'We all stood in awe'

Kim Bailey reflects on a vintage Cheltenham, but warns of Irish domination

- Jennifer Donald

WE all went into this year’s four-day Cheltenham Festival wondering what the bloody hell was happening.

Jon Pullen, Cheltenham’s clerk of the course, had been watering for the best part of three weeks before the meeting and then for the umpteenth time the weather forecast changed with rain, frost and snow predicted.

All arrived… who would want his job!

We marched in on Tuesday full of excitement, expecting to see a masterclass from Constitution Hill and the shortest-priced favourite did not disappoint. We all stood in awe as this equine dynamo frankly won the Champion Hurdle without coming off the bridle. Hats in the air and as he returned to the winners’ enclosure, the crowds clapped and cheered with appreciation of what they had just witnessed.

Constitution Hill walked through the throng like he was off on a Sunday afternoon stroll, totally unfazed by what he had just achieved.