horse, which left Diakali to gallop to the line in a splendid isolation, 9 lengths in front of Sister Sibyl, All Set To Go taking third with Storm Home in fourth.

Race 3 – Brandon Hill Capital Handicap Hurdle

First Assignment made it a winning reappearance this season with a gritty, determined performance to get up in the shadows of the post to win the Brandon Hill Capital Handicap Hurdle for trainer Ian Williams and jockey Tom Scudamore.

Sent off the 9/2 Favourite and always in the first quarter of the field in the contest, he got up in the last few metres of the race to steal victory from Vive Le Roi, who was bidding to make the majority of the running, having led from a very early stage.

There was early drama in the race as Brillare Momento made an uncharacteristic mistake at the first, seemingly diving at the hurdle and possibly landing on it, and whilst not falling or unseating, rider Aidan Coleman swiftly pulled the mare up, the welfare of his mount as always coming first.

And The New took the field along during the early stages, next to Vive Le Roi and Roi De Dubai. The latter two took the running up going around the bend, setting a decent pace heading to the third, the first in the very long home straight.

A good 15-18 lengths separated first from last as the field went past the stands with a circuit to go. Mr Antolini flattened the first down the back, whilst Mellow Ben was being nudged along as the field approached halfway. Heading up the hill towards the crest of it the early trio of leaders came back to the field, and only 12 lengths would split the field as the field freewheeled down the hill towards 3 out.

Recent Worcester winner Really Super wasn’t very high at the hurdle, and started to come under a drive from jockey Jack Quinlan. Approaching two out a whole cluster of horses were looking to find a way past the early leader, who took 2 out with a flowing leap. First Assignment was next over the obstacle, and led the pack as they tried to snap away at the leader’s heels.

Swinging around the home turn it was still Vive Le Roi in front, with First Assignment and Lungarno Palace switched to the inside to try and use the rail to their advantage, while Mr Antolini went up the inside of the leader to try and force issue. Over the last First Assignment jumped it level with Vive Le Roi, with Mr Antolini between them, Lungarno Palace and Watersprite on the near side rail, followed by Trans Express and Christmas In April just in behind the wall of horses over the last.

Vive Le Roi was really game away from the hurdle and edged back in front of First Assignment, the pair moving to the nearside rail as they locked together in battle. In a pulsating finish to the race, First Assignment just got to the long time leader in the last few strides to score by just a short head, with Christmas In April the best of the rest in third.

Race 4 – Matchbook “Time To Move Over” Novices Chase

Lil Rockefeller made it 2 from 2 over fences with a brave victory in the Matchbook “Time To Move Over” Novices Chase.

The 5/6F may have raced lazily at times during the race, but made it count when he needed to when scoring by 4 lengths from the mare Treackle Tart, who herself has been in good form over fences, having also won last time out at Worcester.

Treackle Tart, Picamix and Lil Rockefeller jumped the first as one, with Arctic Gold and Shannon Bridge bringing up the rear. The first error was from Lil Rockefeller, who made a mistake at the third, the first down the back heading away from the stands, as he slithered on landing after the fence and was rather lucky not to fall or unseat rider Wayne Hutchinson.

At the first ditch, the fifth fence, Arctic Gold made a bad error, with jockey Sam Twiston-Davies ending up around the horses neck, thankfully for his backers the partnership between him and rider remained intact. Lil Rockefeller made another error at the sixth, going through the top of it and Wayne Hutchison had to gather his reins again.

The front two Picamix and Treackle Tart jumped the ditch on the hill with aplomb, all the others more cautious over it. Heading down the hill to the next Lil Rockefeller was again a bit low at his fence, though not a noteworthy error. Treackle Tart was more fluent at the first in the home straight and stood off the next as Wayne gave Lil Rockefeller two cracks of the whip in an effort for him to pick his ideas up, and he moved alongside the two leaders, but lost a length or two going over the cross fence by the Best Mate stand, again receiving a reminder.

The pace began to lift at this point, and for the next few fences all jumped it well. At four out, the final ditch, Picamix again jumped it well in conjunction with Treackle Tart, and once again Lil Rockefeller was a bit slow at it, Wayne starting to nudge away at him to get back into contention as the field swung down the hill to three out. Lil Rockefeller was switched to the outside by Wayne Hutchinson, eyeing up Picamix as they took three out together, a length ahead of Treackle Tart.

