Politologue

 

Currently the co-seventh highest-rated steeplechaser in training, according to Timeform, Politologue, now a nine-year-old, has been a regular visitor to the Cheltenham Festival since 2016. However, until March, 2020, the best he had managed in four attempts was a 1¾-length second to Altior in the 2019 Queen Mother Champion Chase.

On his racing reappearance in 2019/20, Politologue was beaten, albeit not far, by Defi Du Seuil, who was in receipt of 3lb, in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham in November. The pair met again, at level weights, in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park the following month, with Defi Du Seuil once again coming out superior, to the tune of 18 lengths.

However, following that second defeat, trainer Paul Nicholls contacted owner John Hales and asked permission to send Politologue directly to the Queen Mother Champion Chase without a preparatory run, so that he arrived at the Cheltenham Festival very fresh. Hales agreed and, when March rolled around, Politologue was sent off 6/1 second favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase behind Defi Du Seuil, who had since added an impressive victory in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot to his winning tally.

In the hands of Harry Skelton, Politologue was soon jumping well at the head of affairs and drew clear in the closing stages to win, unchallenged, by 9½ lengths. By contrast, 2/5 favourite Defi Du Seuil was never travelling well and trailed in fourth of the five runners, beaten 13¼ lengths, with trainer Philip Hobbs unable to offer an explanation for his poor performance.

Cheltenham Festival 2021 Results Recap: Day Four

 13:20 Triumph Hurdle

Quilixios (Rachael Blackmore) 7/4

Adagio (T Scudamore) 17/2

Haut En Couleurs (P Townend) 14/1

13:55 County Handicap Hurdle

Belfast Banter (KC Sexton) 33/1

Petit Mouchoir (J C Gainford) 22/1

Milkwood (RT Dunne) 28/1

14:30 Novices’ Hurdle

Vanillier (MP Walsh) 14/1

Oscar Elite (Jonjo O’Neill Jr) 40/1

Streets of Doyen (SD Torrens) 10/1

15:05 The Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase 2021

Minella Indo (JW Kennedy) 9/1

A Plus Tard (Rachael Blackmore) 3/1

Al Boum Photo (P Townend) 9/4 Fav

15:40 Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase

Porlock Bay (Lorcan Williams) 16/1

Billaway (P Townend) 2/1 Fav

Staker Wallace (MP Walsh) 9/1

16:15 Mares’ Chase

Colreevy (P Townend) 9/4

Elimay (MP Walsh) 6/5 Fav

Shattered Love (JW Kennedy) 6/1

16:50 Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Galopin Des Champs (SF O’Keefe) 8/1

Langer Dan (Lorcan Williams) 13/2

Floueur (Paul O’Brien) 33/1

Cheltenham Festival 2021 Results Recap: Day Three

 13:20 Novices’ Chase

Chantry House (Nico de Boinville) 9/1

Fusil Raffles (DA Jacob) 14/1

Asterion Forlonge (P Townend) 14/1

13:55 Pertemps Network Final

Mrs Milner (BJ Cooper) 12/1

The Bosses Oscar (JC Gainford) 10/3 Fav

Come On Teddy (JJ Burke) 10/1

14:30 The Ryanair Steeple Chase

Allaho (Rachael Blackmore) 3/1 Fav

Fakir D’Oundaires (MP Walsh) 11/2

Tornado Flayer (DE Mullins) 25/1

15:05 Stayers’ Hurdle

Flooring Porter (D Mullins) 12/1

Sire Du Berlais (Mark Walsh) 5/1

Paisley Park (Aidan Coleman) 9/4 Fav

15:40 Stable Plate

The Shunter (JC Gainford) 9/4 Fav

Farclas (JW Kennedy) 5/1

Top Notch (Luca Morgan) 50/1

16:15 Mares Novices’ Hurdle

Telmesomethinggirl (Rachael Blackmore) 5/1

Magic Daze (RM Power) 22/1

Mighty Blue (JJ Slevin) 12/1

16:50 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

Mount Ida (JW Kennedy) 3/1 Fav

Cloudy Glen (RT Dunne) 33/1

Shantou Flyer (H Cobden) 11/2

Cheltenham Festival 2021 Results Recap: Day Two

 13:20 Novices’ Hurdle

Bob Olinger (Rachael Blackmore) 6/4 Fav

Gaillard Du Mesnil (P Townend) 9/4

Bravemansgame (H Cobden) 4/1

13:55 Novices’ Steeple Chase

Monkfish (P Townend) 1/4 Fav

Fiddlerontheroof (RM Power) 40/1

The Big Breakaway (H Cobden) 12/1

14:30 Handicap Hurdle

Heaven Help Us (RJ Condon) 33/1

Craigneiche (Tom Cannon) 17/2

Tea Clipper (JJ Burke) 33/1

15:05 Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase

Put The Kettle On (Aidan Coleman) 17/2

Nube Negra (Harry Skelton) 11/1

Chacun Pour Soi (P Townend) 8/13 Fav

15:40 Cross Country Steeple Chase

Tiger Roll (KM Donoghue) 9/2

Easyland (Felix de Giles) 1/1 Fav

Some Neck (R Johnson) 17/2

16:15 Grand Annual Handicap Chase

Sky Pirate (Nick Scholfield) 14/1

Entoucas (MP Walsh) 7/1

Ibleo (Charlie Deutsch) 9/1

16:50 Champion Bumper

Sir Gerhard (Rachael Blackmore) 2/1

Kilcruit (P Townend) 10/11 Fav

Elle Est Belle (Harry Skelton) 16/1