Fantastic Gold Cup

   Heure De Gloire runs at Fontwell Today

What a final day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, an epic Gold Cup with the King George winner and the Irish Gold Cup winner jumping the last fence upsides before the mighty Galopin Des Champs pulled clear of a brave Bravemansgame.  It was a true run race and a few fallers with a bit of drama but thankfully all horses returned home safe and sound.  Galopin Des Champs is a seven year old who will be around for many years to come and he is now six wins from seven starts over fences, his only blemish when falling at the last when in command at last season’s Cheltenham Festival.  He looks an amazing talent and it was a scintillating performance and once again racing is the real winner.

Thomas Mor ran a cracking race in the Albert Bartlett novices hurdle to finish sixth under Adam Wedge.  Up in the front rank throughout he travelled and jumped very well and still held every chance as they jumped the second last.  A few just quickened past him as they approached the last hurdle but get kept galloping valiantly up the hill and was beaten under seven lengths in the end.  He handled the ground well with which we had a little concern about beforehand and he will be a very exciting chaser next season.  I am not sure of immediate plans for him but he seems fine this morning which is the main thing and I am sure he is likely to run again as he will enjoy the proper spring ground in the next couple of months.

Today we have three runners across two meetings, Uttoxeter and Fontwell.  D’jango runs in the Midlands National at 3.00pm.  He races from a fair bit out of the weights in a tough race but we decided to let him take his chance when the field did not reach its maximum numbers.  He will love the extreme test of stamina and just needs to get into a good rhythm early and see what happens.  Sean Houlihan rides.

King Turgeon and Heure De Gloire both run at Fontwell with Tom Bellamy in the saddle.  King Turgeon runs in the 2.35pm handicap chase over 2m5f.  He disappointed on stable debut at Exeter but does have some good placed form in France and we have given him a wind operation since his British debut.  If that has the desired effect I expect a much better performance this afternoon.  Heure De Gloire runs in the 2m1f handicap hurdle and shares favouritism in this race with the Harry Fry trained runner.  She has been in good form this season, running very consistently and getting a deserved victory last time at Leicester.  The handicapper has put her up seven pounds for that win but I think she should be able to cope with that.  She has had a little break since then and runs well fresh and will like the testing conditions.  I think she has a good chance.

There is also jumps racing at Kempton and Newcastle today, in Ireland at Thurles and on the flat at Wolverhampton. While Cheltenham maybe over the racing keeps coming thick and fast with plenty of good quality races to keep us entertained.  With all the racing going on I haven’t even mentioned much about the other sports going on this week but we do have plenty of football and Six Nations rugby as well today.  There is a bit of rivalry in the yard between the English and Irish but I have a feeling, like at Cheltenham, the Irish may put us in our place in the rugby this afternoon!  Have a good Saturday everyone.