It was a year for the bookies the celebrate in 2010, as a number of longer odds runners left the short priced favourites in the places, and left the punters with holes in their pockets.
In fact, it was the best year for bookmakers on record, as just four favourites managed to win their races across all four days of the festival. Several six figure losing bets were reported, meaning a bumper payday for the people taking bets.
On the course itself, there was plenty of drama to entertain the crowds.
On day 1, AP McCoy could hardly contain his joy after winning the Champion Hurdle with Binocular, a horse that he had such faith in last year but came up short, hugging the animal after he dismounted.
The 10 year old, Albertas Run, shocked everyone by winning the Ryanair Chase for a second year in a row, despite starting at odds of 14/1, while Bertie’s Dream was one of the longest odds winners of the festival, coming in at 33/1 to take the Spa Novices’ Hurdle.
As for the Gold Cup itself, everyone came to see a battle between, Kauto Star, the winner in 2007 and 2009, and Denman, the winner in 2008. Such was the hype around these two that the other runners were often forgotten, but it was 3rd favourite, Imperial Commander, that beat them both.
Ruby Walsh might have been top jockey, but it was Sam Twiston-Davies that had people talking, after he won the Foxhunter Challenge Cup atop Baby Run at just 17 years of age, and Nicky Henderson bagged himself another year as top trainer. his first since 2000.
16th March 2010 – Day One (Champion Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | Supreme Novices' Hurdle | Menorah | 12/1 |
J: Richard Johnson
T: Philip Hobbs
|
| 14:05 | Arkle Challenge Trophy | Sizing Europe | 6/1 |
J: A E Lynch
T: H De Bromhead
|
| 14:40 | Festival Trophy Handicap Chase | Chief Dan George | 33/1 |
J: Paddy Aspell
T: James Moffatt
|
| 15:20 | The Champion Hurdle | Binocular | 9/1 |
J: A P McCoy
T: N J Henderson
|
| 16:00 | Cross Country Chase | A New Story | 25/1 |
J: A P Heskin
T: Michael Hourigan
|
| 16:40 | Mares' Hurdle | Quevega | 6/4 F |
J: Ruby Walsh
T: W P Mullins
|
17th March 2010 – Day Two (Ladies’ Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | National Hunt Chase | Poker De Sivola | 14/1 |
J: Ms K Walsh
T: Ferdy Murphy
|
| 14:05 | Ballymore Novices' Hurdle | Peddlers Cross | 7/1 |
J: Jason Maguire
T: Donald McCain
|
| 14:40 | Brown Advisory Novices' Chase | Weapon's Amnesty | 10/1 |
J: Davy Russell
T: C Byrnes
|
| 15:20 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Big Zeb | 10/1 |
J: Barry Geraghty
T: Colm Murphy
|
| 16:00 | BetMGM Cup | Spirit River | 14/1 |
J: Barry Geraghty
T: N J Henderson
|
| 16:40 | Juvenile Novices' Hurdle | Sanctuaire | 4/1 F |
J: Ruby Walsh
T: P F Nicholls
|
| 17:15 | Champion Bumper | Cue Card | 40/1 |
J: Joe Tizzard
T: C Tizzard
|
18th March 2010 – Day Three (St. Patrick’s Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | Novices' Handicap Chase | Copper Bleu | 12/1 |
J: Richard Johnson
T: Philip Hobbs
|
| 14:05 | Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle | Buena Vista | 16/1 |
J: Hadden Frost
T: D Pipe
|
| 14:40 | Ryanair Chase | Albertas Run | 14/1 |
J: A P McCoy
T: Jonjo O'Neill
|
| 15:20 | The Stayers' Hurdle | Big Buck's | 5/6 F |
J: Ruby Walsh
T: P F Nicholls
|
| 16:00 | Plate Handicap Chase | Great Endeavour | 18/1 |
J: Danny Cook
T: D Pipe
|
| 16:40 | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Ballabriggs | 9/1 |
J: Mr R O Harding
T: Donald McCain
|
19th March 2010 – Day Four (Gold Cup Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | JCB Triumph Hurdle | Soldatino | 6/1 |
J: Barry Geraghty
T: N J Henderson
|
| 14:40 | Spa Novices' Hurdle | Berties Dream | 33/1 |
J: A E Lynch
T: Paul John Gilligan
|
| 15:20 | The Cheltenham Gold Cup | Imperial Commander | 7/1 |
J: Paddy Brennan
T: N Twiston-Davies
|
| 16:00 | Foxhunter Challenge Cup | Baby Run | 9/2 J |
J: Sam Twiston-Davies
T: N Twiston-Davies
|
| 16:40 | Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle | Pause And Clause | 14/1 |
J: Johnny Farrelly
T: Emma Lavelle
|
| 17:15 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase | Pigeon Island | 16/1 |
J: Paddy Brennan
T: N Twiston-Davies
|