It’s fair to say that 2006 will not go down as one of the most enjoyable festivals in Cheltenham’s history.
Arctic winds made for uncomfortable conditions as punters shivered through the second running of the newly structured 4 day festival, and it felt a little drawn out by all accounts.
The festival was also marred by a series of violent robberies on bookmakers attending the festival. The robbers knew they would have lots of cash on them, with one bookie forced off the road on his way home from the festival, and another followed before being robbed at home. This created an uneasy feeling across the 4 days.
On an even more sombre note, the 2006 festival was responsible for the deaths of 11 horses, with 9 killed during racing and another 2 later destroyed due to injuries sustained during their races.
This represented a fatality rate of 1.86% of runners as opposed to the average of 0.5%, and left a dark cloud over an otherwise enjoyable festival, triggering conversations about the need for safety improvements going forwards.
There was also a mix-up in the top trainer award, which was initially given to Nicky Henderson before he was relinquished of it 2 days later, and it was given to Paul Nicholls.
It was a festival full of nasty surprises.
14th March 2006 – Day One (Champion Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | Supreme Novices' Hurdle | Noland | 6/1 |
J: Ruby Walsh
T: P F Nicholls
|
| 14:35 | Arkle Challenge Trophy | Voy Por Ustedes | 15/2 |
J: Robert Thornton
T: A King
|
| 15:15 | The Champion Hurdle | Brave Inca | 7/4 F |
J: A P McCoy
T: Colm Murphy
|
| 16:00 | Festival Trophy Handicap Chase | Dun Doire | 7/1 |
J: Ruby Walsh
T: A J Martin
|
| 16:40 | Cross Country Chase | Native Jack | 7/2 F |
J: Davy Russell
T: P J Rothwell
|
| 17:20 | Juvenile Novices' Hurdle | Shamayoun | 40/1 |
J: Paddy Brennan
T: C Egerton
|
15th March 2006 – Day Two (Ladies’ Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:35 | Ballymore Novices' Hurdle | Nicanor | 17/2 |
J: Paul Carberry
T: N Meade
|
| 14:35 | Brown Advisory Novices' Chase | Star De Mohaison | 14/1 |
J: Barry Geraghty
T: P F Nicholls
|
| 15:15 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Newmill | 16/1 |
J: Andrew J McNamara
T: John Joseph Murphy
|
| 16:00 | BetMGM Cup | Sky's The Limit | 11/1 |
J: Barry Geraghty
T: E J O'Grady
|
| 16:40 | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | You're Special | 33/1 |
J: Mr R O Harding
T: Ferdy Murphy
|
| 17:20 | Champion Bumper | Hairy Molly | 33/1 |
J: Paul Carberry
T: Joseph Crowley
|
16th March 2006 – Day Three (St. Patrick’s Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | Novices' Handicap Chase | Reveillez | 9/2 F |
J: A P McCoy
T: James Fanshawe
|
| 14:35 | Ryanair Chase | Fondmort | 100/30 J |
J: Shane Fitzgerald
T: N J Henderson
|
| 15:15 | The Stayers' Hurdle | My Way De Solzen | 8/1 |
J: Robert Thornton
T: A King
|
| 16:00 | Plate Handicap Chase | Non So | 14/1 |
J: Shane Fitzgerald
T: N J Henderson
|
| 16:40 | National Hunt Chase | Hot Weld | 33/1 |
J: Mr R O Harding
T: Ferdy Murphy
|
| 17:20 | Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle | Kadoun | 50/1 |
J: T G M Ryan
T: J P O'Brien
|
17th March 2006 – Day Four (Gold Cup Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | JCB Triumph Hurdle | Detroit City | 7/2 F |
J: Richard Johnson
T: Philip Hobbs
|
| 14:35 | Spa Novices' Hurdle | Black Jack Ketchum | 1/1 F |
J: A P McCoy
T: Jonjo O'Neill
|
| 15:15 | The Cheltenham Gold Cup | War Of Attrition | 15/2 |
J: Conor O'Dwyer
T: M F Morris
|
| 16:00 | Foxhunter Challenge Cup | Whyso Mayo | 20/1 |
J: Mr D Murphy
T: Raymond Hurley
|
| 16:40 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase | Greenhope | 20/1 |
J: Andrew Tinkler
T: N J Henderson
|
| 17:20 | County Handicap Hurdle | Desert Questl | 4/1 J |
J: Ruby Walsh
T: P F Nicholls
|