Having long been prone to enjoying travel more than arrival and being of a generally perverse nature anyway, the day of the holy week I look forward to most is Cheltenham Eve and that splendid threesome of NH meetings at Plumpton, Stratford and Taunton; a winter Monday so unusual and a fitting, satisfying aperitif to the four days in excelcis
Prior to the addition of the fourth day - which I still have reservations about - the best two hours of my entire year was on the Thursday: that almost too-hot-to-handle succession of four steeplechases comprising Gold Cup, Foxhunter, Grand Annual and Cathcart. A glorious and suitably draining final act, though I believe there was some race called the County Hurdle after them, which was presumably run as a moral-booster for the cleaners during their unsavoury work after the gold rush
I find it difficult to single out a day now, though if pushed it would still be the Thursday (which I believe many regard as weak) simply because the last four races comprise three of my beloved chases with my favourite Hurdle race - The Stayers' - chucked in amongst them
The whole shebang remains about as good as it gets though doesn't it?
Though, naturally, the Hexham Four-Miler knocks lil' ol' Prestbury into a cocked hat
Yep, betting-wise, don't ignore the aways. All sorts of 'interesting' runners hiding there
Just goes to show just how exciting a meeting it is
