The Irish Road To Cheltenham

Diamond Geezer

Diamond Geezer

Gone But Not Forgotten
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May 2, 2003
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‘The Irish Road to Cheltenham’, RTÉ’s new five-part documentary, in association with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), airs on RTÉ One on Thursday 7th March at 8.30pm.

This observational documentary follows five well-known Jump Jockeys throughout the 2012/2013 National Hunt season whose ultimate objective is to compete at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2013 – The ‘Olympics’ of National Hunt racing. Jockeys Davy Russell (current National Hunt Champion Jockey), Nina Carberry, Andrew Lynch, Andrew McNamara (Andy Mc) and Robert ‘Puppy’ Power will give us unique access to their lives and a glimpse into the physical and mental lengths they go to for their profession.

The fly-on-the-wall series will provide a deep insight into the world of Irish National Hunt Jockeys who compete in one of the toughest sports in the world and will document their lifestyle on and off the track including the risks, the sacrifice and the physical challenges that go along with being a National Hunt Jockey.

Speaking about the upcoming series, Michael O’Rourke Director of Strategy and Marketing at HRI said:- ‘’Every year, from the start of the National Hunt season, racing fans start to look out for horses and jockeys who might make it to Cheltenham. The series will give viewers a sense of our Jockeys’ extraordinary skill and affinity with horses and their unique combination of mental and physical courage.”

Ray McCarthy Commissioning Editor, RTÉ Television said: “Horse-racing is such a particular passion of the Irish and so RTÉ are excited to be showcasing this new series which will give viewers a special insight into this world.”

‘The Irish Road to Cheltenham’ will show viewers the passion, excitement and authentically-Irish flavor of National Hunt racing from all around the country as it follows five of our top National Hunt Jockeys on their journey to the Cheltenham Festival.

‘The Irish Road to Cheltenham’ airs on RTE One on Thursday 7th March at 8.30pm.
 
This is the second or third such series in recent times. Saunas on Irish racecourses must be the largest in the world to accommodate the tv crews.
 
I feel I have a good feel for what goes on in the weighing room / sauna having seen a few similar programmes recently.

However, it would be very instructive to have a similar exposé across the corridor. Profiling Katie Walsh, Nina Carberry et al bantering and bonding in the sauna and showers would be very interesting.
 
While Bar The Bull's post has almost made me forget what Zi came on the thread for I'll try and focus.

I'm hijacking the thread slightly. What's the forums consensus on how many Irish trained winners there will be at the festival? If you haven't seen the betting than give it a go first. There might be a bet worth having.
 
I have not seen the betting...here is my go at pricing it up.

Supreme 0.33 (I reckon it is 2/1 an Irish winner)
Arkle 0.12
Champion 0.4
X Country 0.6
Mares Hurdle 0.7
4 Miler 0.25
Neptune 0.33
RSA Chase 0.2
Queen Mother 0.05
Bumper 0.5
Ryanair 0.25
World Hurdle 0.25
Triumph 0.25
Albert Bartlett 0.25
Gold Cup 0.2

So 4.7 wins. Add in the 12 handicaps...Say average expectation of 2 or 2.5 wins in thouse.

So I would go for 7 wins for Ireland.
 
SlimChance said:
I'm hijacking the thread slightly. What's the forums consensus on how many Irish trained winners there will be at the festival? If you haven't seen the betting than give it a go first. There might be a bet worth having.
Click to expand...

I just did a quick and rough calculation by going through each race and assessing the probability (using my own judgement as opposed to current odds) and got to 9.8 winners (I used 0.3 for most handicaps).
 
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I'd plump for 7.

That side of the water has by and large enjoyed the best of the winter weather and hold strong hands in the Supreme, Champion Hurdle, David Nicholson, Cross Country, National Hunt, Neptune, Bumper, Ryanair, Triumph, Gold Cup and Foxhunters to name but a few.

With Quevega and Salsify providing 2 and the Bumper and X Country traditionally being Irish benefits I'm up to 4.

Pont Alexandra could easily make it 5 and I've allowed an admittedly tight 1 from the quintet of Hurricane Fly, Our Conor, First Lieutenant, Sir Des Champs & Sizing Europe.

That's 6 so I've factored in 1 handicap win (probably the County).

Lee
 
Sizing Europe Quevega Hurricane Fly it's like attack of the pensioners.....Novices look ordinary bar 2 and there handicappers a weird mixtute I'll go for 7 top whack
 
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Tanlic said:
Sizing Europe Quevega Hurricane Fly it's like attack of the pensioners.....Novices look ordinary bar 2 and there handicappers a weird mixtute I'll go for 7 top whack
Click to expand...

Hurricane and Quevega are both 9!! Hardly pensioners!
 
If you listen to NTD in yesterday's RP then the Irish won't be going back with many at all because he'll be picking up at least half of the races.

I like it when trainers are bullish every now and then and how refreshing it is to hear a trainer say what a great mark a horse is on but then it starts to take the **** after a while.

Lee
 
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