Nothing quite like Cheltenham
Think of the great sporting occasions which take place on our planet, such as the soccer World Cup or the Olympics.
Think of an all-Ireland hurling or football final, even the eagerly awaited Warren Gatland-Eddie O’Sullivan crossing of swords when Ireland and Wales go toe-to-toe in rugby this weekend.
All these events enjoy major build-ups, but none of them on anything like the same scale as Cheltenham.
The lead-in to the Festival simply goes on for weeks and weeks, all over Britain and Ireland. I have never been able to understand the attraction these preview-nights hold for the public, but the facts are that they are almost frighteningly popular.
A week ago went to Waterford city, couldn’t say no to Brian Gleeson, and the Woodlands Park Hotel was packed.
Mind you they did unveil John Francome, who must be about the most entertaining guy you could have on any panel.
Toss in Davy Russell, refreshingly opinionated, and handicapper Noel O’Brien, who never shirks an issue, and you had a proper concoction.
Monday night it was Silver Springs in Cork and Cashmans’ evening. If there was a huge crowd in Waterford, then this was even bigger.
These were the only two I attended, but from what I can gather Waterford and Cork was repeated all over the place, although perhaps not on the same scale at most venues.
The bottom line, though, is that many thousands made their way to these preview-nights over a number of weeks and it has to be regarded as the most extraordinary preparation for any sporting event.
As well as the nights, some of this week has been dedicated to talking to various people and it’s mildly informative what you pick up along the way.
So what have we learned? Well, for one thing that Francome has a fund of stories, highly amusing and delivered with impeccable timing.
We discovered as well that Conor O’Dwyer will be riding at the Cheltenham Festival for the last time.
He’s going to retire at some stage in the near future, you suspect it could be next week if lucky enough to ride a winner, as he begins to concentrate full-time on a burgeoning training career.
We have also heard reports about some spectacular work by Champion Hurdle outsider, De Valira. Chances are he won’t face the hill again, he was only 10th to Ebaziyan in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle a year ago, but there are one or two shrewdies who clearly want him on their side.
We also know, from Cashmans on Monday night, that Ruby Walsh is rather confident about the prospects of Noland in the Akle.
Ruby is also going to partner Rippling Ring for Paul Nicholls in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and it is virtually certain to be Master Minded for him in the Champion Chase.
Oh and Ruby’s father, Ted, has a live outsider for the Bumper in a horse called Genuine Pearl.
He got the dual winner when Mickey Flynn retired. Ted tells me, and I quote, that Tony McCoy will ride, “if he is available, alive and well.”
What else do we think we know? Well, that Sizing Europe is a completely ridiculous price at around 2-1 for the Champion Hurdle.
No one is a bigger admirer of the horse, no one has waffled more about him, but here’s one who will now be surprised if he isn’t a better price than that on the day.
Inglis Drever continues to be tight, odds-on there for a while, no wonder they can report massive profits, for the World Hurdle.
Don’t take the slightest notice of the off-course layers. Howard Johnson’s horses are struggling at the moment and Inglis Drever could be a big drifter on the day.
And what about Noel Meade’s charges, who are back flying again? He’s been a brilliant trainer for so many years, except at Cheltenham. Could the enforced lay-offs many of his horses have ‘enjoyed’ actually now work in their favour?
Our ears have been cocked for weeks and the talking is almost over. To what extent can we now put it all together? Time can only reveal that, although we’re not holding our breath. But let’s keep this in perspective and remember that backing a 2-1 winner at Cheltenham will reap the exact same dividend as a 2-1 success at say Tramore. And you can be guaranteed the Tramore race will a long way less competitive.
