Four days earn place in Festival folklore

14 April 2012

Three days down, one to go. The one in question is the crowning glory of the jumps season, and Gold Cup afternoon will have to go some to match the first three days of the Cheltenham Festival.

But first apologies to anyone who followed me in to back Azertyuiop in the Champion Chase. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but those who opposed the magnificent Moscow Flyer were asking for trouble and duly found it in the shape a horse whose speed and exuberance seem undimmed by the passage of time.

Eighteen wins from 18 completed starts is an astounding record at any level, but to compile such a record against the very best around marks him out as one of the great twomile chasers of all time.

The other abiding memories of the first three days relate to the traditional Cheltenham themes of brilliance, bravery and sportsmanship. Harchibald plainly has brilliance to spare.

The image of him swaggering through to challenge Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca in the Champion Hurdle is destined to pass into Cheltenham folklore. And the image of the streetfighting Hardy Eustace bowing his head to repel all boarders will do likewise after a race which lived up to every ounce of the hype.

Paul Carberry must have been mortified to see his Champion Hurdle dreams shrivel away so close to home but went straight on the front foot to counter flak from those who said he should have driven Harchibald on sooner.

"I should have waited even longer," was his response. And the smile was soon back on his face after Dabiroun helped his sister Nina become the first woman since 1987 to ride a Festival winner against the professionals.

Nina came down to earth with a bump when the strongly fancied Karanja dumped her at the start of Wednesday's Bumper, which also produced a strong contender for ride of the week from Ruby Walsh on Missed That.

Walsh endured two crashing falls on a frustrating day one and, having seen Azertyuiop blunder his chance away at the water jump in the Champion Chase, emerged for the Bumper stern faced knowing the stakes were high.

All of Ireland and half of Britain seemed to be on Missed That after a striking gallop at Leopardstown last week. Walsh proved the difference between victory and defeat with a stylish home straight drive which would have done credit to any top Flat jockey.

The glance skywards as he made the sign of the cross passing the post told you all you needed to know about the importance of getting this particular job done.

However, the man who keeps stealing the headlines this week is a diminutive Irishman who was almost lost to the jumping game a few years ago.

Graham Lee's career had gone so quiet after a spell on the sidelines with a broken leg that he toyed with becoming a full-time Flat jockey.

A change of heart and the backing of Geordie millionaire owner Graham Wylie has transformed his life in the last three years and, after winning on Arcalis and No Refuge on Tuesday and Wednesday, he marked St Patrick's Day with an unforgettable success aboard Inglis Drever in yesterday's World Hurdle.

A place in Cheltenham history - not to mention the thick end of 20 grand in winning percentages - is the reward for Lee's efforts this week.

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Four days earn place in Festival folklore

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