WITH so much focus centred around the Cheltenham Festival, where better than to start my diary.

A team of 35 horses were readied to run over the four days. Tuesday was a slow day with only five runners, following the blow that Old Guard was ruled out of the Champion Hurdle. We had a luckless afternoon until the final race of the day, when Bouvreuil ran a fine race in the Novice Handicap Chase.

A strong traveller, Bouvreuil jumped the last narrowly in front before gamely going down by a half a length to Ballyalton. For me it was a bittersweet result, with the winner being by Pierre, whom we stood at home over the past two decades.

So a good end to the day and we sensed that Wednesday was when it was going to turn around. We had seven runners headed by the reigning champion chaser Dodging Bullets and the highly promising Diego Du Charmil. Sadly it wasn’t to be for Dodge, who ran creditably after a troubled season but hopes were high for the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle.

There were a lot high hopes for Diego, who had headed the market ever since the weights were released three weeks ago. A big son of Ballingarry, he was given an ultra-confident ride by Sam Twiston-Davies, he travelled strongly throughout and held on up the hill to beat the strong staying Romain De Senam in a driving finish. A one-two for the yard, with Romain just failing in the shadow of the post.

It was a fantastic result for the yard and a great training performance to win with a horse having his first run in the country. I believe both horses will have big futures as they go forward. It was great for Diego’s owners, Johnny De La Hey, who earlier in the season had their first Grade 1 winner and now they have their first Cheltenham festival victory too – hopefully the first of many.

A perfect end to the second day and as we turned to Thursday, hopes were high, with Saphir Du Rheu and Aux Ptit Soins lining up in the World Hurdle. Arpege D’Alene almost got the day going well when finishing a close second in the Pertempts Final under Sean Bowen.

The World Hurdle turned into a precession for the Colin Tizzard-trained Thistlecrack, but Aux Ptit Soins, having his first run in over a year, travelled well for much of the journey for Nick Schofield before getting tired up the hill. Big targets lie ahead for him in the spring.

VICTORIA PROVES THEM WRONG

Finally Gold Cup day was upon us and I was very lucky to get to attend on this day. A busy day for the stable with 13 runners no less. We saddled five in the Triumph but we were out of luck. Pacha Du Polder ran a blinder in the Foxhunter under Victiora Pendleton to prove her doubters wrong. The pair finished a close running on fifth.

The next race was the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys race and we ran three. Qualando was the choice of Harry Cobden, but it was Ibis Du Rheu, a half-brother to Saphir, by the exciting young sire Blue Bresil that proved the best.

Ridden by Jack Sherwood, he stayed on powerfully up the hill to win going away at the line. Owned by long standing patrons of Paul’s, Mr and Mrs John Hales, he has been a progressive horse this season and hopefully he can continue to improve for the good ground.

Jack Sherwood, son of Gold Cup winning jockey Simon, has worked for us for three seasons now and he was a hugely popular winner, everyone in the yard was delighted for Jack. And the day continued to get better.

We had one runner, in the shape of Solar Impulse, in the Grand Annual. Running in first time blinkers, he had been kept through the winter off of the bad ground and he showed much improved form on the drying ground to run out a going away winner. It was a bit of a surprise at 28/1 but it was a great way to round of the meeting. Three winners saw the yard finish second in the trainers title behind the runaway winner Willie Mullins.

For the staff, the week begun on a lighter note. On the Monday evening before Cheltenham, we ran a racing themed pub quiz, kindly sponsored by Betfair. Brilliantly organised by Tommy and Harry, there was the usual good turnout.

The four winning teams were kindly given free bets of various value by Betfair. It was great fun – a good way to start the week.

KELSO

A couple of weeks ago I headed to Kelso with two runners, Unioniste and Le Prezien. I travelled with Le Prezien’s groom Channon and we headed off on Friday for the racing on Saturday. Upon arriving I bumped into James Griffin and his runner, Maggio. I hadn’t seen James in a while so it was good have a catch up.

Unfortunately we woke up to 24ml of rain, which wasn’t forecast and the racecourse was waterlogged. So following an unplanned 8am inspection, the meeting was postponed. Myself, James and Channon headed for breakfast before I made the eight hour journey home. All was not lost though, as on the Tuesday, we learned the meeting was to be rescheduled for Sunday, March 13th. We re-entered Unioniste and Le Prezien and headed back to the Scottish borders. This time I had the company of Dawn Holley and Adam Ferguson.

Unioniste, having his last run before the Crabbies Grand National, had the task of meeting Many Clouds, who made all under Leighton Aspell, but Unioniste ran very well and finished a good second. All roads now lead to Aintree.

Thirty five minutes later and it was the turn of Le Prezien in the Grade 2 Premier Hurdle. He is a smashing horse who has improved with every run and this was no exception. He travelled well in the tacky ground and quickened well from the back of the last to win well. Owned by the Million in Mind syndicate, and Blue Bresil, he was having his third victory of the season and he will likely go to the Doncaster May sales.

As always in Kelso the winning horse is awarded a sack of carrots. All credit must go to Kelso for saving the meeting and a great crowd turned out to see the headline act, Many Clouds, winning in style,

This weekend racing comes from Haydock and the first meeting for the year at Newton Abbot. For more information on Paul’s runners check out Paul’s Betfair blog at https://betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/.