New Year's Day 2018, Cheltenham Racecourse

Good afternoon all,

Going to be keeping a few blogs on the action from Cheltenham today, as I'm at JTW Equine Images HQ, whilst Jack is at the course.

First race was the Ballymore Novices Hurdle. Here is a quick review of it.

Jarvey's Plate scored a 12/1 victory for local trainer Fergal O'Brien under Paddy Brennan for the local owners The Yes No Wait Sorries.

Having been showing good form behind a leading novice in Elixir De Nutz, he benefitted from a step up in trip to defeat leading rivals I Can't Explain, the 4/5F and Anemoi, who was also stepping up in trip.

Darlac took the field on at the start, going 2 lengths clear of Rocco and Sam Twiston-Davies. He was slick at the third, with Anemoi a little awkward. Favourite I Can't Explain was held up at the rear by Nico De Boinville as the field swung round into the country with a circuit to run.

Rocco lost out at the sixth, with the favourite circling the field as they approached the seventh. Here Mr Pumblechook made an error and dropped to the rear of the field.

3 out Anemoi moved up to eyeball Darlac and take him on. He led at 2 out, with Jarvey's Plate coming up the inside to take close order as the leaders swung around the home turn and approached the hill. Jarvey's Plate kicked on and started to pull clear approaching the last, Anemoi and I Can't Explain not being able to pick up and close in on the leader. He flew the last and careered away under Paddy Brennan to score by 13 lengths to I Can't Explain, who was a further head in front of Anemoi.

Trainer Fergal O'Brien said afterwards that it was all credit to Ally who looks after and rides him everyday. He added that he and the team will enjoy tonight, and then look at coming back for Festival Trials Day at the end of the month, presumably for the race of the same name.

Second race of the day was the Join The Betbright Racing Club Handicap Chase, and was won in fine style by top weight Beware The Bear for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Jeremiah McGrath.

Dropping down in class after a fourth on his reappearance in the Ladbrokes Trophy, he stayed on tenaciously up the Cheltenham hill to defeat the rallying Shanroe Santos, with a local legend in Perfect Candidate a valiant third, continuing trainer Fergal O'Brien's great start to the day after his winner in the first.

The big disappointment of the race was The Druid's Nephew, a previous Cheltenham Festival winner. It would appear he couldn't go a yard after nearly two years off, and may have needed the pipe opener, but was pulled up with a circuit to run.

Just after the race was concluded, news began to emerge that the legend of Fergal O'Brien Racing Alvarado, who finished sixth in the race, had been retired. We would like to wish him all the best for the future, and know that he will go to a home who love him as much as those at the yard do. Happy Retirement!