Cheltenham Festival: Ruby Tuesday

Day One

Victoria Baskett, (pictured left) The Gaitpost’s Racing Correspondent, shares her thoughts on the sunniest of first days at the Cheltenham Festival.

Town criers chanting betting options, people dressed in red silks, bands playing around the town and Irish people everywhere. As my comrade Adam and I jumped on a busy bus to the racecourse, it was evident the excitement of Gold Cup week finally had the perfect time to emerge.

 On what I can only describe as the perfect day for a festival, Cheltenham looked immaculate with good to soft ground and the shell of a new grand stand intended to be ready for 2016. I actually had to bring out my sunglasses!

Kauto Star, Denman, Comply or Die, Grande Cru, Century Duty, Miko de Bauechen, Blazing Bailey, Big Bucks and Ortolan were well received for the ROR display (Retraining of Racehorses). Despite the notable absence of Dessie Hughs, (6 time festival winner as trainer) who sadly passed away last year, all were highly excited for a competitive first race – The Sky Bet Novices Champion Hurdle.

Douvan, the most highly tipped horse, looked spectacular with his pink and green colours while AP McCoy’s ride Jollyallan, trained by Harry Fry, who has previously beaten Douvan, appeared calm with a few head shakes. L’Ami Serge, the second favourite was very relaxed and well turned out with a traditional coloured brow band in green and gold. Qewy, unclipped, was slightly fresh but showed no sign of stress or sweat despite the hot weather.

A round of applause reached AP as he cantered his first ride of the festival to the start, however this was not to be provided by the end. A cheer rose with the flag as Sizing John and Some Plan lead the way. Douvan, ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by Willie Mullins sat patiently in the middle of the pack with Qewy as the back marker.

Qewy soon joined L’Ami Serge nearer the front but defeat was already evident.

Against the bookmakers’ wishes, Douvan won easily, overtaking the others at the second to last to win by four lengths. Ruby Tuesday was a definite as Walsh won the second race on the well-backed Un De Sceaux, beating God’s Own, trained by TR George (second) and Josses Hill, Henderson trained (third).

The Ultima Business Solutions Grade Three Handicap Chase was a fairly open race with Ned Stark, trained by Alan King, and The Druids Nephew, representing Neil Mulholland’s yard, leading the betting. My hopes were set on either Lamb or Cod (trained by Phillip Hobbs) or Mendip Express (from Harry Fry’s yard near Crewkerne) ridden by Will Biddick; a well-acclaimed point-to-point rider who I often saw last season whilst travelling to meets with the Newman team.

Although I feel a slight competitive urge against Biddick (due to my unadulterated backing of Newman horses and very competitive nature!) I felt compelled by my loyalty of point-to-pointing to support the entry.

However, to the joy of Mulholland and Geraghty, The Druids Nephew was a clear winner. The fast pace threw many, including Ned Stark and Mendip Express. Second came Grand Jesture, trained by Henry De Bromhead, and third Gallant Oscar, fourth Indian Castle.

At 3:20pm came the Stan James Grade One Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy – by far the most competitive race. Leading the betting was Faugheen, followed by The New One and Jezki. But with Arctic Fire and Hurricane Fly in the running, this was destined to be a competitive race.

All eight entries ran with Faugheen leading followed by The New One and Jezki with Bertimont as the back marker. Little changed within the pack until all three leaders ran side by side. However, as the Walsh and Mullins combination slipped away, The New One quickly lost his place as well as Jezki, despite McCoy sat on his back. In a surprise result, Arctic Fire finished second along with Hurricane Fly, third; both also trained in Mullins’ yard. This truly was turning out to be Ruby Tuesday as the crowd cheered for Ruby Walsh’s classy riding examples.

Annie Power (my favourite) was 4-7 on the betting in the OLBG mares hurdle. Another Mullins and Walsh combination, Annie sat quietly on the inside until she pushed her way through the pack. As Walsh was on his way for a third victory, she fell at the last hurdle having attempted to jump its shadow. L’Unique, another favourite, fell at the same hurdle immediately after Annie Power – leaving plenty of room for outsiders. Glens Melody took the title at 6-1, another trained by Mullins with second Polly Peachum, a Henderson horse, and third Bitofapuzzle trained by Harry Fry.

The Amateur Riders’ Novices’ National Hunt Chase dedicated to the well renowned and highly missed trainer, Toby Balding (1936-2014) had a large field of 17. Very Wood was the highest tipped at 7-2 but started mid field with I Need Gold leading. Many took their turn in the lead causing two of the main outsiders to gain ground. Cause of Causes, trained by Gordon Elliot, left it until late to make a win by one and a half-lengths to the 12-1 David Pipe trained Broadway Buffalo and The Job is Right, trained by Michael Hourigan, at 10-1 in third. 

In the last race of the day, The Chaps Restaurants Barbados Novices Handicap Chase, all twenty who were entered ran. Robin Dickin trained, Thomas Crapper, led the betting but after a false start, Stellar Notion, ridden by Paddy Brennan and trained by Tom George, led with Little Jon, from Nigel Twiston-Davies yard, close by although the green-silked competitor showed caution into fences. Horizontal Speed, trained by Phillips Hobbs, replaced Stellar Notion as the three stayed in front for the majority of the trip. However, the Rebecca Curtis trained Irish Cavalier stole the show and won with Thomas Crapper second and Generous Ransom, trained by Nick Gilfford, third.

After a brilliant day of sun, racing and Irish glee, I was pleased to return home and reflect on the day with a packet of biscuits. Sadly I will not be attending tomorrow or Thursday’s races, but if the opening day is anything to go by – I’m very jealous of anyone who can attend the next two days! What a fantastic way to start the festival.