posted May 18, 2007

The top Grade 1 race you mention is surely not the World Hurdle. Which is the poorest of the Big 4. Agree the Ryanair Chase is a good race, but with no prestige. It's only 3 years old and is won by good but not top quality horses.

The Triumph has had two good winners in the last two years. Detroit City and Katchit.

And Friday has the Gold Cup. The number one race of the year. Whether you argue about quality, if i was an owner, the Gold up is the race i would want to win.

Do you know what the last three races on Thursday are. I was there and cant remember.

Sorry, but you'll never make a believer out of me.

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posted May 18, 2007

Get back to the 3 days!!!!!!!!
In my opinion Thursday is the weakest day, but the overall quality has been diluted since going to 4 days.
Though I fear it is only a matter of time before we see a Saturday Gold Cup

Regards

Apieceofcake

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posted May 18, 2007

'The Triumph has had two good winners in the last two years. Detroit City and Katchit'

Detroit City did what exactly? Won the Greatwood and the Agfa, beating fields of 4 or 5, many of whom were previous season novices and did nothing the entire year.

He won the Bula, thanks to a disgraceful ride by O'Dwyer.

And, erm.....

Katchit? Yeah ok he's been a good 4yo. Let's see what he does next year. Can't call him a good winner yet.

The Gold Cup is the biggest trophy, no doubt about that. But I'm saying I'd rather watch Thursday's racing than Friday's.

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posted May 19, 2007

I agree that it is unrealistic to have 5 days, however it should never have been changed to 4 days in the first place.

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posted May 19, 2007

comment by jackane24
posted 22 Hours Ago

Ah come on, Thursday had a top Grade 1, tip top race. Littered with prestige. They also had a Group 2 which has now rightly become a Group 1.

Compare that to Friday, which has a very dodgy Foxhunter's Chase, a 3m Novice Hurdle which is almost always a walk-over for the favourite, the Triumph, which is a pretty weak race these days. The Gold Cup is the only proper big race on Friday.

They have the County Hurdle, but it's the last race and doesn't get much coverage.

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-----------------------------------------------
there are no poor races ( ok a few) at the chelenham fesival and certainly NO RUBBISH ONES. We should keep it 4 days.

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posted May 20, 2007

There WILL be a 5 day festival within the next 10 years
I suspect Jackane24 is correct about a 2 and a half mile Championship hurdle, throw in a 4 year old bumper, a few more handicaps and shift the Ryanair. Hey presto, an extra day.
Greed will make it happen!!

Regards

Apieceofcake

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posted May 20, 2007

I think a stayers Handicap Chase would be interesting near Aintree

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posted May 21, 2007

There is a stayers handicap 'chase run that week though. Can't see Uttoxeter giving up the Midlands National

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posted May 22, 2007

The Cross Country Race is over 3m 7f and the National Hunt Chase is a staying handicap chase which effectively is a slightly shorter version of the Midlands National!

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posted May 24, 2007

I agree that the Cheltenham Festival should not be extended to 5 days, however I was in favour of extending to 4 days. I, like so many others, have always taken the full week off work to enjoy the spectacle and the fact it is now four days does not diminish it in any way, I simply see the extra races as a bonus as we still all get to enjoy all the Grade 1 races as in years gone by. I think 4 is the optimum, any more would be too much for the wallet and the liver.

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