Going around the turn for home Lil Rockefeller took the lead and went two lengths up approaching 2 out. He jumped it well and kept the momentum towards the last, Picamix fading behind challengers Treackle Tart and Shannon Bridge, who was moving into contention to try and throw down a challenge at the last.

Lil Rockefeller jumped it cleanly and started up the hill, finding plenty for Wayne’s urgings and drawing away up the hill to win by 4 lengths from Treackle Tart who had fought off Shannon Bridge, settling for third on this occassion.

Race 5 – Foundation Developments Limited Maiden Hurdle

Trainer Olly Murphy had very good reason to celebrate at Cheltenham on Friday as he scored his first winner at the course, courtesy of Thomas Darby, who recorded a stylish display to win the Foundation Developments Limited Maiden Hurdle under Champion jockey Richard Johnson.

Already boasting an impressive and exciting set of novice hurdlers in the forms of Garrettstown, winner of a bumper at Chepstow in April and Brewinup’astorm, a £250,000 purchase and winner of a Hereford bumper and fourth in a strong Newbury edition earlier in the year, it can be argued that Thomas Darby can be added to this list after posting a taking performance, despite showing greenness along the way.

Elixir De Nutz took them over the first as Lunar Jet unseated his rider Henry Brooke on his hurdling debut. World War settled in second, Amoola Gold in third with Bang On Frankie in fourth. Market leader Sebastapol was positioned in mid field on the inside as the field swung into the country and headed down the back. At halfway there had been no change in the order, but Falcon Sun and Secret Melody were being ridden along over the fourth, as the field began to swing up the hill, taking the dogleg turn and heading towards 4 out.

Heading down the hill World War began to lose ground as Thomas Darby and Sebastopol began to take closer order approaching 3 out. Elixir De Nutz again jumped it well and set off towards the second from home, but the field were still trying to keep a close tab on him and began to give chase. At 2 out Amoola Gold began to drop back, their challenge waning, as Thomas Darby moved into third. Favourite Sebastopol began to receive strong pressure from jockey Aidan Coleman but looked to be giving no impression on the first 4.

Swinging into the straight Elixir De Nutz and Bang On Frankie were locked together in battle, a good 4 lengths ahead of Thomas Darby, who was giving valiant chase. Over the last the two leaders had only a length and a half up on Thomas Darby, who was switched to the outside after the hurdle as Bang On Frankie drew alongside Elixir De Nutz. Thomas Darby drew alongside them with menacing fashion and, despite looking around a bit, powered away up the Cheltenham hill to score by 3 ¼ lengths from Elixir De Nutz, who just held off Bang On Frankie by a nose.

Race 6 – Ryman Stationery Business Club Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase

Sam Red took an eventful running of the Ryman Stationery Business Club Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase, scoring a victory which seemed unlikely only seconds before under jockey Mr William Marshall for trainer Dan Skelton.

The 11/1 shot ran on after another incident where Oighear Dubh ran out after the last, costing him and jockey Michael O’Sullivan victory. It was a victory that was at the opposite end of the emotion scales for trainer Dan Skelton, who earlier had seen his horse One For Billy run out in similar fashion in the same place when challenging Diakali in the second race on the card.

The cavalry charge to the first began with Vinegar Hill and Another Frontier leading over the first, but Another Frontier unshipped rider Mr Michael Molloy at it, and Goohar also got rid of his rider Mr M Galligan in dramatic opening scenes.

Bells N Banjos, Vinegar Hill, Robinroyale, Sam Red and Asking Questions were amongst the wall of horses who led over the second, with Vinegar Hill allowing Bells N Banjos to stride on as the field went into the country with two circuits of Prestbury Park to go. Cucklington was ridden along after the third by jockey Mr Michael Legg, asking him to pick his ideas up.

Killer Crow hit the ditch at the top of the hill hard, almost interfering with Fifty Shades, the second of the greys in the field. Cucklington hit another flat spot going down the hill and received another reminder from his jockey. As the field turned into the country with a circuit to go it was still anyone’s race, a large number of the field going well within themselves.

The first down the side of the course once again proved problematic as Robinroyale hit the fence hard and fell, getting rid of rider Mr Luca Morgan who had no chance of staying on. Going over the ditch down the side Asking Questions jumped it boldly as he tried to move up a touch under Mr Ed Glassonbury, while Sam Red and Sporting Boy followed his ideas and went into closer order to the leader Vinegar Hill. Mucklerow hit the fence and Sergeant Brodie was also pulled up at it as the pace began to lift and exertions started to show on a majority of the field.

