Greatest Cheltenham memories!!

One Man's Champion Chase win

Master Minded's first Champion Chase win

Istabraq's demolition job in the Champion Hurdle

Long Run, Kauto Star and Denman giving everyone the race they wanted from 2 out in the Gold Cup

Standing next to one of Anzum's owners as the horse came from somewhere near Stow-on-the-Wold to win the Stayers Hurdle, as the guy next to me went quietly mental.

Winning more than I've ever done in a race in my life on Andreas in the Grand Annual.....then eclipsing it thirty minutes later on Pedrobob in the County Hurdle.

The brilliant festival it turned into the year the Wednesday was 'winded off'. A great start, a rest day to go out and make merry in Cheltenham with thousands of people who were all suddenly your best friend in the world, then 2 days of wall-to-wall racing! Cocking brilliant!

Hundreds of other cameos surrounding people I've met and had brief conversations with, shot some sh1t together for a few minutes, grinning like a pair of schoolkids on the wag from 'the real world' then off forever with a 'be lucky!'

Just watched it on you tube

Small field but a great finish and some very interesting camera angles

L'Antartique first race on the Thursday first time I went. Cue Card's Bumper. Pigeon Island winning the Grand Annual when I was on at 40s. Long Run's Gold Cup so many...

Winner = Hardy Eustace's second Champion. If anyone has a video of that I'd love to see it.

I was on Andreas and Pedrobob as well

Great stuff Roger, excitement builds merely reading post.
So many fantastic memories (and a lot of painfull ones) but the one that sticks in my mind is Kings's Curate winning the Stayers Hurdle in 1991.
I Had my biggest ever bet on it at the time, remember waiting outside the bookies at opening time so I could get the 5/1 that was on offer, returned at 5/2 fav I think (rule 4).
From feeling totally hacked off down the back straight for the 2nd time when the horse looked more likely to be pulled up it then proceeded to make the most incredible amount of ground to hit the front on the run in and then almost got worried out in the dying strides by Run For Free - oh happy days. Never seen a race like it - look it up on You Tube

marychain1 Joined: 05 Apr 05
Replies: 20480 28 Jan 14 20:22   

I was on Andreas and Pedrobob as well

my first ever festival day,the thinkers gold cup 1987 hooked for ever after that.
any body remember watching half free beat western sunset in the cathcart,run in almost total darkness.
home counties coming out the clouds to win the county hurdle.
being sat in the stand waiting for carberry to let the hand brake off harchibald.
and another more recent carberry moment watching him cut through the field on bellvano to win the grand annual,nice way to finish that years festival.
but above all the feeling of arriving every champion hurdle morning at the course with 4 great days in front of you.

Lovely stuff above from Roger. That's what it's all about. I've had dozens of memorable winners and losers, but it was one of the losers that gave me the best buzz. Marychain has mentioned the race. I had €500 on Harchibald at 7/1, and my eyes were glued to him all the way round as he jumped and travelled like a dream and cruised up to Hardy at the last with Carberry motionless. I was king of the world for a few moments, but we know what happened next.

I could sit and talk for hours and hours about my love for Cheltenham, too many great memories.

Saritamer I remember Kings Curate very well it was almost Arazi like.

Financially I think its Oulart, Cool Dawn,and Newmill.

The Dickinson 5. Remittance Man, Mac Vidi, Forgive n Forget, Celtic Shot.

That Monday night is like Christmas Eve

Sorry to hijack the tread and after I've said this I'll shut up.

There are so many great Cheltenham memories and times to be had but I can't help but feel they are cheapened by playing on easy emotions and commerciality such as the plethora of Preview Nights and the number of people who post stuff like 'only xxxx days ( and then hours and minutes if they're really sad)'.

Why does this spin my wheels so much?

Because for me it's enough just to let the Festival be. The greatest horses, the fiercest punters, us against 'them' - the rest of the world stuck in their offices who haven't got the first clue about what we're on about!

But if all you've got to offer is a countdown clock and some talking heads recycling wisdom you can get here (and better expressed and argued too) for £10 a pop and more, then include me out.

