20th March 2022

Cheltenham has come and gone for another year, it did not disappoint, the racing was extraordinarily good. The 5mm of water added to parts of the course on Tuesday night had no impact on Wednesdays ground. Those who wish to claim it did used it as a convenient excuse to take their ball home. I didn’t hear Willie Mullins or Nicky Henderson complaining. I was watching the weather forecasts as closely and anyone else. At no point did I see any forecast that suggested the rain would arrive in the torrents we all witnessed.

Our trade paper lead with a headline about the cost of food and drink at the festival. Yes, it was expensive but it didn’t stop people queuing for 40 minutes to pay for it. Those that queued for 40 minutes had no interest in the racing and went there for the beer. I can only imagine that the journalists who wrote it has never attended any other major sporting events. Had they of done so they would have been able to portray the Cheltenham festival in a similar light rather than slagging it for a cheap headline. They may also have benefited from seeing the hoards of staff that are employed to serve it. It is not just the beer that one is buying. The same journalist will be the one writing and complaining about minimum wages next.  I guess selling papers is their job but it angers me that they are persistent in kicking the sport that feeds them with articles that lack detail or explanation of why the cost of food and drink is so expensive. I have no doubt that the festival will move to five days, it is a business for many and making money is the aim in business.

The horses remain in good form, today Thomas Patrick and Scipion head to Chepstow. To read my thoughts click here.