SO did you hear about the events in Sweden last weekend? What happened? There’s a twitter hashtag #prayforSweden. But nothing happened.

Did you hear about this Gold Cup, then? It’s got Vautour, Coneygree, Don Cossack and Thistlecrack, going to be brilliant. But no, that’s not happening either. It’s all just in the mind.

The departure of Thistlecrack from the Gold Cup picture this week was the latest blow in a season that has repeatedly robbed us of our star jumping names.

Many of us had already savoured the images in our idle minds, of those seconds when the Gold Cup tempo increases on the run from the top of the hill down to the third last. Visualised Johnson and Native River winding it up as Scudamore and Brennan sat, waiting to press the triggers.

The pre-Cheltenham casualty list this year is as bad as it’s ever been. It certainly highlights the past feats and exploits of the likes of David Elsworth, Henrietta Knight and Paul Nicholls in getting their staying chasers to return year after year and compete at the very top level in the championship races. Dessie did six, Best Mate three in a row. Kauto Star went to an almost unbelievable seven festivals, Denman too did six in a row.

Now, where would we be without Cue Card. It would be a some achievement to win a Champion Bumper and, seven years later, win a Gold Cup.

There’s still a huge doubt over whether he would have won last year. The stamina question is still to be answered but he is the horse who would bring the house down. No one would then remember the horses who were not there, no matter how worthy a contender, Native River just doesn’t excite.

A win for Djakadam, a third time lucky, would have a deal of irony in it. Rich Ricci and Willie Mullins have a depleted team this year, Mullins even more so with the loss of the Gigginstown horses from the yard.

No one would begrudge Mullins the Gold Cup after six second places in it. Ricci has lost his two stars in the Champion Hurdle winners Annie Power and Faugheen. Could the fates turn and allow him land the coveted prize in such a year?

It would be typical of jump racing to smack you on one cheek and then, just when you’re about to exclaim ‘bitch’, to kiss it all better a little while later.

And, boy, does the 2017 Cheltenham Festival needs something to kiss it better. Douvan and Altior may be stars but their races look like solo performances.

We need our heroes to overcome adversity, to take the knocks and rise again. This festival needs Cue Card.

The stats are against him - his age and previous efforts. But because of that, victory could raise the roof and unite the masses. Let’s just pray he stays safe until March 17th.