Okay...whatever....go with your bad selves and get what you want from it. Just a shame it's so little for some people.

Just my 2 Euros.

spot on Roger, only got into national hunt racing about 12 yrs ago, had a few mates who were obsessed so thought I'd see what all the fuss was about and boy am I glad I did! The fez is of the great sporting occasions...my personal fav memories in that 12 yr period would have to be Hardy/Harchi/Brave Inca locked in combat, Moscow Flyer regaining his champion chase crown, Hurricane Fly in 2011 & 2013, Denman & Kauto in 2008 cant remember a race with such a frenzied buildup with the Tank delivering an astonishing performance, Inglis Drevers final world hurdle

Well put Steamship. That Monday before the Festival is basically the equivalent of Christmas Eve when Santa still existed!

Yaeh the whole of that Monday is probably the best of the week in a wierd way!

You've got the winner of every race, that life-changing acca is still live, your in control and all things are possible.

Then hope ends and experience (but what experience!) starts......

I started folowing racing age about 8 Im now 45 and from I think 1979 I never missed acheltenham albeit on TV but I would play truant from school, when I first started working I would put that week in march down straight away for holidays. I would never do that for a flat race.

I agree roger and what I dont like is the bookies offering CHdl prices for the following season after the Supreme. We live in a society that struggles to enjoy the moment and this is clear throughout the NH season.

Another fond memory was 1977 and the champion hurdle.
Night Nurse vs Monksfield.
One of those races you just had to see live.

I was working as a driver/minder for Glenn Frey, from the American band The Eagles.
He was touring England with his band. Glenn loved horse racing but being an American was much more a flat fan.
I persuaded him to phone in sick and miss rehearsals so we could go to Cheltenham and watch the two greatest hurdlers.
He loved the experience and has been to the festival many times since.

Another fond memory was 1977 and the champion hurdle.
Night Nurse vs Monksfield.
One of those races you just had to see live.

I was working as a driver/minder for Glenn Frey, from the American band The Eagles.
He was touring England with his band. Glenn loved horse racing but being an American was much more a flat fan.
I persuaded him to phone in sick and miss rehearsals so we could go to Cheltenham and watch the two greatest hurdlers.
He loved the experience and has been to the festival many times since.

Brilliant stuff brandy!

It's great when you introduce a total newbie to the Cheltenham experience and see the lights switch on behind their eyes when they 'get it'.

I was working on a building site in March 1994. In a hut with a few Irish lads I mentioned I was going to Cheltenham. “As we’re drinking coffee, you might want to look out for Chance Coffey,” one of them said. “Isn’t that right?” he added, turning to his mate. I always remember that bloke keeping his head down over his mug and saying nothing. I backed Chance Coffey each- way in the Coral Cup and he finished a nice third, nine and a half lengths behind Time For A Run who was given the legendary ‘balls of steel’ ride by Charlie Swan.
Back then it wasn’t as easy to keep track of Irish horses’ careers from England and I forgot all about him until February 1995 when I happened to see the result of the Boyne Hurdle in the Weekender. There was Chance Coffey staying on to finish ten lengths behind the wonderful Dorans Pride who went on to win that year’s Stayers’ hurdle on the bridle. More interestingly, he was only five lengths behind Time For A Run off levels – a full 21lb worse off compared to their Cheltenham meeting. Improvement!
When the weights for the Coral Cup were published Time For A Run was set to concede him an astounding 26lb. What was the handicapper on? Chance Coffey? I got on as much as I could at 33/1 before panicking a bit when it dawned on me he’d stayed at that price because his rating was so low that there was a strong possibility he wouldn’t get in. I was comforted to read that the astute trainer, Mr. P.F O’Donnell was barrowing his savings into the bookies. Of course he got in, carrying 10 stone (2lb overweight) with Time For A Run topweight off 11-10.
The race itself was like a dream. Held up, the grey horse with jockey in blue and white quartered colours stuck to the tail of the main bunch as tired horses dropped away, until the top of the hill where he started making his ground. He came down the hill in a canter and got a beautiful run on the inside before he was able to saunter up to the finish saying cheese for the cameras with Time For a Run a commendable third.  In the winner’s enclosure O’Donnell said it was the culmination of all his dreams, hopes and aspirations and I couldn’t top that.
I still have the cutting from the following day’s Sporting Life in which the winning jockey, Gerry O’Neill said “If you thought that was good, look out for Imperial Call next year.” I did, but that’s another story.

my fav as well that chance coffey^...lovely ride from the young lad

I live for threads like this!!

