Istabraq in the winner's enclosure - Trainer Aidan O'Brien on the far right

Not only did Istabraq join a select band of triple winners of the Champion Hurdle but, having won the Royal & Sun Alliance Hurdle Victory in 1997, he was effectively winning at his fourth consecutive Festival meeting - thus living up to the records of such legendary horses as Arkle, Persian War and Golden Miller. Istabraq, being a half brother to the Derby winner Secreto, was bred to shine on the flat, but he has unquestionably found his true metier and we can thank his connections for that. Reading between the lines of information that occasionally escapes from Ballydoyle, it is evident that Istabraq is not an easy horse to train and Aidan O'Brien and his team go to extraordinary lengths to avoid anything that could cause the horse any disturbance - he is quite simply treated like royalty. Istabraq is also blessed with an owner (the legendary gambler JP McManus) who has the good sense to trust his trainer's judgement implicitly. As a result, their champion is 'kept sweet' and never exploited.

The winning connections - Jockey Charlie Swan in the middle with J P MacManus (left) and Aidan O'Brien (right)

After the ecstatic reception accorded to Istabraq and his entourage (all the way from the winning post to the unsaddling enclosure) it didn't require a great stretch of imagination to visualise the whole scene being re-enacted in 2001. If it doesn't happen, it will not be because the horse has been 'taken to the well' once too often. Resisting the obvious temptation to gather the rich rewards available at Liverpool and Punchestown, the horse's connections wisely decided to retire him for the season - their sights being firmly focused on their next Cheltenham Festival raid.

However, not all JP McManus' plans had come to such perfect realisation. His colours were carried by You'll Never Walk Alone in the opener, but he could never stamp his authority on the race. The result was still an Irish triumph, the winner being Sausolito Bay, and one that was well overdue for his persevering trainer, Noel Meade. Having had many horses placed at the Festival over the years, he must have wondered if a winner would ever come. Second was Best Mate, rather unlucky in running, who served notice that trainer Henrietta Knight's horses were in top form … …

Another trainer to shine at the meeting was Nicky Henderson, who scored in the Irish Independent 'Arkle' with Tiutchev in the most impressive manner. The favourite, Decoupage, was let down by his jumping and never put in a serious challenge. Tiutchev took the lead turning into the straight and after a truly brilliant leap at the last, he turned the race into a procession. Despite the lack of competition he still set a new record for the race. It was Nicky Henderson's 21st winner at the Festival over the years, but more were to come, quite shortly in fact.

Tiutchev	Marlborough

Stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald, who had enjoyed a straightforward 'cruise' on Tiutchev, really earned his fee on Marlborough in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap 'Chase - his riding leaving Nicky Henderson short of superlatives. Marlborough is no sinecure and although he is a horse that has always promised much, he has had problems with his jumping. This time, however, Mick confirmed that he put in a near perfect round and his natural talent did the rest. Marlborough also won in a record time - in fact, he was the first 'chaser ever to jump the 3 mile 1 furlong course in under six minutes.

The second day of the Festival took place in brilliant sunshine and the quality of the racing more than matched the weather!

Monsignor

Expectations were running high for Mark Pitman's exciting young horse, Monsignor, in the Royal & Sun Alliance Hurdle. His unbeaten record showed six victories over hurdles and it was obvious that his connections did not really entertain the possibility of defeat! After a false start (over-eager jockeys caused great problems throughout the meeting - surely it is time for the Jockey Club to intervene?), Norman Williamson settled his horse in behind the leading group and was able to pick up the lead after the second last when, in effect, the race was over. A great jump at the last made his victory a formality and a jubilant Norman Williamson had some compensation for inexplicably losing his Gold Cup ride on Looks Like Trouble on the Thursday. Whilst Williamson wasn't to win the Gold Cup in the year 2000, he clearly believes he will win it on Monsignor in a year or two. His connections were understandably ecstatic because this is surely one of the most promising young horses seen for years (although we must not forget last year's hero, Barton, who has been sidelined for a season). It was no surprise to hear that Monsignor had finished over 4 seconds inside the track record!

The buzz of excitement after Monsignor's thrilling performance had not abated before the stars of the 2 mile 'chasing scene were making their way into the parade ring. Last year's winner, Call Equiname, was not among them. He has a rather fragile constitution and has yet to recapture his sparkle of '99. His young stable companion, Flagship Uberalles, on the other hand, had put in some impressive performances en route to Cheltenham, both in victory and defeat, and invariably looks magnificent. He had been favourite for some time to give trainer Paul Nicholls a double in the race but the drying ground had turned in favour of his two chief adversaries, Edredon Blue, trained by Henrietta Knight, and Direct Route from Howard Johnson's stable. The latter had been set aside for the race and had enjoyed a carefully planned season with the aim of improving on his 3rd place in 1999 and to take the Championship.

The clash of these superb horses not only proved to be the race of the meeting - but surely one of the greatest races ever seen at Cheltenham. It is hard to imagine anything better. Steeplechasing over a stiff 2 miles at Cheltenham asks a supreme question of any horse. There is not the possibility of giving a horse a 'breather'- the pace is relentless and fast - jumping must be quick and completely faultless. Evidently the chief protagonists had read their scripts because the three horses came down the hill with the race between them.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy had led from the start on Edredon Blue, dictating at a good pace, but approaching the second last his two main adversaries were preparing to take him on. Flagship Uberalles sealed his fate by hitting the fence and landing on his nose, but rallied nevertheless. Direct Route challenged Edredon Bleu on the outside and coming to the last there was everything to play for and three horses almost in a line. No quarter would be given and they each responded with a perfect jump, but Edredon Bleu and Direct Route were quicker away and, necks outstretched, they ran for the line. Direct Route definitely had his head in front at one stage, but Edredon Bleu simply would not be denied and fought back. Norman Williamson was riding his 'finish' on Direct Route virtually without reins as they had been snatched out of his hands at the last fence, but it made no difference. His horse gave everything and ran as straight as a bullet. In the end, Edredon Bleu won 'on the nod' by the proverbial nostril.

The epic battle between (L-R) Edredon Bleu, Direct Route & Flagship Uberalles

Tony McCoy is not usually a particularly expressive jockey but he could not contain his great joy in this particular victory, standing up in his irons he exhorted the crowd to cheer the horse. Henrietta Knight and her husband, ex-Champion Jockey Terry Biddlecombe, tearfully greeted their hero. It was undoubtedly one of the proudest moments of he life when Lord Vestey called her forward (announcing her as his 'sister-in-law') to receive her trophy from the Queen Mother. In her 99th Year Her Majesty still takes an obvious pleasure in National Hunt racing and has watched many great horses over the years, but surely she never saw a better race for the Champion 'Chase that carries her name.

Afterwards, the still exuberant Tony McCoy could hardly contain himself. Saying " …the horse never missed a fence - he jumped everything and fought back when Direct Route headed him …"; he then added "It was the best race I've ever ridden in - or ever will!"

Tony McCoy's ambition at the beginning of the season had been to win The Queen Mother Champion 'Chase - having finished second two years running. Without doubt, the possibility of finishing second best crossed his mind at some point after the last fence, but, in true Champion style, it was instantly dismissed.

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