Cheltenham Festival: best bits
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Memorable results of the week
We may have lost a couple of big horses in the run up, but this year’s Cheltenham Festival was billed as the best yet, and it more than lived up to the billing. There were big price upsets on a daily basis, nailed on certainties coming to nothing, and a late surge from Mullins and Walsh to save the day for punters.
Who was your best winner of the festival? Feel free to let us know how you got on in the comments section below. We have narrowed it down to our five favourite moments of the week, which was no mean feat. Read on to see who made the list…..
Might Bite wins, despite best efforts
Henderson’s winner looked home and hosed in the closing stages, but almost threw the race away. Might Bite owed half the winner’s pot to the loose horse, which gave him something to aim at. Gripping stuff.
Apple’s Jade upsets VVM and Limini
I must admit I didn’t give the winner a chance, and most expected the Mullins pair Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini to fight it out for the major places. Apple’s Jade had other ideas, scoring at SP 7/2.
It’s a double on the day for Gordon Elliott as the Mares’ Hurdle goes to Apple’s Jade with Bryan Cooper on top! pic.twitter.com/uhv0Jq4PiN
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 14, 2017
Mullins and Walsh finally get going with Yorkhill
6/4 SP jolly Yorkhill made it a great start to Thursday for favourite backers by doing what was expected in the JLT Novices Chase. It opened the floodgates for Mullins and Walsh to start doing what they do best.
A huge relief for favourite backers and Willie Mullins fans as Ruby Walsh cajoles Yorkhill to victory in the JLT pic.twitter.com/p0YVZlxNOb
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 16, 2017
Arctic Fire wins in a blanket finish
More joy for Team Mullins, and backers were given a white knuckle ride as Arctic Fire edged out L’Ami Serge and Ozzie The Oscar. The SP of the first three was 20/1-25/1-50/1. That race alone summed up what’s great about the festival.
Great Second race of the day as 20/1 Arctic Fire wins ahead of LAmi Serge 25/1 and Ozzie The Oscar 50/1 in third
Reaction now on TV3 pic.twitter.com/JS2jQS8Mu9— TV3 (@TV3Ireland) March 17, 2017
Sizing John takes the Gold Cup
There was no fairytale ending for Cue Card as he, again, fell in the Gold Cup, although this year he was looking well beat. Sizing John got up in a cracking finish to a wonderful race.
