Champion Hurdle
The two previous winners, Hurricane Fly
and Binocular, returned for the 2012 renewal of the Champion Hurdle,
with the former sent off 4/6 to make it 2-2 at the Festival. However,
on good going, it was Rock On Ruby, trained by Paul Nicholls and
ridden by Noel Fehily, who kept on best to beat Overturn by 3¾
lengths. Hurricane Fly could make no impression in the closing stages
and finished third, a further 1¾ lengths. Officially, the winner was
credited to Nicholls, but Rock On Ruby was mainly prepared at his
satellite yard in Seaborough, Dorset by Harry Fry.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
Just eight runners lined up for the
2012 Queen Mother Champion Chase, with defending champion Sizing
Europe odds-on, at 4/5, to win again. Henry de Bromhead’s
10-year-old ran creditably, but was joined by 4/1 second favourite
Finian’s Rainbow, at the final fence – bypassed following the
fall of Wishfull Thinking on the first circuit – and headed in the
final half a furlong, or so. Finian’s Rainbow, trained by Nicky
Henderson and ridden by Barry Geraghty, prevailed by 1¼ lengths,
with Big Zeb a respectable, but distant, third, 15 lengths away.
Stayers’ Hurdle
Big Buck’s, the undisputed star of
the staying hurdle division, claimed a record-breaking fourth victory
in the race, at the chief expense of 20/1 Voler La Vedette, who
pushed him all the way to the line, before succumbing by 1¾ lengths.
The victory was the sixteenth in a row over hurdles by Big Buck’s,
equally the record set by Sir Ken nearly six decades earlier. Another
20/1 chance, Smad Place, finished third, 7 lengths away.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
Defending champion Long Run was sent
off 7/4 favourite to retain his title, ahead of 2007 and 2009 winner
Kauto Star at 3/1. Kauto Star was pulled up before halfway, though,
and although Long Run ran creditably he couldn’t find the same turn
of foot as he had twelve months previously and eventually finished
third, beaten 3 lengths. The race was won by 2011 Welsh Grand
National winner, Synchronised, trained by Jonjo O’Neill and ridden
by A.P. McCoy. The 8/1 chance led at the final fence and stayed on
gamely to beat rallying 50/1 outsider The Giant Bolster by 2¼
lengths.