Coming down the hill Mr Jamie Codd had positioned Presenting Julio onto the wide outside in an effort to take closer order and mount a challenge approaching 3 out. He jumped it just in front of Vinegar Hill, Oighear Dubh and Sporting Boy, with Sam Red only a length down. These five horses had pulled clear of the remainder of who was left running, headed by Asking Questions who was doing his customary chivalrous valour by trying to get back into contention.

Turning in and approaching 2 out Oighear Dubh and Mr Michael O’Sullivan had cruised into the lead, Mr Jamie Codd on presenting Julio looking more animated. Whilst he rallied to his jockey’s urgings, going to the last it looked as if Oighear Dubh was going to triumph. Despite fluffing the last, he got away cleanly and was in the process of clearing away to win when he suddenly jinked left, unbalancing and eventually unseating his jockey as he ran out, handing first place to Presenting Julio.

Joy for Codd must have quickly turned to despair, as his mount found nothing extra, running on empty up the Cheltenham hill, and sensing this Sam Red and Fifty Shades flew past him to battle it out for top honours. Sam Red won the battle, prevailing by ½ a length, a further two lengths to Presenting Julio, Calin Du Brizais bringing up fourth. Mr Michael O’Sullivan was inconsolable after the race, and one can only imagine the heartbreak he felt after having one second been on the verge of a historic, dream win at Cheltenham, and then to have it cruelly snatched away by fate.

Race 7 – Matchbook Betting Podcast Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle

It was a case of saving the best performance until last on day 1 of the Showcase meeting at Cheltenham as Storm Rising simply blew away the opposition with a powerful show of force under conditional jockey Charlie Hammond for trainer Dr Richard Newland.

Bought out of Denis Hogan’s yard for just £20,000 after winning a handicap at the Galway Festival in July and finishing 4th in a decent handicap on the Flat recently, he made his stable debut a winning one by effortlessly disposing of a decent handicap by an eased down 4 lengths.

Mister Universum, Storm Rising, Silver Star, Lord Condi and Shoal Bay were the leading group of horses over the first flight. They continued to dispute the lead between themselves until the bend leading away from the stands, when Mister Universum decided enough was enough and went on as the field swung round into the country.

Lord Condi was not fluent at the first down the back, having to be nudged along to pick his ideas up. Going down the side of the course Shoal Bay was taking a pull every now and again, jockey Mr B Godfrey keen to keep him settled on the outside of the field.

Magic Dancer made an error at the 4th hurdle, just as the field reached the halfway point in the contest. At this point only 6 lengths were separating first to last, and it looked a pretty open contest as the field swung round the top bend and began to freewheel down the hill. At least 10 horses appeared to have a chance as the field headed down to 3 out. Minellaforleisure loomed up on the outside with Silver Star, as Storm Rising went up the inside towards 2 out as the pace began to lift and the race hotted up.

Storm Rising cruised powerfully into the lead after 2 out, swinging and bowling along on the bit under Charlie Hammond as the rest of the field began to be shoved and nudged along in an effort to catch this leader who had slipped a good few lengths clear coming around the bend and up towards the last.

A great leap at the last sealed the win, and the horse only had to receive one slap of the whip and a hands and heels ride to record an eased down winning debut in effortless, commanding fashion, proving either that the handicapper hasn’t got a hold of him yet, or that he was simply too good for this Class 3 event, and could be destined for better things in the future.

Saturday 27th October

Race 1 - “Matchbook Betting Exchange” Handicap Chase

Relentless Dreamer struck a minor surprise in the opener on day 2 of The Showcase Meeting at Cheltenham when taking the “Matchbook Betting Exchange” Handicap Chase at 16/1.

Ultra consistent since winning at Ludlow in December of last year, he got the better of a titanic battle with last year’s winner Cogry, responding with plenty of determination when the latter came on his outsides at the last.

Cogry, Captain Chaos, Shantou Village and Braqueur D’or led over the first, with the latter diving at it, surrendering a position to Cogry who took the field along into the country for the first time, but not for long as West Approach raced enthusiastically going down the hill to take the lead.

