Before I go on, let me just state that I have nothing against the Cheltenham Festival. I have been on numerous occasions and sincerely love the place. I even stayed for ten races on the Thursday of 2008; the day Master Minded produced THAT performance and Inglis Drever won his third World Hurdle.
The atmosphere on a day such as this years Gold Cup Friday is like no other event I have attended, and is one that every sports fan, whether racing inclined or not, should experience at least once.
National Hunt used to be my bag. I seemed to do well on the betting side, I actually enjoyed going racing in the wintry weather and there was no better sight than watching a top class horse sneaking into contention three of four obstacles out as their rivals tread water and eventually drown before the last.
That’s now changed.
I fell out of 'real' love with National Hunt racing about the time of Kauto Star’s second Gold Cup victory. Perverse I know. Obviously I still keep up with the goings on of the game and I still get excited when I see a high-class performance.
I watched the Hennessey this year with the same enthusiasm as I always have. Impressed with Diamond Harry, I wondered where he might turn up next - then I realised one of the reasons why I fell out of love with the jumping game.
The phrase: "The horse will now head straight to Cheltenham".
Over the last few years, this has become an increasingly annoying trait and I sort of understand why.
The Cheltenham Festival is THE festival. No matter what the connections' history or stature within the game, EVERYONE wants a winner at Cheltenham in March.
I'm not saying this is a bad thing. If I were an owner then I'd be exactly the same. I'd be pushing my trainer to prime my horse for Cheltenham where the money's good and the prestige even better.
But what about the fans that want to see these animals compete, the fans who are being starved of high quality racing and not just because of the weather!
Racing for Change have messed around with tradition and the flat fixture list by switching Champions Day from its spiritual home. But to me, the flat season isn't broken.
There is no 'Cheltenham' of the flat season, the one target for all to hit. There are plenty. We are almost spoiled for choice.
It rolls off the tongue - Guineas, Chester, York, The Derby, Royal Ascot, The Eclipse, Glorious Goodwood, York, The Leger, The Arc, Champions Day, Breeders' Cup.
There's something for everyone in that list with plenty more in between.
I know the stresses and strains of five furlongs at York are in stark contrast to a three mile slog around Prestbury, but horses have always ran - that's what they do is it not?
Some horses are best fresh, I don't argue that fact, but not to the extent that we are hearing the "straight to the festival" quote.
The trends highlight that horses that head straight to the festival without a run in that calendar year have a dismal record - although that may be skewed this year due to the sheer amount of "fresh" horses lining up.
Like I said, I don't blame the trainers or other connections, but in my opinion the powers that be at Racing for Change need to look at the structure of the jumps season to offer more incentives to run horses.
One things for sure - barring injury - you won't hear Henry Cecil stating that Frankel goes "straight to Longchamp" after he waltzes away with the Guineas in May – there’s too many short term targets to hit before thinking of the long term.
Gavin Dobson, December 2010
Twitter: @gav_dobson
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