FEATURE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY THREE ST PATRICK’S T H U R S D A Y St Patrick’s Thursday gives us the opportunity to celebrate our friends from the Emerald Isle, while watching some top-class sport…
I t may be that the headline act is still 24 hours away, but there are plenty of racegoers for whom St Patrick’s Thursday is their favourite day. An Irish winner is always greeted with roars of approval for those who have travelled across the Irish Sea, but it can certainly be said that any who triumph on the Thursday are met with extra cheers as they make their way into the
winners’ enclosure – usually from those with a Guinness in hand. The Thursday card is unique as the only one across the four days to feature two ‘Championship’ races on the line- up – the Ryanair Chase and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle – two Grade One contests that are held back-to-back. With a stellar supporting card to boot, Day Three boasts action of relentless
high quality and it can be said that this is the day champions are made. Last year’s renewal of the Grade One Ryanair Chase certainly lost some of its spark due to the absence of the Willie Mullins-trained Allaho, who had lit up back-to-back renewals of the race in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud. Victories by 12 lengths in 2021 and 14 lengths in 2022, respectively, would be
thejockeyclub.co.uk 55
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker