Wow, was it just me or did that jump season fly by? I remember back in November looking ahead to the Cheltenham Festival and previewing who the big runners could be. Whether Willie Mullins could continue his fine form, if Nicky Henderson could finally deliver his big hopes and who could spring a surprise.
We’ve had some highly entertaining meetings, it is fair to say and some horses that have come from nowhere to certainly lay down a marker for next season.
So, with all that in mind, I’ve taken a look back at what I think some of the best highlights of this season have been.
Kempton Delivers For Christmas
Racegoers at Kempton on Boxing Day had a nice little extended Christmas treat with some great viewing on show, with odds-on favourite Constitution Hill returning for Henderson in spectacular style to win the Christmas Hurdle, giving him some great momentum for the Cheltenham Festival and providing a great battle with fellow favourite Lossiemouth.
Obviously the big race was the King George VI and I thought it was quite an open field – indeed, my feeling was that any one from eight could win it, and as it turns out, Banbridge delivered, beating what many thought was the value-favourite in Grey Dawning.
Cheltenham Festival Again Full Of Surprises
I remember this well – I had quite a few winners and places, though I didn’t get my calculations quite right with what I bet on the different horses, but I still came out ahead which was nice.
In what was probably the biggest spectacle in the first part of the week was the fall of Constituion Hill and then second favourite State Man within about 10 seconds of each other. As always, there are always four major favourites for each of the four main races and the bookies would have breathed a major sigh of relief when he went down. When Lossimouth romped home on the first day, I bet they were fearing the worst, but this definitely helped to save their week.
Indeed, all eyes were on Mullins and as expected, he more than delivered, though, not in the Gold Cup! This is race that I’ve had success in over the years, but I didn’t touch it this time around. I thought Galopin Des Champs was a cert – reflected by his supreme performance last year, though jockey Paul Townend had been making some questionable decision-making all week and when it fell I don’t think I was too surprised. It paved the way for eventual winner, ‘Inothewayyourthinking’ to finish with a flourish.
Mullins Once Again Hits The Aintree Headlines
One of the biggest showpieces of the racing calendar, Aintree which includes the eagerly anticipated Grand National also delivered in style.
While there were some entertaining spectacles throughout the week, it was really about the ‘big one’ and for the second year running I backed the winner. While most of the money was for last year’s winner I Am Maximus, I had a sneaky feeling that once Mullins announced that his son Patrick would be riding Nick Rockett (indeed a 33/1 shot), he was confident about this. I promptly stuck a fiver each way on and watched it steam home in sublime style.
I should have backed a Mullins 1-2-3 to be fair as well, because this is exactly what happened, with last year’s winner and then Grangeclare West completeing the treble.
If next season is half as exciting as this one (which I have no doubt it will be), we will be in for a superb nine months (or so) of racing!