Tapenade at Thurles

March 19, 2021

Cheltenham 2021 - Review

The week belongs to Henry De Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore and Jack Kennedy. Minella Indo won the Gold Cup having lost the RSA on the line this time last year. Everyone loves a comeback story and this is one because following that defeat there was a fall at Leopardstown at Christmas and a very ordinary run in February. I thought he was very overrated and even though he fit the age range (the last 3 winners of the race were 7 or 8 years old), I over looked him for Al Boum Photo. Funnily enough it had the feel of when Al Boum Photo won in 2019 because there wasn't a lot of talk about him. I still expected him to be beaten even when he flew the last but A Plus Tard couldn't run him down. He proved me and the doubters wrong today by adding the top prize in National Hunt racing to that narrow second last year and the Albert Bartlett two years ago. What a Cheltenham record! Fantastic for Jack Kennedy as well. He's had some week too - Black Tears beating the hot favourite Concertis

Tapenade went in another bumper, this time at Thurles with top amateur Jamie Codd in the saddle and early on he had him out wide, not far off the leader Golden Spread. The field of 13 were well packed together as they completed the first circuit of the 2 miles. Tapenade was still going well on the outside of a line of four behind Willie Mullins' leader. Then, as they made their way down the back straight, Sneaky Getaway unseated rider and Rigour, the race favourite was pulled up soon after also. They were still well packed together with our horse being ridden from the top of the turn and he rallied to try and take the lead but Golden Spread was absolutely cruising in the lead with Patrick Mullins still to ask any question of his mount. As soon as they came round the corner for home, Mullins went and only Baboin and Iconic Lady could stay with him. Tapenade was in a sixth at this point but was alongside the fourth and fifth horse. Golden Spread went on to win his bumper with Baboin and Derek O'Connor second. Four Country Roads got away from the chasing group to beat Iconic Lady for third with Tapenade finishing fifth just ahead of Accidental Rebel.

I thought he ran decent race. Jamie Codd was happy with him and thinks there's a hurdle race for him at about 2m4f. The plan now appears to be to send him over hurdles. Alex reported he was fine the next day and I can't wait to see where he goes next and what he can become. Some of the club members think he has the look of a chaser, like his half brother Might Bite. If he could be half the horse Might Bite is we'll have some entertainment.