At the fourth Rightdownthemiddle made an error, while West Approach gave the water plenty of air. He continued his gallop however, and by the 8th was 8 lengths up on the Cogry, Braqueur D’or Domesday Book and Shantou Village. Back in the field Swingbridge made an error over the 9th, and as the field turned into the home straight again West Approach’s lead had been reduced to just 3 lengths.

A great leap at the 11th restored some of his lead, and as the field went over the 12th a few of them started to exhibit signs of alarm, with Laurium and Captain Chaos beginning to struggle and Above Board clouting the fence, rider Aidan Coleman having to roust his mount along, and lucky not to become unseated. At the first down the back Shantou Village made an error, but it wasn’t a totally serious one at that.

Another big leap from West Approach at the 16th kept his followers excited and in trepidation, while the same couldn’t be said for those of Domesday Book, who was starting to drop back through the field. Over 4 out, the last ditch at the top of the hill Shantou Village and Cogry were snapping away at West Approach’s heels, and going to 3 out it was the former who had joined the long term leader to challenge.

Others were building up behind them, Relentless Dreamer coming up along the inside to try and squeeze a passage through as the field began to prepare to swing into the straight and face the last two obstacles plus the famous hill.

Shantou Village dropped away from 2 out as Relentless Dreamer and Cogry finally reeled in the long term leader to set up a match between them as they went over the last. A great leap from Cogry when he needed it gave him a spirited chance of defending his crown, but despite the roars from his supporters gathered at Cheltenham, he was just outstayed by his rival, who prevailed by a neck. They were 11 lengths ahead of the gutsy West Approach, whose front running tactics seemed to suit him on the day, while Calett Mad was fourth.

Race 2 – Masterson Holdings Hurdle

Pearl Of The West made it yet another win for Ireland in this 4 year old only contest when landing the Masterson Holdings Hurdle for trainer John McConnell and jockey Sean Bowen.

In a race billed to be a duel between Alan King’s Redicean and Philip Hobbs’ Gumball, both two excellent juveniles from last season in their own right, it was the Irish filly who prevailed under a great front running ride from her willing partner Sean.

Pearl Of The West and Eragon De Chanay lead over the first, the latter a little awkward over it. Gumball was held up in the rear of the pack by Richard Johnson, connections opting for a change of tactics from his usual front running style. Ahead of him Redicean was settled in third, Padleyourowncanoe in fourth, Esprit De Somoza in fifth.

Gumball flew the third, Richard having to restrain him as he took a length out of his rivals, almost jumping into the back of one of them over it. He once again impressed going over the fourth, but made a mistake over the fifth, whilst up ahead Pearl Of The West went 4 lengths up on the rest of the field as the came around the top of the hill and started to freewheel down it.

Eragon De Chanay dropped away rapidly at this point, seemingly not enjoying the pace or conditions. Redicean made a move to take closer order at the leader as the field went over 2 out, Gumball following him through, tracking his every move and looking ready to pounce.

Turning in Padleyourowncanoe and Esprit De Somoza were hard ridden, but Dickie was now starting to get to work on Gumball, his mount not picking up to reel in the leaders. Redicean was all the time still trying valiantly to close on the leader, who flew the last and landed 2 lengths clear. Despite the chase, Pearl Of The West was simply too good and the bird had flown, registering a 3 ¼ length victory from Redicean, a further 1 ¼ lengths back to Padleyourowncanoe, and 7 back to Gumball, who was quickly beaten and never threatened.

Race 3 – Randox Health Handicap Chase

Modus made a pleasing start to the season with a well fought victory in the Randox Health Handicap Chase under jockey Barry Geraghty for trainer Paul Nicholls.

Sporting his owner JP McManus’ famous green and gold colours, he saw off a determined performer in Duke Of Navan when getting up in the last few strides to just nose out his valiant opponent, a victory that created plenty of noise around Prestbury Park.

Foxtail Hill and Bigmartre took one another on as the field of 7 made their way down to the first. Foxtail Hill won that argument as he took a keen hold over the first few fences and held a 5 length lead going towards the third.

Reined back in going down to the fifth to just 1 length as the field went away from the stands and into the country, there was no real concern from any jockey as they went towards the line of fences down the back. At the first of the two ditches in the race Vosnee Romanee started to struggle, dropping back through the field and belting the 9th, Bigmartre also making an error at that one.

Modus was beginning to move up but made an error at the second of the two ditches, leaving Lillington to pass him and relegate him to last of the 6 who had pulled well away from Vosnee Romanee. Duke Of Navan was happy to sit at the back of the field and allow his competitors to bustle it out between them, as the field swung round the far bend and began to come down the hill.

