Gavin Sheehan: Cheltenham Festival reflections plus Saturday rides
By Gavin Sheehan
Last Updated: Sun 23 Mar 2025
Top jockey Gavin Sheehan, who is sixth in the David Power Jockeys' Cup leaderboard with 188 points, reflects on Wendigo's luckless effort at the Cheltenham Festival plus shares the inside track on his rides on Saturday (weather permitting!).
It has been a good week so far with a winner each day, and Jamie Snowden’s horses are in flying form. I haven’t been up to anything too exciting this week as I’ve been racing every day, but it has certainly been a successful few days!
I didn’t manage to secure any David Power Jockeys’ Cup points at the Cheltenham Festival last week, but Wendigo ran a cracker in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
He was badly hampered after the second last, and that stopped any sort of chance he had. He would have finished third without that interference. I’m not sure if he will head to Aintree, but he’s a nice horse for the future.
I did manage to gain a few points on Saturday in the Midlands Grand National aboard Passing Well, though, and he ran a massive race to finish third. He was also placed in the Eider and the Surrey National this season, and is a brilliant servant.
I’m currently sixth in the David Power Jockeys’ Cup, but I only have two rides at Bangor on Saturday, and only one of those – Milldam in the 1.35 (Alfa Aggregates Products Handicap Hurdle) - is on ITV.
If he does run, then that means the ground will be in his favour, and I would give him a small chance of sneaking a place, but he needs the rain to arrive, and isn’t certain to line-up.
My other ride – Record High in the 3.27 (Broxton Gates Handicap Chase) - is another relying on the rain arriving. He would have a chance if conditions suit, but it could be a blank Saturday for me if he also doesn’t run. Some weekends work out great, and some don’t. Hopefully next Saturday will be more productive.
We are in the closing stages of the David Power Jockeys’ Cup now, and I’m hoping Ben Jones or Charlie Deutsch don’t catch me for sixth place. They are both in seventh with 152 points, and I am all guns blazing as there’s a lot of money on offer.
All the riders in the weighing room have been chatting about the competition every time there has been a race on ITV this season, and it is amazing how happy a jockey can be for finishing fourth, whereas you’re usually disappointed if you’re beaten.
I am already eyeing a nice holiday in the sun with my partner Immy, and young son Teddy, once the season has finished, so any David Power Jockeys' Cup prize money secured will come in very handy!
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