Where will the largest domestic audience be for a sporting event on Saturday? Answer: Cheltenham Racecourse. A crowd of over 30,000 is expected for Paddy Power Gold Cup Day and, my, are they going to be entertained.
The Premier League’s break for internationals gives other sports a chance to catch their breath. There’s an excellent Women’s Super League fixture and some intriguing rugby matches, but there’s no comparison to the excitement and drama we’ll see at Prestbury Park this weekend.
Anyone who says the Cheltenham Festival is overshadowing the National Hunt season would be wise to come and experience the excitement we will see – what a clash we have tomorrow with Jonbon, Edwardstone and Nube Negra – to realize that there so many more than four days are in March.
This is simply jump racing at its best: the point where the winter game really gets on fire. Forget next spring. Marvel at a race that traditionalists will remember was once called the Mackeson Gold Cup – a race that creates legends and stirs the soul.
My highlight came in the 1995 extra time, won by my all-time favorite racehorse Dublin Flyer. How much do I love him? When I tell you that the only picture I have of a horse on the wall at home is his, you’ll see what I mean. Thank God, what a hero he was. He carried a huge weight that day, cleared his fences like an Olympic high jumper and then showed the heart of a lion to run past Egypt Mill Prince and move ahead just short of the post. He was top class and I suspect today’s winner will embody the pioneering qualities of Dublin Flyer.
Cheltenham Racecourse will host a crowd of more than 30,000 for Gold Cup Day on Saturday
Gold Cup Day can create legends and stir the soul as the winter racing season gets underway
The Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon is one to look out for as the festival gets underway
The headline acts are two Cheltenham Festival-winning Grade One novice chasers from last season: The Real Whacker (Brown Advisory) and Stage Star (Turners) now stepping into the big league. Both have colorful owners that match the feathers in their heels.
David Mann is co-owner of The Real Whacker, and horse and owner won’t be hard to spot in bright red and white, David complete with bow tie. On New Year’s Day this year he finished his shift at his nightclub in Limerick, drove to Dublin in the early hours and then boarded the first flight to Bristol.
Still, the mission was not over. He hired a car, drove to Cheltenham and roared himself hoarse as The Real Whacker, trained by Patrick Neville, galloped and jumped wonderfully. If he wins topweight today, he will be a real Gold Cup contender come March.
Stage Star, on the other hand, is owned by thousands of people in the Owners Group, many of whom will be heading to Cheltenham to show how much fun you can have in the sport for around £60 a year. If he builds a rhythm early, he’ll have to do some catching.
Paul Nicholls also runs Il Ridoto, ridden by 17-year-old Freddie Gingell at the end of a week in which he passed his driving test and won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on Elixir De Nutz, a victory he celebrated by watching the heaven to remember his mother Kim, who died three years ago.
What emotions would be unleashed if Il Ridoto won and he had strong claims? I do wonder, however, whether the frantic gallop that The Real Whacker and Stage Star will set can take something out of the pace and whether Harper’s Brook – talented but with his quirks – might fit into that picture.
However, one thing is certain: this sporting event deserves a big crowd and as many eyes on it as possible. Forget next spring: Cheltenham today is all that matters. Memories are made here.
Graham Lee is in intensive care with a neck injury after being sacked by Newcastle on Friday
Looking back at the list of winners of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, my eye immediately fell on 2007: L’Antartique, ridden by Graham Lee. I remember the race vividly and seeing him have another great ride.
When you think about that, it becomes all the more difficult to understand what happened in Newcastle, where Graham suffered a horrific fall that left him in a critical condition with life-changing injuries.
Today will be difficult for Anthony McCoy, who rode against Graham many times at Cheltenham and has been at his great friend’s bedside this week. As Vice Chairman of the Injured Jockeys Fund, I would like to echo what our President and Vice President, Anthony and Jack Berry, said this week: ‘Rest assured, our team at the IJF will meet his needs to help him make his recovery as long as necessary.’
Whatever help his family needs, we will be there to provide it. Please keep Graham and his family in your thoughts as you enjoy the racing.
Ed Chamberlin is an ambassador for SkyBet UK