The biggest event in this year’s jumping season gets underway in a couple of weeks when Cheltenham Festival returns for the 2018 season.
We’ve picked out 10 horses who came so close to winning at the great festival, only to be pipped in the latter stages of the race.
Ferrans, 1939 Newent Selling Chase
Ferrans equalled the record for the oldest horse to ever win at Cheltenham Festival as a 15-year old in the Newent Selling Chase in 1937 and he went very close to setting a new one at the age of 17 in 1939.
He was running in his seventh consecutive festival and was on course for another win in the handicap had he not been carrying a penalty. Ferrans eventually came second, beaten by a length and a half by Pendragon.
Stroller, 1955 Champion Hurdle
This was one of the festival’s greatest ever races and was fought out by Stroller, ridden by TP Burns, and Clair Soleil ridden by Fred Winter. Stroller was leading on the final hill, but in what would now be described as a photo finish, came second to Clair Soleil by a head.
However, Stroller earned redemption the following year as he won in the Spa (now Stayers’) Hurdle.
Baulking Green, 1968 United Hunt’s Chase
15-year old Baulking Green helped set the pace in the United Hunt’s Chase as he looked to win the race for the fifth time, but by the time he reached the final fence, he was sat in third. However, that didn’t deter him and he made a late rally to win, but it was a case of too little too late and Snowdra Queen won by a head.
Snowdra Queen, trained by Jackie Brutton, also won the race in 1966 and was the first horse to win a race in Britain that was officially trained by a woman.
Kinloch Brae, 1972 Kim Muir Memorial Chase
Kinloch Brae was the champion chaser of 1969-70 and would have been a favourite for the Gold Cup, had he not fallen while in the lead.
Two years later, he was on the decline and ready to stud, but ran in the Kim Muir. He led most of the way, but he weighed in pre-race at 12st 7lb, which ultimately cost him on the final straight. Nowadays, the maximum weight entry is 11st 12lb.
Summerville, 1977 Cheltenham Gold Cup
The 1977 Gold Cup saw the first two favourites fall at the ninth fence, with Lanzarote slipping up and taking out Bannow Rambler. Sadly, Lanzarote suffered fatal injuries as a result of the collision.
Summerville’s best days were behind him, but somehow found himself in the lead on the turn home. As he was leading, he broke down and finished in third place behind Davy Lad and Tied Cottage. This was his last race.
Mayotte, 1983 Stayers’ Hurdle
The 1983 Stayers’ Hurdle was far from a classic, but Mayotte put in an excellent performance, although not enough to finish ahead of 50-1 outsider A Kinsman, who won by three-quarters of a length.
Mayotte was one of the few fillies in the race and had to put on weight to ensure that she was able to run in the race. The following year, a sex allowance was put in place which saw Dawn Run win the Champion Hurdle.
Mysilv, 1996 Stayers’ Hurdle
Mysilv ran two races at Cheltenham in 1996, which possibly cost her a win in the 1996 Stayers’ Hurdle. She finished sixth in the Champion Hurdle two days before and was a close second in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Having said that, she was outstanding in the first half of the race and it wasn’t until the final 100 yards that Cyborgo eventually overtook her to win by three-quarters of a length.
Monet’s Garden, 2006 Arkle Chase
The grey, Monet’s Garden, was renowned for his determination and desire to race against superior opponents and he did just that in 2006. He was second to Voy Per Ustedes at the final fence and although he didn’t win the race, he managed to finish within a length and a quarter to come second.
Top Notch, 2015 Triumph Hurdle
Nicky Henderson trained the first three in this race and Top Notch was the ultimate fighter as he raced down the final straight behind Peace and Co. He was beaten, but it was one of the most thrilling finishes the Triumph Hurdle has seen in recent years.
Despite having some famous stablemates, Top Notch has finished fifth in the Champion Hurdle, second in the JLT Novices’ Chase and is a good tip for a first Cheltenham win in this year’s Ryanair Chase.
Fox Norton, 2017 Queen Mother Champion Chase
Despite not winning, Special Tiara and Fox Norton served up a classic finish in last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham. With three fences left to jump, Fox Norton looked to be outpaced but made an astonishing recovery on the final turn. He narrowly missed out and was beaten by a head, but Fox Norton is another to have a look at in this year’s Ryanair Chase.
