Horse racing man Sam reflects on a wonderful Cheltenham Festival (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Horse racing man Sam reflects on a wonderful Cheltenham Festival

FEW words can describe the euphoria of this year's National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham, especially for racegoers like myself who had not previously attended this annual spectacle, writes Sam Hoskins.

As soon as I heard those roars erupt around me as the first race got under way, I knew I was at no ordinary big meeting.

This was further enhanced once Barry Cash had galvanised Irish pride Brave Inca up the hill to land those first race spoils to yet another thunderous ovation.

This race looked to be a very classy affair as he and War of Attrition pulled well clear with top tip Fleet Street coming third at 20/1!

The Arkle Chase saw one of the rides of the meeting as Tony McCoy crept round the inner on the inexperienced Well Chief to see off the well backed Kicking King.

Top tip Our Armageddon put in a lacklustre round on Tuesday, but he came out again on Thursday to win the Cathcart Chase at 9/1 - a completely different horse!

The Champion Hurdle was the highlight on Day One where main top tip, Rooster Booster, was travelling ominously well approaching the last flight.

But Irish outsider Hardy Eustace would not give in and eventually outbattled the Rooster for an unlikely 33/1 win. Racing can be very unpredictable!

The handicaps saw a first Festival success for versatile local trainer Alan King (Barbury Castle, near Marlborough) as Fork Lightning outfought Shardam, another local from Nigel Twiston-Davies's Naunton yard, up Cheltenham's notorious hill for the William Hill Chase prize.

The last two winners on Tuesday's card were Maximise and Creon (trained at Temple Guiting by Jonjo O'Neill), who finished like a train to land the Kim Muir and Pertemps Final respectively.

Day Two started with another local success when Nigel Twiston-Davies's Fundamenta-list held off the unrelenting northern talent of Inglis Drever.

Top tip Very Optimistic was disappointing. Irish outsider Rule Supreme flew late to catch the game Royal Emperor and 'talking horse' Our Vic in the SunAlliance Novices' chase where top tip Supreme Prince jumped dreadfully and was well beaten.

The Champion Chase was somewhat marred by the fall of Moscow Flyer at the top of the hill as the race was beginning in earnest.

This left his title challenger Azertyuiop to take full advantage as he romped home in perfect isolation.

Monkerhostin, ridden by local jockey Richard Johnson, Native Emperor, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, Tikram and Total Enjoyment took the remaining races on the card.

The final day started with yet another upset as Richard Johnson rode Made In Japan to victory at 20/1 for his second win of the meeting.

Local hero Iris's Gift gave Jonjo O'Neill yet another Festival winner as he fought off French wonderhorse Barra-couda in a reversal of last year's result.

And so to the Gold Cup. Best Mate was out to make it a third consecutive victory, emulating the great Arkle.

It was a tough call but this very special racehorse did not disappoint as he dug deep to deliver the goods. It was a wonderful moment indeed.

Paul Nicholls's string, Earth-mover, St Pirran and Sporazene, all won their races later in the day, to give both Paul and his jockey Ruby Walsh top trainer and top jockey awards for the meeting.

The other winner, of course, was 'my' Our Armageddon in the Cathcart.

As well as Best Mate's marvellous win, there were just so many memories to list from this very special meeting. I can barely wait for next year's event!