All roads lead to Cheltenham

IN NATIONAL Hunt Racing all roads lead not to Rome, but to Cheltenham. The four-day festival, held in March each year, has evolved and grown to such significance that discussions and analysis now start many months in advance.

The first full weekend in December provides two noteworthy junctions for connections with ambitions of winning one of the festival’s most prestigious races, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, run over two miles on Cheltenham's Old Course on the Wednesday of the meeting.

Winners of the Tingle Creek Chase, held at Sandown Park on December 6 and the Hilly Way Chase, ran a day later at Cork, have provided plenty of strong contenders—and more than a few winners—for the Champion Chase, especially in recent years.

At Sandown recently the Willie Mullins trained Il Etait Temps was sent off 8/11 favourite for the 2 mile Grade 1 contest, with the main danger appearing to come from Nicky Henderson’s ultra consistent Jonbon, who had won the race in each of the last two years. The latter, owned by legendary Limerick gambler and businessman JP McManus, made most of the running with Paul Townend content to keep Il Etait Temps tracking in third. That was until three out when Townend slipped his mount up the inside to jump into the lead, however Jonbon refused to go quietly and was nearly alongside again as they jumped the penultimate flight. Il Etait Temps landed far superior to eke out a two to three length lead, cleared the last in style before forging clear up the hill to record an impressive nine length success.

Paul Townend was delighted with his horse, praising him for his bravery and maturity. The bookmakers clearly agreed with his assessment and cut Il Etait Temps (above) to a general 11/4 chance for the Queen Mother Championship Chase in March.

In Cork, Willie Mullins once again saddled the favourite, however the 2 mile Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase didn’t go anywhere near according to plan.

The well-regarded Majborough, another carrying the famous green and gold of JP McManus, started as a 4/6 chance with Mark Walsh aboard, but a combination of poor jumping and a lack of race fitness saw him succumb to Found A Fifty (3/1) by a length and half. Majborough looked an awkward ride throughout and made several mistakes racing up front. One serious blunder two out looked to have put paid to his chances but he bravely rallied after the final fence, not enough though to deny a game winner.

Found A Fifty’s win completed an impressive 259/1 four-timer on the day for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy.

All eyes now turn to the Christmas Festivals at Kempton Park (December 26 and 27) and Leopardstown (December 26-29) where no less than nine Grade 1 contests will be run over the two courses. If that is not enough then there are similar others to enjoy at Limerick, Aintree and Newbury before the new year arrives, not to mention the small matter of the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27.