Bigmartre was shaken up going down it and approaching 3 out. Lillington hit the third last and dropped out of contention a little, Duke Of Navan going past him and eyeing up the front quartet. Modus made a move on the outside, cruising in the hands of Barry Geraghty, his supporters sensing victory could be close as the field swung into the home straight and eyed up the final obstacles.

Modus led Foxtail Hill over 2 out, Duke Of Navan then switching to split the pair having come off the rail to get a crack at Foxtail Hill. Modus jumped the last just ahead, but Duke Of Navan was faster away and got a ½ length lead on him as they both duelled up the Cheltenham hill. Modus fought back all the way to the line, and in the shadows of the posts just prevailed by a head, to rapturous approval from his willing supporters as he crossed the line. The pair pulled 9 lengths clear of Foxtail Hill, who just couldn’t go with them on the day.

Race 4 –Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

The Mighty Don relished the step back up in trip to 3 miles to win the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle for trainer Nick Gifford and jockey Leighton Aspell, but needed every yard of the trip to reel in the runner up Sykes.

Reverting back to hurdles after a slightly disappointing chase debut at Fontwell 3 weeks earlier where he unseated his partner for the race, he put in a determined finish to snatch victory in the final strides of the race from the unlucky Sykes.

Sykes and Theclockisticking took the field along at a fast clip, with Regal Flow and General Consensus in company alongside them as they went to the first hurdle. All the horses were jumping well on the first circuit, no real causes for alarm from any of the riders. Going down the hill for the first time the field was 10-12 lengths first to last, and as the field entered the home straight for the first time all were travelling well.

Drama followed on the bend away from the stands however, as King Calvin either clipped heels with the rival in front, stumbled or slipped on the bend and fell, and in the process brought down Landin who was travelling behind him and who had nowhere to go to avoid the horse in front. Both horses and King Calvin’s jockey Nick Scholfield were up straight away, but Landin’s jockey Jeremiah McGrath was winded for a short time, rolling around on the bend as he got his breath back. Thankfully that was the only sign of an injury in what looked a nasty incident on first glance.

At the first in the back, the 7th, there was a mistake from Wait For Me, Richard Johnson at the back of the saddle for a stride or two. Leader Sykes mades an error at the eighth, just as Regal Flow and The Eaglehaslanded were beginning to pester and harass him for the lead.

At the hurdle towards the top of the hill Red Infantry started to lose touch on the field a little, dropping away to the rear before attempting to pick up, but as he was being ridden along and not finding much his backers must have knew it wasn’t to be his day today. The rest of the field moved down to the 10th, 3 out, where Sykes made a great leap when he could have done with it. He produced another good leap at 2 out, and stole 3 lengths on his rivals. Same couldn’t be said however for NotwhatIam, who fell at the hurdle but got up afterwards and walked back to the stables.

Swinging in, The Mighty Don went after Sykes, switching to the near side to have a crack at the leader. He got the better leap at the last and got to within half a length of him, Dawn Raider and Theclockisticking also coming after the pair. Sykes dug in going to the line, but The Mighty Don just managed to chisel a way up the inside to sneak in and snatch victory in the last few metres of the race, which seemed to prove his preference for further, rather than the 2m 5f trips he has been used to.

Race 5 – Randox Health Novices Hurdle

If anyone had said beforehand that the race had been branded as not up to the usual standard this Class 2 event can bring, then they were surely made to eat their words later on Saturday afternoon as the Gordon Elliott trained Dinons created an aura of high class around him with a very impressive victory in the Randox Health Novices Hurdle under Richard Johnson.

Sent off the heavily backed 4/6F after scoring 4 wins on the trot since a hurdles debut mishap, he spread eagled his rivals and scooted up the Cheltenham hill to score by 14 lengths, though it could easily have been more.

Ultragold, winner of two Topham Chases at Aintree, took the field along over the first in the 3 mile contest, favourite Dinons going through the top slightly and Mine’s A Pint running keenly and with enthusiasm, throwing his head around a little at the back of the field.

It was a steady pace to the 2nd, with 6 lengths from first to last. At the third the leader Ultragold put in a great leap, and concerning it was his first hurdles race for about 6 years, he seemed to be performing as though it was his speciality.