Yes Harry, next season poor Gerry was jocked off Imperial Call after he fell at the first at Punchestown as the horse continued over the course boundary and scattered the sheep in an adjacent field. It must have been a bitter sweet moment for him to watch his Gold Cup prediction play out over the rest of the season. When I collected my winnings my bookie asked me how on earth I'd found the 9/2 second favourite at 40/1. It was all down to Gerry. I hope the guy's well.

I hope the guy's well.


i sure you do autocue

i'd have his picture on my wall

It was 2003 and I'd become obsessed with NH racing. All winter I'd had a great time backing the likes of Moscow Flyer and Best Mate win a few races. For Christmas my sister got me and my old man 2 tattersalls tickets for Gold cup day. I was delirious with excitement. As Winter drew to a close and the Daffodils started flowering I found myself almost unable to think straight. Sadly for me I was sitting my A levels that year. My parents said I could miss school on Gold cup day so long as I attended every other day. Impossible. I was most certainly not sitting in class studying tectonic plate movement whilst Moscow Flyer was running in the Champion chase.

The Tuesday arrived. At midday I found myself in class. 2 hours time the tapes would be going up for the supreme novices hurdle. Panic gripped me. What the Hell am I doing here? I had to escape. I had no time for a clever plan so I waited for my teacher to turn his back and I ran like Usain Bolt out of the classroom. I was not capable of coherent thought at this stage so I just carried on running until I got to the bus stop. I hopped on the bus with the self satisfied look that an escapee from a maximum security prison would have had. I arrived home just in time to see Back in front hose up in the first. Azertyuiop romper home in the Arkle and Rooster Booster was imperious in the big race.

Wednesday I got some sensational news. A text message from my mate saying my only class of the day was cancelled. My prayers had been answered. Dad suggested we drive to Cheltenham straight away and watch the racing in a pub. I could only nod by head in agreement. I used dads mobile on the drive down to place a cheeky fiver each way on young Spartacus in the mildmay of fleet at 20/1. Wednesday was Moscow Flyer day. My then favourite horse. He won. That Henry Daly beast in the mildmay also won! I was headed into Gold cup day in great spirits. We stayed at my sisters and I nipped out for a takeaway. Whilst waiting for the food I got chatting with a rather drunken Irishman. ' I fancy Best mate but he's not much of a price' I said. His reply was simple yet effective. ' Listen. Phukk value. Get yourself a winner'. We shook hands and wished each other well.

I woke up at 6am. A time of day I hadn't seen since childhood. Got my placepots on and did a mug ten pound treble on Baracouda, Best mate and my favourite horse Spirit leader in the county hurdle. She was a tiny little thing but had won the ladbroke hurdle and the tote gold trophy at big prices. She owed me nothing and I was definitely backing her especially as the man Geraghty was on her and riding out of his skin. Barracouda won one of the best races I've seen. Best mate made his gold cup rivals look like cart horses and my favourite horse won the county hurdle and in the process made me feel like I'd just won the lottery. I have been back every year since. Sadly have never replicated the first years punting success ( everything I backed won or so it felt like!). A truly special place.

You might not have replicated it but at least you can still re-live it. Here's to happy days.

Lots down the years. My first day at a Festival was when Salmon Spray won the CH. It was foul weather and 2 white faced chestnut horses emerged from the murk with SS dwarfed by Flyingbolt but still beat him. The difference in style between John Haine and Pat Taaffe made them seem even more different in size.

The other red letter days were Collier Bay in the CH and Best Mate's third Gold Cup.

Was there for Best Mate's first 2 gold cups. Couldn't back a winner the first year (Had Like A Butterfly in the opener then backed 9 seconds) Second year couldn't stop backing winners including a decent bet on Inching Closer in the Pertemps I think (Beat Royal Emperor by the tiniest of margins).

Greatest sporting event I've ever been to and hopefully will return one day when the wallet allows it

Like so many too many to mention. A few special memories regarding the bumper. First one was backing Data Star in the early nineties. I recall we'd all had a pretty good day and were all convinced it couldn't lose. In those days it was always the last race on the Wednesday and before the old tatts stand was knocked down. I'd been separated from my mates the race before but was still in the ring. and I had pretty much every penny I had at 5 and 9/2.

I watched the race on my own and roared it home and left the course feeling pretty smug. Met the lads in the car park who were all ashen. I couldn't understand why until they told me that they couldn't get down the shute between the new and old stands to get a bet on as it was that busy. Pre-mobile phone days. Got back home and bought them all a curry to cheer them up.

The other 2 were sadly close up seconds. The infamous Rhinestone Cowboy / Pizarro race where there was uproar after the stewards enquiry.  The other was Pressgang who should have won too but drifted right across the track giving lengths away and got beat by Hairy Molly. Painful.

Happy days.

I'm a similar era to Mr Eboue, in that I have Moscow Flyer/Well Chief/Azertyuiop and Best Mate to thank for becoming obsessed.

One memory that me and friends still discuss is the 2007 Champion Chase. A few weeks before, I had watched Well Chief return from 18 months off the track to pummel Ashley Brook in the Game Spirit. He couldn't lose in the Champion Chase. Me and my mates were studying our A Levels at the time. I had 'lumped' on at 6/4, and had convinced three mates to do the same, even putting the bet on at the local shop for them. We all gathered at my place to watch the race. Well Chief pinged the second so exuberantly that he went over his shoulders.

That was also the year that I first attended the Festival, having been to the previous day's racing. I had backed Amaretto Rose at 11.5 on here after she won the graded novice hurdle at Haydock, possibly the Rossington Main. She went off a well punted 2/1 fav for the Supreme. When the on-course commentator lit the crowd with a mention of how well Amaretto Rose was going 2 out, that was it - hooked. Win or lose didn't matter any more, that moment was just perfect and will live with me forever.

I liked RTB's comment about the satisfaction of introducing the Festival to a virgin who immediately 'gets it'. I did this for my best friend last year. The only racing knowledge he has are the bits he picks up from me, but it's growing. I convinced him to join me last year, and he joined me both at the Festival, and in punting Champagne Fever for the Supreme. I reckon that's him hooked. In fact, I know it is because he already has his tickets for this year. He turned out to be something of a charm that week, and I like to think he was a critical addition to the mass of Champagne Fever backers' energy that repelled My Tent Or Yours. We went racing Tuesday, returned home for Weds and Thurs and then came back for Gold Cup. The good-thing of the week, Alderwood, made sure we left on a complete high, and it's with real pleasure that I can look back, replay my mate shouting "go on AP!!!" like a maniac as Alderwood jumps the last.

I hope he's as lucky for us this year; he even managed to get Salsify home in front for us when he was never reaching Oscar Delta.

We're baptising another good friend this year

Joist you mention the Chrltenham roar when Amaretto Rose was running in the supreme.

Well let me tell you of the roar that will never be equalled.
The 1989 Gold Cup.

Ran in a bog after snow and rain had fallen.
The "people's" horse Dessie was running over too far a trip on ground he hated.

He was beaten turning for home but from the depths only true champions can go to, he slowly but surely started to get up. He jumped the last a length down and the crowd could see he was going to get up. The was a roar like I have never witnessed. It is a race you can watch every day and still cry.

I was with my good friend Herol Graham, a real NH fan. We were both roaring him despite not backing him. It was a magical day.

I skived school to be home to watch that GC brandy and id saved up a whole 4 weeks paper round money for that day, our local indi would take bets off most  the kids in those days.

