Dave Edwards (Topspeed) is always a journalist worth reading and not just for his speed figures. When he gets stuck into racing's wider issues he usually has an interesting insight.
In today's Weekender, he has a swipe at Cheltenham and how the festival dominates the entire NH season, finishing with a (toungue in cheek)'Roll On The Craven!'
He's probably right re Cheltenham but is that a bad thing?
For me, it's this whole whittling away at every race from October onwards and assessing it's worth re the protagonists chances at The Festival that makes the Winter Game what it is. Look at us all! Grown men taking entrenched positions about animals we totally care about, mither over and generally act the maggot about for the next 5 months, until the anticipation is uncorked and the passion is released at Prestbury Park in mid-March.
Some will say that AIntree and Punchestown are worth something - but we know better don't we boys?
Anyone (even tongue in cheek!) who says roll on the Craven at this moment must be ... well, probably taking the pi$$ ! Sorry to be crude.
Look at what is coming up - and yes, this points to Cheltenham, but we should also enjoy it for what it is!
Wincanton, Hereford monday (some crack novice prospects entered), Bangor, good entries next week, Cheltenham, Ascot and Haydock, Newbury, Newcastle, Sandown, Cheltenham, Newbury, Ascot, Kempton, Welsh National, Newbury, new yrs day at Cheltenham. Plus, tonnes of smaller meetings with terrific horses making their chase, hurdle novice debuts and bumper reappearances. Plus the Irish racing.
I love Cheltenham, but the run from Chepstow to New Yrs - it feels like christmas every day!Yes, Cheltenham is a magnet and pulls our attention, but the NH season is not all about it.
Anyone (even tongue in cheek!) who says roll on the Craven at this moment must be ... well, probably taking the pi$$ ! Sorry to be crude. Look at what is coming up - and yes, this points to Cheltenham, but we should also enjoy it for what it is! Winc