Given that this was the first Cheltenham Festival since the turn of the century, thanks to the 2001 event being cancelled, there were high hopes from bookies and organisers alike in 2002.
It was an exceptional festival too, full of drama and surprises, and none bigger than when Hors La Loi III won the Champion Hurdle. Istabraq was favourite in the race having won it the previous 3 years, but the horse was pulled up early on and subsequently retired. One man had a £500 bet on him winning for a 4th time at 66/1 – ouch.
While Istabraq’s winning streak was brought to an end, Best Mate’s 3 year Gold Cup streak was just beginning. He won the prestigious race from the biggest field in 20 years. He didn’t make himself known until there was only about half a circuit left, but this was a tactical move from Jim Culloty in the saddle, who kept his horse fresh for the final push.
Bookies were pleased with three long odds winners on Day 2, causing something of a wipe out for punters. Ilnamar and Blowing Wind won their races at 25/1, while Hussard Collonges did the business in the Novices’ Chase at even longer odds of 33/1. Flagship Uberalles won the Queen Mother as the favourite, but apart from him, the shortest odds winning horse on Day 2 was 10/1.
Punters weren’t the only ones suffering. AP McCoy, one of the festival’s greatest jockeys, took a nasty tumble on Day 2 resulting in his horse having to be euthanised. He didn’t manage a win until the penultimate race of the festival, almost resulting in a whitewash for the famous rider. As a favourite of Martin Pipe, this also meant that, despite being top trainer with 3 wins, the well known trainer had a disappointing festival too.
12th March 2002 – Day One
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | Supreme Novices' Hurdle | Like-A-Butterfly | 9/4 F |
J: Charlie Swan
T: C Roche
|
| 14:35 | Arkle Challenge Trophy | Moscow Flyer | 11/2 |
J: Barry Geraghty
T: Mrs John Harrington
|
| 15:15 | The Champion Hurdle | Hors La Loi III | 10/1 |
J: D Gallagher
T: James Fanshawe
|
| 15:55 | Festival Trophy Handicap Chase | Frenchman's Creek | 8/1 |
J: Paul Carberry
T: H Morrison
|
| 16:30 | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | The Bushkeeper | 9/2 F |
J: Dave Crosse
T: N J Henderson
|
| 17:05 | Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle | Freetown I | 20/1 |
J: Tony Dobbin
T: L Lungo
|
13th March 2002 – Day Two
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | Ballymore Novices' Hurdle | Galileo | 12/1 |
J: Jason Maguire
T: T George
|
| 14:35 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Flagship Uberalles | 7/4 F |
J: Richard Johnson
T: Philip Hobbs
|
| 15:15 | BetMGM Cup | Ilnamar | 25/1 |
J: Rodi Greene
T: D Pipe
|
| 15:55 | Brown Advisory Novices' Chase | Hussard Collonges | 33/1 |
J: Russ Garritty
T: P Beaumont
|
| 16:30 | National Hunt Chase | Rith Dubh | 10/1 |
J: Mr J T McNamara
T: Jonjo O'Neill
|
| 17:05 | Plate Handicap Chase | Blowing Wind | 25/1 |
J: Ruby Walsh
T: D Pipe
|
| 17:40 | Champion Bumper | Pizarro | 14/1 |
J: Jamie Spencer
T: E J O'Grady
|
14th March 2002 – Day Three
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | JCB Triumph Hurdle | Scolardy | 16/1 |
J: Charlie Swan
T: W P Mullins
|
| 14:35 | The Stayers' Hurdle | Baracouda | 13/8 F |
J: T Doumen
T: F Doumen
|
| 15:15 | The Cheltenham Gold Cup | Best Mate | 7/1 |
J: Jim Culloty
T: Henrietta C Knight
|
| 15:55 | Foxhunter Challenge Cup | Last Option | 20/1 |
J: Mrs F Needham
T: R Tate
|
| 16:30 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase | Fadoudal Du Cochet | 6/1 |
J: D J Casey
T: A L T Moore
|
| 17:05 | Cathcart Challenge Cup | Royal Auclair | 2/1 F |
J: A P McCoy
T: D Pipe
|
| 17:40 | County Handicap Hurdle | Rooster Booster | 8/1 |
J: Richard Johnson
T: Philip Hobbs
|