Soltalk March 2018 | Page 38

From previous page Bets Stayers’ Hurdle and The Ryanair Chase. 2017 saw the resurgence of the formidable Irish duo of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh as they produced an incredible four-timer, including scoring in the feature race the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle as Nichols Canyon proved his doubters wrong to win. Gold Cup Day The final day of The Festival sees one of the most sought-after titles in racing and always promises to provide the greatest spectacle. The Timico Gold Cup is a race associated with the elite of the sport and nothing can rival the Cheltenham roar as the horses charge up the famous hill. The 2017 race was won in style by the Jessica Harrington-trained Sizing John at 7/1 ridden by Robbie Power in a thrilling race fending off challenges from Native River and Minella Rocco. SATURDAY 24 The Boat Races, River Thames The Championship Course - Putney to Mortlake The Boat Race course, known as The Championship Course is 4 miles, 374 yards or 6.8 km long. It stretches between Putney and Mortlake on the River Thames in south west London. This course was first used for The Boat Race in 1845 and has been used for every Race since; apart from 1846, 1856 and 1863 when the race was held in the opposite direction between Mortlake and Putney. The Fulham/Chiswick side of the course is known as the Middlesex side. The Putney/Barnes side of the course is known as the Surrey side. The Boat Race is rowed upstream, but is timed to start on the incoming “flood” tide. The Men’s Boat Race is an hour and a half before high tide, with The Women’s Boat Race a further hour before so that the crews are rowing with the fastest possible current. Oxford Men’s reserve boat is called Isis whilst Cambridge’s is called Goldie. They will race half an hour before the Blue Boats. The women’s reserve crews are Osiris (Oxford) and Blondie (Cambridge). Cambridge cr