Sunshine Returns

Koi Dodville runs in the Triumph Hurdle Today

After a very wet Wednesday it was nice the sunshine returned yesterday and we had some lovely spring weather to be able to enjoy the Cheltenham action with.  What a dramatic start to preceding's in the opening race on the card when Galopin Des Champs was a final fences faller with victory in his grasp.  It was such a shame as he appeared to jump the fence perfectly but just failed to get out his landing gear and crumpled to the ground to leave a very weary Bob Ollinger to pick up the pieces.  I was a little worried Galopin Des Champs was lame as well but thankfully it was just the rein caught around his leg and he appeared none the worse for his tumble.  Paul Townend must have been gutted but it is the sign of a good sports person that they can get straight back out their and concentrate on their next task.  He gave Allaho a super ride and he was the impressive winner of the Ryanair chase for the second year in a row.  Perhaps the ride of the day however has to go the Danny Mullins for his ride on Flooring Porter to win back to back World hurdles.  This horse does not look an easy ride but he judged the race to perfection.

It is a very foggy start to the day at Pond House this morning but the sun is trying to break through and it looks set to be another fine day.  It is of course Gold Cup today and all eyes will be tuned to the big race at 3.30pm.  Everyone at Pond House seems to be siding with Galvin for this one and it would be terrific for his owner Ronnie Bartlett should he be able to win.  We are lucky enough to receive a crate of Albert Bartlett potatoes here each Christmas and I highly recommend them have you not ever tried them!

We have three runners today spread across three meetings.  It was an early start for travelling head lad Bob who is on his way to Fakenham with Ashley Farrant and Via Dolorosa.  Our eleven year old won last time out at Southwell and runs here with a seven pound penalty which is negated by Philip Armson's claim.  I think the track will suit our front runner and hopefully he can go well again.  There may be only five runners and it looks pretty competitive but he is in good form at home and still looks quite well in at the weights.

The second lorry to leave the yard this morning was headed to Doncaster with Gerry Supple and Olympe De Gouge on board.  She runs in the 2.40pm at Doncaster, a juvenile mares maiden hurdle.  There are only five runners but on ratings she looks to have it to do but she can be forgiven her latest run on soft ground at Taunton which she hated.  David Noonan rides, she will prefer the better ground and there is some good prize money on offer so we are trying to grab as much of the pot as we can!

The final lorry to set off this morning, even though it was still early, is on its way to Cheltenham with Triump runner Koi Dodville on board.  He is one of the outsiders in the race and does look to have it all to do but our dual hurdles winner can hopefully do himself justice.  He did not enjoy the ground last time at Haydock but this should be more to his liking today and Tom Scu is on board.  It is great to have the black and white colours of his owner, Stuart Mercer out representing us today.  The Irish look to dominate the Triumph hurdle with the fancied horses and if I was to pick an outside horse in this race I would probably go with Pied Piper although Vauban looks very nice as well.

In other races I have gone with State Man in the County, I really like Hillcrest in the Albert Bartlett novices hurdle and I think Bob and Co should run well in the Hunters Chase.  As always there is such a big build up to these events and within a flash it is nearly all over!  Enjoy the final day everyone wherever you are watching.