TOMORROW sees the reappearance of the Arkle Chase favourite Douvan, in his first outing over fences. At such an early stage in the season, few races can have such an intended superstar cast as the two mile novice. The next eight in the current betting are all high class graded novice hurdle winners - Shaneshill, L’Ami Serge, Garde La Victoire, Sizing John, Kitten Rock, Vaniteux, Jollyallan, Bristol De Mai. Four of them have already posted impressive wins over fences.

Two mile novice chases have always been one of the most thrilling events at the Festival and this is brewing up to be one of the best ever.

Mares making

their mark

One of the most interesting races at Cheltenham last weekend was the mares’ bumper that closed the Saturday card. It was won by Copper Kay who beat her three-parts sister Which One Was Which and the expensive Henderson purchase Theatre Territory in third.

They all looked the part and there can be little doubt this was a high quality race and with others like Augusta Kate around, I doubt that come Cheltenham, anyone will have any justification in calling the new mares’ hurdle race uncompetitive.

Not bad for a girl!

On the same subject, Richard Johnson’s comments in his bookmaker blog could have raised a hackle, at a time of questioning how lady riders are treated.

“I was really impressed with Copper Kay in the mares’ bumper on Saturday, she’s well above average for a mare.” What’s that Richard – “for a mare?”. Did we say racing’s not chauvinistic? And poor old Peter Alliss got the boot for saying Mrs Johnson might be wishing for a new kitchen after her husband’s Open win!

I feel a touch of that Norwegian soccer commentator coming along.

Sceptre, Pretty Polly, Glencarig Lady, Allez France, Dawn Run, Mysilv, Ouija Board, Zenyatta - you boys took one helleva beating!

Only one Gold Cup

Despite the Betfair Chase being well established as one of the season’s top contests, and an added bonus of the £1 million chasing Triple Crown, it has not proved tempting enough to attract a field of more than five for the Haydock race. The bonus has had no effect and each trainer is still plotting their own path to the Gold Cup. The fact remains the Gold Cup is the pearl of great prize in the National Hunt season and like it or not, every road leads to that Friday at Prestbury Park in March.

The Vulture

returns

David Casey – The Irish Field Sept 25th - “I’ve ridden Vautour a couple of times at home - from what I’ve seen him do on the racetrack, I think he could be the best of all time. He kills horses I think with his stride. I don’t know would you ever get to the bottom of him.”

Ruby Walsh – The Irish Field Oct 9th – “I love him. I think he’s a monster. I thought his performance in Cheltenham was breathtaking. He kicked 160 horses out of the way at Cheltenham like they were selling-platers.” The waiting is over….

By George

Is there anyone more annoying than George Hamilton commentating on a crucial must-win match when you’ve just gone ahead but with a quarter of the match still to go?“Surely this is gonna be a night to remember in the Aviva Stadium,” cried George when the first goal went in on Monday night.

Thank heavens for Ronnie Whelan. “We’ve gotta be alert - there’s still 20 minutes left.” And later Ronnie shared our tension: “I’m not going to say how well he’s done ‘cos something might happen.” George chipped in again at the 90th minute mark. “Bosnia need to score twice.” Ronnie stayed calm, he was on our side again. “There’s always a chance - there’s still two minutes.” There was no need to go weak at a sudden “Danger here”, announcement.

Matt Cooper @cooper_m

Given the whinging and moaning they’ve put up with Martin O’Neill & Roy Keane deserve great credit for getting the best out of those players

Joseph Barton @Joey7Barton

Congratulations to the Irish. Euro’s will be better for them in it. I’m almost sure I even saw Roy Keane smiling in the pitch afterwards.

AP McCoy @AP_McCoy

Great result brilliant to see Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane look as happy as every other Irish person @FAIreland

John McCririck @RealMcCririck

Great to see Sprinter Sacre back to his best - Nicky in tears but what a welcome from the @CheltenhamRaces crowd

Vautour @VautourHorse

Great to see my stablemate Sir Des Champs return with a win today. Hopefully you’ll all be calling me Sir after I hose up in the KG & GC.

“It’s still terribly hard for us to believe, he’s just my friend Max who gallops and jumps. He doesn’t feel like this wonderful champion. I want the world to know how great he is, we have to give him the chance to put his doubters to bed.” Sara Bradstock speaking of Coneygree on Racing UK.

The last word

You can bring Trapattoni, Keane, O’Neill, any manager but you feel many of us will still travel to Europe as “we’re all part of Jackie’s army.” Even Jockser might be out there shaking off his middle age spread and tagging along with his twenty something year-old sons.