|
2000 
This contest often produces good horses, Last years winner Mister Banjo won another good event at Cheltenham before running not quite so well at the festival on ground to fast for him he was later sold for a record 240,000 pounds. Will this year's winner do so well? Well time as they say will tell.There were two fancied French runners in this event, the favourite Bilboa, The Triumph Hurdle favourite, who was from the in form Doumen stable and also the horse he beat the last time they met, Jair Du Cochet. So at the off Storm Prince ran into the lead and led over the first and also at the second. At the third the group was still close and bunched up and there was no change, but Caesar's Palace make a mistake at this hurdle. AT the next, the Jair Du Cochet took up the lead and was followed Fait Le Jojo and next was Smudger Smith,Bilboa was gaining ground and then was storm prince and Spirit of Park also open ground,with Caesers Palace at the rear. As they left the back and turned for home all were being ridden and at the first in the home straight Jair Du Cochet was opening up a get to the rest of the field. At the next Jair Du Cochet was keeping ahead of the two behind the improving Bilboa and Fait Le Jojo. 
At two out the leader jumped well and also Bilboa who was second 5 lengths behind also jumped well but Fait Le Jojo fell badly and did not get up.
At the last hurdle things were getting very serious and Bilboa was under strong pressure but was not making ground. The leader jumps the last but makes a slight mistake and the jockey hails a cab but the horse does not stop running.With 150 yards to go Jair Du Cochet was looking very good and was just too good for the rest and the jockey Jaques Ricou makes the biggest salute of the day as he passes the winning post and is absolutely jubilant. Bilboa Finishes in second place 4 lengths behind. Next to dross the line was Spirit of Park and he was a distance behind the first two. We all looked back to see Fait le Jojo was still on the ground and was not moving, Richard Johnson was up but it did not look as if the horse was going to get up.
Then perhaps 10 minutes after the finish of the race we saw a great sight when he got to his feet and it seems he was just winded this was the best moment of the day! |