Joist your description is why i try and take someone new to it with me every year.My Missus' uncle was all set to come with me this year but has now bailed leaving me to go it alone this time around and it's my 40th on the Weds.I don't mind it at all but to just experience the place with someone is amazing.Im still deffo going as usual,leaving home on the Monday and returning Thursday evening (gold cup day is too rammed now.People who ask me why i get so passionate and excited about it all get the same reply..."until you've been,you just won't understand"

The great thing about The Festival is it brings back so many great memories.  I went every year from 1996-2009 and have missed it like hell ...

Reading this makes it worse - if you know what I mean.  Great thread.

Best laugh was in a quiet country pub where our group of 10 and another two or three smaller groups were packed into a country pub outside Tewksbury - our home for the week exchanging racing stories before the inevitable sing song into the early, early hours.

Best day's racing - probably my very last one when I had three horses going for me to land a 4 horse acc and Oh Crick obliged.  But not really - what really hooked me was that very first year when all of us (bar one of the lads) were on Star Rage in the final race of the meeting - then the County Hurdle.  If I recall correctly there had been a sub plot to get the horse into the race winning on the Monday to get in at the bottom of the handicap at 10 stone. We got to as many Laddies shops in the morning to snap up the 20s available (started at 14s but quite a few of us had a few more sheckles in the ring many again at 20s - how I loved the bookies' chalk and boards).  We were in the cabbage patch (ka Best Mate now) and the horse was going like a dream throughout, pinged the last and stormed up the Hill ..... with nine of us going crazy in the ring along with many other fortunates.

One final point - I love Mark Johnson's on course commenataries.  His tempo is always right building up to the crescendo of the Hill.  We are blessed with some real good commentators to be fair - take a bow Mr Holt in particular

Keep them coming folks

Like everyone, too many great memories to mention.  Earliest memories is probably Comandante winning the arkle in 1990.  Only a student at the time so although perhaps not the biggest win ever, perhaps meant the most to me.

Ever since, in yesterday all Rooster Booster, Blowing Wind, Frenchams Creek, Iris Gift, Buena Vista all mean to a lot to me.

only 7 weeks.... count em down

Yes Cabbage,
A great commentary compliments a great race.
Sir Peter calling Dessie is still one of the best.
I feel Simon Halt is starting to loose it now. Mark Johnson is by far the best caller these days. Really builds the race up.

Talking about great commentary...

"He still hasn't said go on Harchibald...he's laughing at his rivals...and still he waits...but Hardy Eustace finds more...and he wins again!"

Johnson is the best bar none, Holt excellent also...I hate it when they have Cattermole as the on course commentator especially for the big races like Ch hurdle, just does not get the crowd going...I remember Johnson giving the shout out to Cue Card the heavily backed fav in the 2011 supreme when he cruised into the race before 2 out...electric moment even though his effort soon faded (highest quality supreme ever?)

Richard Hoiles pretty solid as well

Some sports commentaries just do it for you don't they?

I know commentators get it in theneck quite a bit but could you imagine reliving Gareth Edward's Barbarian's try without Cliff Morgan's epic description, culminating in 'What a score!'. Or Peter O'Sullevan describing Yahoo and Desert Orchid going toe to toe in the Gold Cup. Or Michael O'Hehir's insanely brilliant description of the Foinavon race ("Rontowho's a faller, Norther's a faller....there's a right pile up')

The Cheltenham guys get it right more than they get it wrong re factual content and getting the emotion right too

There was some bloody roar a few years ago when Kauto, Denman and Long Run came to the 2nd last together

Yeah that's what I'm talking about.

Real jumps fan's ignore the hype about the 'Cheltenham Roar' at the sart of the Supreme Novices because if you've ever been to even a Championship Football game or Premiership rugby match, you'll hear louder. It's just a myth that Cheltenham can do without because when you get the REAL deal - like bluebird  highlights above - at Cheltenham, then it compares with anything any sporting occasion can throw at you, and then some.

Barton's sun alliance
rooster boosters champion hurdle
viking flagship, morley street, pearlyman...desert orchid ....all those.

My dream day was Gold Cup day 2006. Worked in the morning and then headed round to my mate's Dave in the afternoon to watch the festival on his flat screen.

Nipped into Laddies to do a multiple with Detroit City, Black Jack Ketchum, War of Attrition & Desert Quest.. All won!

