WITH the events of the Dublin Racing Festival putting many of the pieces together for the ‘big one’ next month, racing websites and pundits are falling over themselves churning out the race-by-race previews. Newbury was the final piece in the jigsaw with the most of the main contenders in Britain now set fair for the Cotswolds next month. There's only so much analysis we can absorb with many of the contenders having 'easy' trials. The last two winners Native River and Al Boum Photo have had nice easy prep races. It’s hard to get an original angle and do we not all have our own opinions anyway?

So let’s cut to the chase. Fast forward to 3.30pm March 13th – the greatest six and a half minutes in jump racing.

Close your eyes, conjure up Simon Holt’s voice... here’s your Gold Cup.

“And the white flag is raised... and they’re off to a tremendous roar in the 2020 Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup...and the field of 13 head to the first as Native River is pushed forward to lead again. He takes them over the first, Monalee races prominently with Bristol De Mai alongside him. Kemboy is keen in mid-field with Al Boum Photo behind him on the inside, Santini comes next, Clan Des Obeaux has Delta Work on his outside with Elegant Escape. Davy Russell again has Presenting Percy out the back and Lostintranslation is held up keeping him company with Anibale Fly in rear.

“All safely over the first and heading for the next in front of the stands. Safely over that too and as they head away to the one past the stands, Native River, the 2018 winner leads them over that one, Delta Work was a bit slow there, and Kemboy has moved forward a place or two.

“Heading away out into the country, over that one, Santini nodded slightly. The race on as Native River and Monalee take them over the water. Heading for the first of the ditches, good jump Native River, and OH, KEMBOY went through it and he’s gone! He missed that one completely and is out of the race for the second year in a row.

“They head on to another plain one, all still travelling well, last year’s winner Al Boum Photo has a nice position on the inner. Turning now to the big ditch, the leaders take it, Delta Work lost a length there, Lostintranslation still in rear under Robbie Power. Presenting Percy seems to be jumping better than last year in rear.

“Over the one at the top of the hill and running down to the turn for home. Native River travels well from Bristol De Mai and Monalee, as they turn back towards home, little change over the first in the staright, Santini is still travelling well just behind the leaders. On past the stands, they get a great cheer as they head out on the second circuit. Native River is having to be kept up to his work but he leads.

“Heading back towards the water again. Presenting Percy still out the back. The take the ditch again, Clan Des Obeaux has travelled particularly well to this point. The pressure is on now as they go to the big ditch, Santini was awkward there and is pushed along for a few strides. At the top of the hill, Bristol De Mai still in there fighting, down the hill, Native River, driven along, Delta Work, Santini gets back into it, Monalee is feeling the pinch now.

“Over the third last, Santini, Bristol De Mai, Native River, Al Boum Photo on the inner.

Under a drive

“And they are into the straight, Al Boum Photo moves through, Native River under a drive. Delta Work is fighting on, Presenting Percy needs to find more, Santini in the centre, and with Lostintranslation coming there on the outside.

“Cobden asks Clan Des Obeaux for his effort as they take the second last, but he’s finding little. Delta Work is slow there and and as they race to the last... it’s last year’s winner Al Boum Photo who will take it in front, Santini goes with him. Al Boum Photo gets away the quicker but Lostintranslation is produced on the near side by Robbie Power… Santini can find no more and inside the final furlong… Lostintranslation is finishing powerfully… Al Boum Photo has no more to give... Lostintranslation is forging clear… LOSTINTRANSLATION wins the Gold Cup for the Tizzards! Robbie Power wins a second Gold Cup. Al Boum Photo is a gallant second. Santini holds off a rallying Native River for third.”

Five weeks to the real thing!