Sporting Life has released a video highlighting the most iconic moment in this year’s edition of the Cheltenham Festival.
Rachael Blackmore’s stunning Champion Hurdle win on the hugely anticipated Irish racehorse Honeysuckle was one of the key highlights of the festival.
In a huge week for her career, the jump-jockey from County Tipperary secured five wins throughout the festival – including two on one day – claiming the Champion Bumper, Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, the Ryanair Chase and the Triumph Hurdle.
Another notable highlight from the festival was Tiger Roll. The two-time Grand National winning Irish thoroughbred stormed to victory in the Glenfarclas Chase, securing his fifth Cheltenham win. Tiger Roll’s success last week as reinvigorated hopes for the horse’s chances at the upcoming Grand National in April.
A number of outsiders also managed to claim wins at this year’s event, with Heaven Help Us coming in at 33/1 in the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, whilst the race’s 6/1 favorite, Grand Roi, finished in a disappointing 12th place.
However, the biggest shock of the week was Jeff Kidder, who cruised to victory in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at a tremendous 80/1, likely putting a dent in many punters accumulators, but resulting in big payouts for the lucky few who dared to place a single wager.
This year’s festival was the most watched since records began in 2003, drawing in an average viewership base of 1.1 million on the opening day, with 1.5 million tuning in to watch Rachael Blackmore’s Champion Hurdle victory.
The upsurge in viewership is most likely a result of the number of people working from home and in furlough to COVID-19 restrictions, whilst an absence of spectators and an expansion of ITV’s coverage from five races to six also contributed.
Finally, a notable punter this year who featured in sporting news around the country was Paul Dean, who cashed out £250,000 on his accumulator. The customer had the foresight to collect his winnings before backing Envoi Allen, the favourite who fell in the Marsh Novices Chase on day three of the festival.
Source – Sporting Life YouTube Channel.