First race was the Triumph and had backed Fair along the night before with the intention of laying off inrunning. Unfortunately the beast had drifted from 16.0 to 42.0 pre race. So had to stick in some inrunning lays and pray... Fair Along went 3.0 inrunning and Detroit City (other horse I'd backed at 5/1) won. Came out winning a monkey on race when it looked like i'd do £300 pre race.

Next race the Brit Insurance Nov hurdle. as BJK was in my multiple which was already 1/1 I had a token 50 quid on him at evens and watched him cruise to victory...

Gold Cup came next and having watched a Cheltenham preview the week before, I was pretty sure Segal would put up WOA as Pricewise and invested £150 at 14/1... He did tip him and the beast went off 7/1 before obliging... After some arbing/laying off I won about £400 on the race...

Foxhunters proved to be the only losing race of the day.. Did a token pony on the race.

Grand Annual was next and having backed Greenhope at 20/1 NRNB was disappointed to see him trading bigger on Betfair. Layed some off inrunning but still won a few hundred on the race.

Finally the County Hurdle with the quirky Desert Quest looking to bring up my multiple and seal my bet on Ruby Walsh top jockey. Cruised round and hacked up which resulted in winnings in excess of £2000.

Was earning about £1400 a month at that point, so quite a day...

Desert Orchid winning the Gold Cup at a course he'd never favoured on ground he absolutely hated. So gutsy, still can't believe it. What a horse!

Sounds like a few old timers on here

From my point of view of the "younger generation", it has to be Master Minded's first Champion Chase in 2008 is still the best round of jumping I have ever seen, and I was on Twist Magic that day.

From a betting point of view, it has to be when Dubguib won the bumper because a group of us who went decided that we'd go all in on him, so we'd either win together or lose together.

From an emotional point of view, it would have to be when Long Run, Kauto and Denman all jumped the second in a perfect line in the 2011 Gold Cup.  Didn't have the happy ending for me, but what a sight!

Sounds like a few old timers on herea few after also

Rooster Booster, Sky's The Limit, Master Oats....Istabraq 3 timer, Best Mate.......Viking Flagship....


Where do you stop?

Decalec, seems as its a greatest memories thread, you tend to remember ones you win more than you lose, so a bit of atertiming is ok on this one.

Plus, most of it was years ago anyway.

I'll never forget Oscar Delta as long as I've got a hole in my 'arris!

Eboue ... Great post ... Had goosebumps just reading it .

Friday 13th march 2009   36*£1 a accas    3*3*2*2.        Zaynar 11-2      Weapons amnesty 10-1   kauto star 15-8  oh crick 8-1  £1806


2011 .... Got a bit obsessed with the form of HURRICANE FLY .... It's 10 Lengths beating of future supreme christmas hurdle ... Fighting fifth winner and 2010 champion hurdle favourite  .. GO NATIVE .plus other great horses that had franked the form , including sollwhit etc etc ...    Went to bed with 2 week to go before festival and couldn't get hurricane fly out of my mind  . Morning of the race put £100 on the Mullins beast  at 4/1 BOG and  come about 1,34 pm ..... The sight of ruby Walsh coming up alongside peddlars cross with 2 to jump  was one of the most fantastic sights I have ever seen ........

Sorry , one to jump 

easy one to answer - wichita lineman, the biggest buzz i have ever had from gambling.

I had Maljimar in that race, but I don't hold any grudges!  Similar one with Final Approach and GMOOH; don't know how the judge ever called that one.

Another one was Back in Focus last year, 6 lengths down jumping the last with Torfino Bay treading water up to the line....

One Man's QMCC was pretty special - after his Gold Cup struggles the whole place loved seeing him pinging away in front and jumping them silly. Lovely moment at the top of the hill as OM bowling along, Harding barely moving and distress signals going out on everything in behind. All the more poignant given he wasnt much longer for the world.

For a 'wow' moment Master Minded's first QMCC was extraordinary.

good shout above re Mark Johnson - best on-course caller bar none. Remember over the second last in the Coral Cup 2003 - "...and here! - comes! - XENOPHON!!!". Cue uproar.