1 Horses for courses

Okay, so we know Cheltenham form is vital. Festival form is even stronger. But this was just another day to hammer home that point. Envoi Allen and Sire Du Berlais recorded their third Festival wins, while Mighty Potter faltered again around one of the most unique tracks anywhere in the world. In the same race as the latter, Stage Star produced a carbon copy of his performance here in a novices’ handicap chase in January.

2 De Bromhead preparation on the money

What a week Henry de Bromhead had. That’s not new either. Every trainer tries to have their horses peaking for the Festival but de Bromhead is excelling. In particular today, Envoi Allen and Magical Zoe both ran huge races from relatively long lay-offs.

3 Super spread

A big day for Ireland at Cheltenham usually has Willie Mullins’ handprints all over it but not today. The champion trainer was winless, and while that in itself is not to be celebrated it was great to the smaller yards of Tony Martin, John McConnell and Sam Curling come to the fore. There are seriously talented trainers in Ireland and these days prove it.

4 McKenna magic

In the lead up to the Festival, Cheltenham’s social channels showcased the ride Paul Carberry gave Bellvano in the 2012 Grand Annual. It was pure artistry from the Meath man and he will surely have appreciated Liam McKenna’s beautifully timed run on Good Time Jonny in the Pertemps Final. Last at the top of the hill, no better than 10th just before the final flight, he swept past them all to win cosily for his first ever Festival win. It was a superb reading of the race.

5 Prestbury Cup still means something

The Prestbury Cup, or just Britain v Ireland, coverage is often criticised at Cheltenham these days for various reasons. But I was in a mini press huddle listening to Paul Nicholls after Stage Star won the Turners and the first thing he said was, “It’s great to get one for the Brits.” The Prestbury Cup is never going to be some sort of Ryder Cup equivalent some seem desperate to display it as but, make no mistake, it means something to connections. Maybe we only appreciated that when six winners was a massive return for the Irish.