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Cheltenham Festival 2023: enjoy Lydia and Ruby's daily wraps

Sun 19 Mar 2023

With a memorable four days now at a close, relive a brilliant Cheltenham Festival with expert analysis from Ruby Walsh and Lydia Hislop on all four days as well these mini highlights packages.

Day one highlights

"One of those great days where you'll always say: 'I was there.'"

Ruby sums it up best - and believes punters won't be quick to complain about the price of a pint of Guinness! - after one of the great days in recent Cheltenham Festival history and a remarkable start to the 2023 meeting.

Constitution Hill was magnificent in the Champion Hurdle and Lydia and Ruby look back at the championship highlight in full - and could he just go well in an Ascot Gold Cup? - but it was Honeysuckle to take top billing on the opening Road To Cheltenham wrap after signing off a remarkable career in scintillating style in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle.

What an afternoon, and here Ruby and Lydia relive it

Our top team describe just what it was like to be there, while Ruby pertinently points to the 'humanity' in the Cheltenham winner's enclosure on a truly memorable afternoon.

Riding sensation Mikey O'Sullivan and repeat Ultima winner Corach Rambler are just two more topics of conversation on a day full of great stories.

Day two highlights

Energumene was the star of the show in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and Ruby and Lydia give their full debrief on the championship highlight.

Impaire Et Passe initiated that Willie Mullins double with a fine performance in the Ballymore and it's tempting to think what he might be capable of next season and beyond. Could he make into a Champion Hurdle horse next season or come back in trip for the Arkle? Of those two options, Ruby has a firm view!

Ruby and Lydia provide all the lowdown from a soggy Cheltenham on day two

A Dream To Share was arguably the stpory of the day, earning Grade One honours for 85-year-old John Kiely with John Gleeson - still at school - in the saddle on his first ride at the Cheltenham Festival. Ruby couldn't be happier for the Kielys and explains why here, while Sam Twiston-Davies' ride on The Real Whacker comes in for praise from our Road To Cheltenham duo.

Day three highlights

It was redemption for Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase as the former star proved the super-sub for the absent Allaho for owners Cheveley Park and continued a fine week for trainer Henry de Bromhead and jockey Rachael Blackmore. We can all see the narrative arc here but don't overlook the merit of the training performance here, urges Ruby. Interesting thoughts from our man too on Shishkin and whether some headgear might no go amiss in future...

The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle threw up a big surprise in a race not short of drama. Lydia and Ruby look at all of the protagonists, the merit of their respective runs and offer views on the subsequent stewards' enquiry that demoted second-past-the-post Dashel Drasher to third.

Ruby, former housemate Sam Curling and the case of the missing Playstation!

Paul Nicholls ended his Festival drought as Stage Star triumphed in a first winner here for the champion trainer since Politologue landed the 2020 Champion Chase, while John McConnell and Sam Curling trained their first Festival winners with Plate winner Seddon and Kim Muir victor Angels Daw nand our duo give their reaction to both.

And can She Wears It Well go over fences next season, asks Ruby!

Day four highlights

Galopin Des Champs delivered in magnificent style and in a fantastic race to land the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup from Bravemansgame in a wonderful Festival highlight.

Lydia and Ruby comment on the spectacle of the great race, share their views on the performances of all the leading contenders and can't help but have a small look ahead. With Galopin Des Champs only a seven-year-old, is it too much to hope that he can come back and do something similar again next year?

Don't miss Ruby at the end here sharing his highlight of Festival week.

Our team share all you need to know after a fantastic Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

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