Countdown to Cheltenham Open Meeting 2009
I always associate the Charlie Hall Chase Meeting at Wetherby as the start of the National Hunt season “proper”. Last Saturday’s race had a poor turn out for a £100,000 race, trainers no doubt concerned about the safety of the ground. As it happened the race provided a super finish between Deep Purple, Tamarinbleu and Ollie Magern, Deep Purple just getting up on the line.
Fair Along (pictured) won the John Smith’s West Yorkshire long distance hurdle rather easily. He goes very well for young jockey Rhys Flint, who, according to the essay in Timeforms’ Chasers & Hurdlers has been associated with the horse since he was thirteen. Fair Along disappointed in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket so denying the blogger of a 1-2-3 ! The trainers wife, Sarah Hobbs, stated that he had lost ground at the start and consequently sulked.
The Cheltenham 3 day Open Meeting on the 13th, 14th,and 15th November whets our appetites for the Festival next year. The main race will be the Paddy Power Gold Cup Steeplechase which takes place on the Saturday. A two and a half miles handicap, the race will be worth £150,000. The weights are yet to be published but I am hoping last years second, Barbers Shop, puts in an appearance.
On the Sunday the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, worth £100,000 will be the feature race.
For all the up to date news from the course click on Cheltenham.
For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".