Matt Chapman reflects on the 2017 Cheltenham Festival where the week had everything we could have wanted
MANY stars may have been missing, but the 2017 Festival still provided moments of extreme tension and heart-pumping excitement.
After months and months of build-up it’s hard to believe it’s all over. But it is, and now’s the time to reflect on a truly magical week.
Of course for your scribe it was a first Festival mixing with team ITV.
Our chief Ed Chamberlin was a real star, and fair play to all concerned for the hard work they put in behind and in front of the camera.
We hope you enjoyed the coverage. We loved bringing it to you.
What about those special moments on the track? These were mine.
FINISH OF THE WEEK
This is an absolute no-brainer. Might Bite’s defeat of Whisper in the RSA Chase will live long in the memory.
Some slated Nico de Boinville on the winner, but for me he did nothing wrong at all. In fact, I’d say well done Nico for getting back up as Might Bite did his best to throw victory away.
MOST READ
RELIEF OF THE WEEK
Defi Du Seuil had long been my banker of the week. Readers were happy after the JCB Triumph. Job done. Boom!
HANDICAPPER WAS RIGHT
After so much moaning from about the treatment of Irish horses in the handicap system, Presenting Percy showed what tosh all the waffle was in the Pertemps Final.
Davy Russell apologised to chief Phil Smith — quite right too!
NEVER WRITE OFF MULLINS & WALSH
After failing to bang in a winner on the first two days, Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins, Ireland’s champion jockey and trainer, had a four-timer on Thursday including Nichols Canyon in the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle. Wow!
THE CLASH WE ALL WANT
Douvan will hopefully return to his best, so I’m dreaming of Yorkhill, Altior and Un de Sceaux joining him in the 2018 Champion Chase. It won’t happen, but what a race it would be.
Amazingly this week’s hero Special Tiara doesn’t even get a look in against that lot!
RIDE OF THE WEEK
Jamie Codd was simply sensational on Fayonagh in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. Having started slowly and been off the pace, he rushed through late to beat Debuchet by nearly two lengths. It was quite an effort.
BEEN THERE DONE THAT
Cause Of Causes notched Festival win number three in the Cross Country Chase. He has also landed a Kim Muir in 2016 and National Hunt Chase in 2015. What a warrior. Un Temps Pour Tout also took a second Ultima Handicap Chase for David Pipe.
DEFEAT OF THE WEEK
Who would have thought that Douvan would finish seventh in the Champion Chase at odds of 2-9. Seeing was believing as the brilliant jumper lept terribly from fence to fence.
WHAT A RACE THAT WAS
I’m talking about the 2016 Supreme. Out of it came Altior, Min, Buveur d’Air, Charbel, Supasundae and Petit Mouchoir. Oh my.
CRUCIAL ERROR OF THE WEEK
For those of us in love with the wolf, there’s no doubt Neon Wolf’s stumble after the last in the Neptune will live with us for a very long time.
Not sure he would have beaten battler Willoughby Court even without it, but it would have been close.
TRAINING GENIUS
Nicky Henderson proved once and for all what a good bloke he is before and during the Festival. A terrific talker and trainer. Great for the sport.
FEATURE OF THE WEEK
ITV’S JT McNamara piece brought tears and joy. It was truly exceptional TV.
STUNNER OF THE WEEK
Labaik usually doesn’t start, but he showed what he can do when he does when romping home in the Supreme. Don’t give up on lightly-raced runner up Melon who is also very useful.
HAVING A MARE
Willie Mullins can only have cringed as Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini were defeated by Apple’s Jade, a horse taken away from Mullins.
I’M STILL HERE
Denis O’Regan just reminded us all what he can do when scoring on Tully East in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase.
. . . AND FINALLY
Jessica Harrington is a true Lady of the Turf, and Robbie ‘I’ve got the’ Power has long been a fine rider and totally good bloke. Well done to both with Gold Cup hero Sizing John — not to mention Supasundae and Rock The World. Legends.
It’s all over but the memories will live long.