subject: Cheltenham Festival Flashbacks [print this page] Cheltenham Festival Flashbacks Cheltenham Festival Flashbacks
Finding a winner at the Cheltenham Festival is as difficult as it comes. It is only when you have a winner during the magical four days that you realise you must savour that special moment for as long as possible. Last year, I was sure I was going to do just that.
I'm not much of Cheltenham Festival ante-post betting fan but I couldn't keep my hands off a decent price for an intriguing runner in the Grade 3 Coral Cup over 2m 4f, which took place on the second day of the Festival.
The horse in question was appropriately named and had the form in the book - Wishfull Thinking.
He first caught my eye with the way he battled to a modest win at Taunton in January, his third win from four starts. He was certainly progressive and the way he jumped, stayed and travelled marked him down as one to keep an eye on.
He couldn't have been more impressive on his next outing, when he absolutely hacked up by 19 lengths at Exeter in February, defying a double penalty to notch his third success over hurdles.
When the entries came out for Cheltenham, I noticed that trainer Philip Hobbs had him entered in the Grade 1 Neptune Investments Management Novices' Hurdle (2m 5f), as well as the Coral Cup on the same day. The Neptune is a better quality race than the Coral Cup and the fact that Wishfull Thinking had been entered in it showed the regard in which Hobbs held him in.
His easy win at Exeter did not go unnoticed by the handicapper and he was upped 18lbs in the weights, leaving him with a mark of 144 and a nice weight of 11st 2lb in the Coral Cup.
Hobbs opted to take his novice down the handicap route, going for the Coral Cup instead of the Neptune and had booked promising conditional Giles Hawkins to take the ride. Everything was in place for a big run from Wishfull Thinking.
Having snapped up some each-way prices at 16-1 and 12-1, I was confident of getting a return, even if he had to beat a 28-strong field. I told every man and his dog that this was my banker of the meeting. Dunguib who?
Hawkins had Wishfull Thinking settled in mid-division before making stealthy headway on the final circuit. He was urged along for a few strides coming down the hill but he was soon back on the bridle and travelling strongly behind the leading pack with only two hurdles left to jump.
I was getting more and more animated as I watched from afar in the packed stands, and, as he cruised into third place, I couldn't help but think he looked the most likely winner.
Then it went horribly wrong. As Wishfull Thinking popped over the second-last, he stumbled on landing and took a crashing fall, sending Giles Hawkins to the ground. I was gutted.
Nicky Henderson's Spirit River went on to win by four lengths. I remain convinced to this day that if Wishfull Thinking had stood up he would have had the measure of the winner.
