Equinties - Cheltenham review

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2023’s Cheltenham Festival will no doubt go down as one of the greatest Festival’s ever. Pure drama, stunning performances and fierce competition and rivalry is the reason why it will be etched into our minds forever.

And that’s just Finndogs tips. The horses were good too.

Lets look back at the best stuff.

Cheltenham review

Tuesday 

Tuesday was for the smaller yards as Barry Connell and Mikey O’Sullivan took home the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle thanks to a brilliant ride from ‘Big Stones’ on MARINE NATIONALE. 

He will now head chasing and eyes are already on the 2024 Arkle with him after his defeat of FACILE VEGA. 

It wasn’t long before Mr Mullins got his hands on the prize money, however, as EL FABIOLO was much the better horse in this year’s Arkle to defeat JONBON. 

The duel between the two was very good, however, an even better sight was to see DYSART DYNAMO make it to his feet after a crashing fall at the last. 

Where next for the 1-2 – well, JONBON is set to go up in trip in the Manifesto at Aintree whereas EL FABIOLO, an “underrated jumper” could well be a Champion Chase horse in time. 

And then, the two horses everyone was here for. The Old Queen and the New King. CONSTITUTION HILL and HONEYSUCKLE.

CONSTITUTION HILL was breathtaking – he jumped everything perfectly, despite the last where he took off a stride too early (very ‘Annie Power-like’), he made it round in effortless style and made STATE MAN look like a 0-115 handicapper. 

Where next for him? Well, it’s simple really, he can either go Champion Hurdle, Arkle, Turners, Brown Advisory, Champion Chase, Ryanair, or Gold Cup. Got it? 

As for the horse that followed him, the 2023 Mares’ Hurdle will definitely be a “where were you when Honeysuckle won her second Mares Hurdle?” type moment – the parade ring and paddock were a sight to behold. 

She was unable to come through the centre of the parade ring due to people, the steps around the ring were filled to the brim, and everyone was cheering her name. It was iconic and we have been so lucky to have her in the sport. 

Enjoy retirement, HONEYSUCKLE, you will be sorely missed. 

NAP landed.

Wednesday 

Right, sentimental stuff is out of the way.

IMPAIRE ET PASSE in the Ballymore looked very good. 

Yes, it was an easy route through and yes, some in-behind did underperform, but this was still very good and it seems like Willie might have difficulties choosing where to go next – he thought of him as a chaser before the Ballymore but he could go down the Champion Hurdle route next season. 

One horse who is already taking advantage of his new chasing career is THE REAL WHACKER, a game-winner of the Brown Advisory to send all GERRI COLOMBE backers home crying before they had even got to the Champion Chase. 

Despite the favourite-backers tears, take nothing away from THE REAL WHACKER, he pinged every fence, dictated play, and won fair and square. You couldn’t be knocked back to see this horse running in something like a Cotswold Chase next season or even something like a King George. As for big GERRI COLOMBE, he needs a stiffer test - he'll be going close in the Gold Cup next year.

As for the rest of Wednesday, ENERGUMENE won a non-contest Champion Chase due to EDWARDSTONE’s from the race and it looks like A DREAM TO SHARE could be a proper horse for John Kiely to take to war with over hurdles next season. 

Thursday 

Thursday there was blood in the streets.

In a similar vein to GERRI COLOMBE the day before, the ‘banker of the week’ in MIGHTY POTTER was turned over.

What happened? Well, he jumped probably his best, and travelled well, but just didn’t find for pressure, which would have to be worrying as it could be a case of him not actually being good enough. 

A step up in trip could see him go better but he is one to watch on his next start. 

As for the winner, STATE STAR, he was very good on the front end despite his soft lead and never missed a beat – the Ryanair is his big aim for next season. 

More favourites were turned over later in the day as both SHISHKIN and TEAHUPOO had to settle for the runners-up position in the Ryanair and Stayers’ Hurdle respectively. 

In the former, ENVOI ALLEN made it three career Festival victories under Rachael Blackmore showing that when he is good, he is very good...

...and it was SIRE DU BERLAIS, whose last victory came in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle last April, who took the Stayers’ Hurdle home for Gordon Elliott and JP McManus, an owner who was slightly caught off guard by the win.

The talking horse of the week, BLAZING KHRAP didn't even place. LOL.

Friday 

Good performance after good performance on the Friday of the Festival, the perfect way to end the four days.

The fairy tale ending started with LOSSIEMOUTH in the Triumph, a horse who nearly ripped Paul Townend’s arms off at the top of the hill, as she scooted in to lead a Willie Mullins 1-2-3-4 in the Grade 1 event and gave every punter their first winner of the day.

Punchestown is next for her and then the future seems very open as to where they go next season with the Champion Hurdle being looked into.  

Anything the Irish can do, Paul Nicholls is able to give a big middle finger to, as he led the British charge in the Albert Bartlett to steal it from under their noses thanks to STAY AWAY FAY. CORBETTS CROSS backers will be a little butt hurt given he ran out when in contention but it's clear to see he was never winning and Nicholls' charge is defo one to keep on side as he moves over fences.

Next was the Gold Cup... fuck me it was some race.

BRAVEMANSGAME vs GALOPIN DES CHAMPS will be remembered for a long time to come, and it’s for THAT final fence. 

It was GALOPIN DES CHAMPS who came out on top on the day, a total machine that was in trouble early on but was smuggled into the race by jockey Paul Townend to land the blue-ribbon event. 

And what could be even scarier, Mullins thinks there could be more improvement to come. 

This was a classic Gold Cup where most turned up, gave their all, and the best equine athlete came out on top. Roll on next year to see how this lad keeps progressing.

And finally, we best give a mention to the Mares’ Chase, a race won by IMPERVIOUS who was very courageous up that Cheltenham hill – however, don’t give up on RIVIERE D-ETEL who was a massive eyecatcher before falling down the hill. Forget her at your peril.  

As for IMPERVIOUS, she is a class act and could have been one for one of the novice chases against the boys, but alas, she won the Mares’ Chase and it’ll take a good one to knock her off next year. 

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Bumper preview

Taunton

Hard one to read with Gordon's Point winner, SALADINS SON getting squeezed in the market. Obviously a nice horse having changed hands for 90k but there are better bred horses for a bumper in this race imo.

RANGE runs his third bumper for Thomas having run to >100 last twice, that's good bumper form and should be bang there today despite the drift.

Skeltons ROCK HOUSE won a Point easily but is moderately bred and only went for 50k. Hard to say how he'll go but I'd be inclined to take on.

I GOT STUNG reps Bailey who targets bumpers. He's out of a Listed bumper winner and a half to bumper winner I SPY A DIVA. At 12's you'd want to a bit more money for it but he'd be my pick on breeding.

Risk On

Any bets will be posted on twitter.