Going to the turn into the home straight for the first time Dinons hit the top bar of the hurdle, not for the first time he had done that in the contest, his hurdling lacking a little fluidity. Around the turn away from the stands and onto the 7th Mine’s A Pint was losing ground on the field, sinking to 6 lengths adrift of Ballyart at the back of the main pack.

At the eighth Dickie Johnson thought it was time for him to press on with Dinons and took the lead, injecting a small amount of pace that caught Ballyart out a little, and he was ridden along by Sam Twiston-Davies to try to keep tabs on his rivals.

3 out Dinons was again not fluent but he lost no momentum in his error, getting all his remaining rivals off the bridle and motoring down to 2 out he looked already well in command. He was better at this hurdle and swinging around the home turn he was a good 7 lengths up on De Name Evades Me, who had moved into second but wasn’t getting close to the leader.

A good leap at the last sealed the win for Dinons, who only received one crack of the whip and a hands and heels ride to score by 14 lengths. He looks full of class and potential, and given he gave his rivals 8lbs and a comprehensive beating, it may be the case that the next time we see Dinons will be in Graded company, and you couldn’t say he doesn’t deserve to be left out of it.

Race 6 - “Move Over To Matchbook” Novices Chase

It was a quick fire double for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Richard Johnson as Cubomania continued the good run of form when winning the “Move Over To Matchbook Novices Chase”.

Sent off at 10/3, surprisingly the third choice of four for punters given his recent third in the Grade 3 Buck House Novices Chase behind the Willie Mullins trained Cadmium at Punchestown earlier in the month, he took the Class 2 event with a comprehensive performance of fluent jumping.

Monbeg Legend took the field along to the first, with chasing debutant Knight In Dubai and Graasten sharing second, with Cubomania settled in rear by Dickie Johnson. At the second Knight In Dubai hit it hard, and it was a remarkable sit from Harry Skelton as he was very unbalanced and at the rear of the saddle for a moment of two.

Monbeg Legend gave a great leap at the third, and all the field were foot perfect at the fourth. At the sixth, heading out to the country with a circuit to go Knight In Dubai threatened to take the lead, but Monbeg Legend strode on by 2 lengths going up to the seventh. Graasten guessed at the eighth fence, his first serious blunder, but the partnership of him and jockey Joshua Moore remained intact.

Monbeg Legend flew the first ditch, the 10th, and all went over the 11th with no problems at all. At the 12th, the final of the two ditches, Knight In Dubai took off slightly too early and ploughed through the fence, ending up with a fall that mercifully despite looking a nasty one both horse and jockey were swiftly on their feet.

Heading down the hill and over 3 out Cubomania was positioned on the outside by Richard Johnson and he cruised up to join Monbeg legend as the leader upped the pace as the field swung in around the final bend to approach 2 out.

Cubomania swept into the lead past his two remaining rivals, and attacked the last in the same decisive manner, and he certainly wasn’t for catching up the hill as he scored a 2 ¾ length success over Monbeg Legend, Graasten a further 1 ½ back in third.

Race 7 – Jockey Club Ownership Syndicate Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race

Fergal O’Brien knows how to ready a bumper horse, and he showed why when Strong Glance took the concluding race of the meeting by half a length from Master Debonair under jockey Alain Cawley.

Sent off the 5/2F after a convincing fifth place behind Didtheyleaveuoutto in a Listed Bumper at Ascot in December, he travelled like much the best horse throughout the 2 mile contest before knuckling down to fight off the attentions and best efforts of his rival Master Debonair.

In a steady run race he was settled in the rear early on, Jaytrack Parkholmes and Champagne Court taking the field along. At the top of the hill Alain moved the favourite to the outside of the field, where a line of 6 horses were breaking away from the main bunch of the field. Those 6 were Jaytrack Parkhomes, Breaking Waves, Champagne Court, Earlofthecotswolds, Master Debonair and Strong Glance.

Turning in it became clear it was going to be a straight fight between the latter two and Breaking Waves, the trio clearing away from their rivals to slug out the finish. It was the Fergal O’Brien horse who prevailed on the near side by half a length to a determined Master Debonair, Breaking Waves’ effort petering out at the end, and having to settle for third. It can be expected that the winner could go over hurdles next time, but wherever they head next they should be followed closely.

Thanks very much for reading the report, a LOT MORE images are coming to our Flickr page very soon, as are a few other meetings on here. Watch this space, it's going to be a very good few months if all goes to plan!

Until next time,

Tom.