As we approach the 2011 Cheltenham Festival it is refreshing to note that the major prizes are all going to be well contested this year with none of them a foregone conclusion as has happened in past years.
Kauto Star, Master Minded, Denman, Big Bucks and Binocular have all been very much part of a golden generation within National Hunt racing – probably one of the best that we have seen in racing for many a year, taking racing off the back pages and quite often onto the front pages. It's a time of year when even the most dedicated of sports betting punters switches to the horses for a flutter.
All of this has been a privilege for the committed and casual racegoer alike but there is like everything in life a relentless march of time and all of that dictates that it may well be that we have seen the best of both Denman and Kauto Star who will both be 11 this year and we all know that horses of that age have struggled to land Gold Cups in the past. Master Minded can point to one phenomenal performance at Chletenham in 2008 but he's never run to that level again and will face a competitive Champion Chase field.
Big Bucks was one Festival favourite (World Hurdle) who looked rock solid but even he now has the look of a horse who will be challenged for his crown by the fast improving and emerging stayer Grand Crus. With Binocular facing one of the strongest Champion Hurdle fields for many years it looks as though many of the old favourites of the game will be under pressure this year and the Champion Hurdle betting reflects this.
But unlike on the flat where the stars are often retired before they can be beaten or be exposed to another generation, these National Hunt stars go down fighting on the race track, giving their exploits even more substance and credence.
A yankee on Binocular, Master Minded, Big Buck's and Imperial Commander is certain to be a popular Cheltenham bet, but beware the march of time and consider that 2011 could be the year of change at Cheltenham.
