Steve Mellish on Racing TV last Sunday

Last year, we put up with owners saying she couldn’t run, because she was a five-year-old. They were given a pass on that. The real culprits here are Cheltenham, the second it went four days, they watered down the Festival and this is prime example. If you give easier options, you can’t really blame connections for taking them. Don’t give them the choice. If we didn’t have a Ryanair – Fact To File in the Gold Cup, Il Est Francais and Gaelic Warrior in the Champion Chase. It’s Cheltenham’s fault, they did it for money. Eventually, people will get fed up being presented with odds-on favourite after odds-on favourite in watered down races.

Johnny Hamilton@SwissKrono_JH

Maybe it was best Lossiemouth missed the carnage and all horses were okay, but they certainly didn’t do the right thing for racing IMO. I understand what their argument is, but you don’t win Champion Hurdles unless you run in them. Well done Golden Ace. Great day.

CB@ConorByers

The worst thing about it was they didn’t just ruin the Champion, they ruined what would’ve been a great betting race in the mares’ too. Two day 1 races effectively ruined in one move.

Geoff Banks@geoffbanksbet

Cheltenham has to focus on what happens on the pitch. A handful of trainers are carving it up for their glorification. Entries must be established no later than one month before the festival. To allow for marketing of feature events. To restore ante-post betting and interest.

Racing Tv@RacingTV

Envoi Allen appreciation post

Seven runs at the Cheltenham Festival

Three wins (Champion Bumper, Turners & Ryanair)

One second (Ryanair)

Two thirds (Champion Chase & Ryanair)