NEW YEAR ’ S DAY 1 January 2020
R I NG I NG I N THE NEW Y EAR
This year more than most, we will be waving goodbye to 2020 and excited to see what 2021 has in store. Cheltenham Racecourse looks set to welcome the New Year in style
H istorically, the town heads to their head from the evening before. Although this year means we won’t all be able to gather in the usual way, with the help of ITV Racing and Racing TV, we will be able to put on quite a show. The rst raceday of 2020 saw a number of Festival winners take to the stage across the thrilling seven-race card. With the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) hosting an all-star eld including the Mares’ Hurdle winner, Prestbury Park to start the year the only way they know how, with a spot of racing and clearing Roksana, Sky Bet Supreme Novice Hurdle winner, Summerville Boy and Coral Cup
the year, but we were treated to one of the greatest nishes we have seen for many years. Lalor, Oldgrangewood and Saint Calvados were three abreast as they charged up the Cheltenham Hill in the most valuable contest of the day, the Paddy Power Handicap Chase. It was Oldgrangewood who came out on top in the photo nish. The nine-year- old took the lead at the last under Harry Skelton and was all out to repel the late challenge of Saint Calvados by a nose, with long-time leader Lalor returning to form for trainer Kayley Woollacott and jockey Aidan Coleman who rallied well in third, another nose behind. Chris Giles, who owns the winner in
Handicap Hurdle winner William Henry all taking their chance. It was the longest-priced of the three, Summerville Boy under Jonny Burke who came out on top after making all the running to see o Mares’ Hurdle heroine Roksana for the Skelton team by two and a quarter lengths. William Henry nished third of the Festival winning trio for Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville. Winning trainer Tom George said: “Jonny gave him a great ride and we will enjoy the day. We have been good on the big days and have had a great Christmas – long may it continue.” It may have only been the rst day of
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