Dear All

Well, that was a terrific Festival of racing talent at the foot of Cleeve Hill. Four extraordinary days of high drama, tragedy and heroism.

Has jumps racing ever been so blessed? Everywhere one looks, an equine superstar currently resides. Bobs Worth - absent for well in excess of three-figure days - routinely the "experts" pontificate that winning at the Festival requires an outing post-Christmas - Bob stretched the disbelief further by beating some powerful opposition with only one run outside of novice company; that a handicap (a good one, yes! A handicap nevertheless. He devours that hill; has a sense of occasion; causes his trainer to weep the same tears of joy usually reserved only for the new Himself, the God-like two-miler, Sprinter Sacre, imperious, in smashing the resolve of the oh so talented, long-time Cheltenham warrior, Sizing Europe.

With this year's events still as fresh as paint in the memories of the disciples, attention immediately turns to the next one, in 2014. Can we allow ourselves the indulgence of asking fate to permit all of the main protagonists to return fit and well in twelve months time... What a spectacle! Bob versus Sir Des (next time without his sworn enemy, rainfall!), Long Run, Silviniaco, Flight Lieutenant perhaps and this year's crop of novices et al - maybe the new Kauto Star will emerge; maybe he already has...

By the turn of the year's final quartile, our hearts and minds will be absorbed by the anticipation of the 2014 Festival. Every racecourse appearance will be written up with a sub-plot extemporising which contest(s) - these days, very much the plural - note: Gevrey Chambertin - one of many to have multiple entries; making Ante-Post betting a minefield! - will emerge as the targets for almost every beast which achieves a Racing Post Rating of 140+. Occasionally, one hears a pundit question this love affair by suggesting that the Tingle Creek, the Hennessy and the Betfair Gold Trophy (think that's what it's called now (Europe's most valuable two-mile handicap hurdle scheduled for Newbury in February each year) are "important milestones in their own right" and, of course, they are, but, however, we might try to escape this apparent equine myopia, all roads lead to a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire on the edge of the Cotswolds (thank you, Wikipedia!) during the middle ages of March. My work colleagues have got used to my absence for the four days and no longer question me about my whereabouts.

For various reasons, I haven't travelled to the holy shrine of the sport of kings for the past two years; instead ensconcing myself with my good friend, Sideways Glance, in front of the television with the magic machine at my fingertips taking advantage of the myriad of bookmaker offers and up-to-the-minute information. A perfect segue

Sideways had an extraordinary Cheltenham. He backed Flaxen Flare and Carrickboy, Our Conor and Ted Veale, Shakervilz and Double Ross, White Star Line and Milord, Rock On Ruby and Godsmejudge, The New One and Holywell. He also created several good positions on more fancied sorts to ensure he didn't lose! It was a vintage Festival for Sideways.

Mine was fairly disastrous! Apart from Ted Veale and the calamities of Miss Jane Mangan, I inflicted little damage to the bookies' satchels. There was a brief moment when I threatened to exert pressure. I'd selected Ted Veale, Tennis Cap, Manyriverstocross and Princeton Plains for a combination trifecta (my first of the meeting; rarely used). I'd convinced myself that the trifecta, in a 24-runner handicap, was too optimistic;  conservatism should be the watchword and thus, switched to a combination exacta shortly before the off, fatally omitting Tennis Cap from my deliberations. Those of you who know your onions will know this proved to be an expensive decision. The upshot of all this is that Sideways gets to make a regular contribution to the Racehorsing Man blog. He is welcome on board.

Yet again, Cheltenham Festival form begat Cheltenham Festival form. It's the same every year; at every Cheltenham meeting, throughout every year.

Let's review this year's roll call -

Bobs Worth (Albert Bartlett/RSA Chase winner), Sir Des Champs (Martin Pipe Race/Jewson winner) and Long Run (RSA Chase 3rd/Gold Cup winner/3rd)from the Gold Cup.
Hurricane Fly and Rock On Ruby (both former winners of the Champion Hurdle, winner and 2nd this year); Sprinter Sacre (Arkle), QMCC winner; Sizing Europe (QMCC), 2nd.
Simonsig (Neptune), Arkle winner;
Champagne Fever (Bumper), Supreme Novices' winner.
Cue Card (Bumper winner/Arkle 2nd), Ryanair winner.
Alderwood (County Hurdle), Grand Annual winner Salsify (Foxhunters), followed up this year.
First Lieutenant (Neptune winner/RSA Chase 2nd), Ryanair 2nd
Quevega (Mares' Hurdle nap hand) Hunt Ball (handicap winner), placed in the Byrne Group Plate
Our Mick, twice placed in the Festival Handicap Chase
Countrywide Flame (Triumph), 3rd in the Champion Hurdle
Smad Place (World Hurdle placed twice)
Celestial Halo (Triumph) World Hurdle 2nd in the World Hurdle
Alfie Sherrin (Festival Handicap Chase) 4th in the Kim Muir
Oiseau De Nuit (Grand Annual winner and 3rd)

That's just this year's...

So, grab your crystal ball and look forward to Festival 2014. pretty much all of the above have to be considered again but also expect to see,
Any number of the Bumper first 10 competitive in the novice hurdles over 2 miles, 2 and a half miles and 3 miles but especially the first home, Briar Hill. (The New One was 6th last year).
Rule the World/Pont Alexandre in the Arkle/RSA
Our Conor shaped like the best Triumph Hurdle winner we've seen for some time; a likely type to return for the Champion Hurdle/Supreme.
The New One/My Tent Or Yours in the Champion Hurdle.
Simonsig/Beneficient in the QMCC.
At Fishers Cross in the World Hurdle.
Those that were close up in the Festival Handicap Chase repeating the dose next year.

The Kim Muir has a good record, as one might imagine, of producing Grand National aspirants for future years - Donald McCain's Ballabriggs and Cloudy Lane readily spring to mind - Sunnyhillboy, Mon Mome and  Character Building are others.

Same Difference looks a proper stayer with a touch of class. It won't take too much improvement for him to be a proper contender; expect to see his name among the favourites  next year although, aged 8, it will probably be a tad premature. Other big prizes can come his way. He is though already rated 137; that is likely to rise following his Festival exploits. The yard knows how to ready one for the ultimate staying handicap.

What a chasing prospect O'Faolains Boy looked in the the Potato Race (Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle), leading his stablemate (At Fishers Cross) for much of the contest until coming under pressure only when the taps were turned on. A son of Oscar out of a Glacial Storm mare; it's a likely pedigree to produce a top staying chaser of the future.

Most of Willie Mullins' 34-strong raiding party performed creditably (notable exception Abbey Lane, eh Sideways!) and one to be keen on next season is Un Atout who raced prominently in the Supreme until giving way to the classier, speedier types and probably lack of experience. He is top of my Arkle list for next season and will definitely stay further - a key attribute for any Arkle winner.

Another is Briar Hill who was the least heralded of the Mullins trio in the Bumper (see earlier). Many questioned how a Mullins-Walsh combination could possibly have come under starter's orders at the tasty odds of 25/1. Neither trainer nor jockey genuinely appeared confident on the morning line (phrase, not the programme!) and Patrick (Mullins - trainer's son) and Andrew Lynch (owner's retained) had first pick with Union Dues and Sizing Tennessee respectively.
Something told me though that the Master of Bagenalstown has his eye on the future with this one and next year's Neptune (maybe Supreme - mustn't fall into Champagne Fever trap - note to self!) will almost certainly be high on the agenda.

Finally, I'm expecting great things from Chatterbox next season. Nicky Henderson's fine hurdler was constantly spoken of in glowing terms on the Festival Preview circuit but seemed a doubtful runner; the stable spokespersons suggesting he was too much of a baby to handle the hullaballoo of the carnival. A pleasing gallop convinced the team otherwise. He beat My Tent or Yours (admittedly on bad ground!) earlier in the season. Expect this son of Poliglote to improve markedly for the experience.

Regards,

Racehorsing Man