Review of the day

…and over to our reporter, watching the big match at Prestbury park…

Incredible scenes here, Peter.

Just 5 minutes into the second half and TVBs midfield dynamo, Dickie Johnson, bulldozed his way through the opposition defence and just managed to sneak his effort inside the far post.

That seemed to give the home team renewed belief and 15 minutes later, enigmatic striker Tom Scu, blazed one home from 30 yards.

The keeper stood no chance - it really was a screamer !

- If only the boy Tom could do that every week !

One thing’s for sure though Peter, this game could go either way now – and the momentum is very much with the home team.

Game on !!

And so the comeback begins…

First it was Fingal Bay, who cruised through the Pertemps final – and looked sure win turning in.

But then found himself under pressure – and seemingly beaten, as he approached the final obstacle.

An untidy jump there, appeared to have sealed his fate – but when you have Dickie Johnson on top, you are never beaten until the judge says so…

And the whilst the judge spent a lot of time looking at the print – not even he could resist Dickies power in a finish.

Ofcourse it was just the result we needed – but how my heart went out to Daryl Jacobs – rider of the runner up, Southfield Theatre.

He did absolutely nothing wrong – other than choose to get in a battle to the line with the most determined rider in the weighing room.

Cheltenham isn’t really a place where grown men should cry – particularly not jockeys – but I did feel for him…

In truth, he was probably already feeling a little jinxed, as any chance of success he had in the opening race, was taken from him when Djakadam fell in front of his mount (and our tip), Wonderful Charm, at the fourth last fence.

In truth, I’m not sure it cost Wonderful Charm the race (unlike The New One On Tuesday !) – though he did finish to some effect and ultimately wasn’t beaten that far.

Still, by TVB standards this week, that one was never going to make the top 5 hard luck stories…

A couple of relatively easily forgotten races (from a TVB perspective) then followed: with Menorah pulled up in the Ryanair (the horse clearly isn’t right at the moment) – and Zarkandar running on into a never dangerous fourth in the World hurdle.

Before we once again returned to the winners enclosure – this time courtesy of a spectacular round from Ballynagour…

He needed no luck – and no photo finish – as he cruised through the race and then stormed up the hill for a facile 8 length victory.

I did say this morning that I felt he had the ability to blow the field apart – if on form – and today he was clearly on form !   

Bless the Wings travelled well to a point in the same race – but eventually tired and finished well beaten.

Finally, both Roberto Goldback and Balnislow ran honourable races in the last, to finish third and fourth – but were no match for all the way winner, Spring Heeled

Balnaslow travelled beautifully just off the pace – but as at Gowran last time, just didn’t seem to get home (if I were Willie Mullins, I would be inclined to shelve any plans to step him up to 4 miles); whilst Roberto Goldback got outpaced at the top of the hill before staying on doggedly up the straight.

So it was a good day for TVB – and a good day for racing…

A new champion stayer was crowned in the shape of More of That – and an old one was retired, in the shape of Big Bucks.

The sands of time just keep on flowing...

It was also good to see Dynaste coming back to form with a comprehensive victory in the Ryanair (ignoring Menorah for a moment !).

I wasn’t sure he had that kind of finish in him – but he would have been a match for anything today.

On to tomorrow then – and the final day of the festival.

As always, the first 3 days have been an emotional and financial roller coaster  – and not for one moment, do I expect things to ease up tomorrow.

It’s all beautifully poised – Team TVB v The Bookmakers – almost too close to call.

I have no idea which way it will turn out – but I can promise you that I will be giving it my all to get us home in front.

That Dickie Johnson, he can be quite an inspiration ;)

TVB.