The outbreak of foot and mouth disease
and subsequent ban on the movement of livestock, including the
suspension of racing, put paid to the 2001 Cheltenham Festival in its
entirety.
However, it was business as usual in
2002, with Flagship Uberalles supplementing his win in Tingle Creek
Chase at Sandown the previous December in the Queen Mother Champion
Chase to maintain his 100% record for new trainer Philip Hobbs.
Flagship Uberalles was one of just two
winners for Richard Johnson, the other being Rooster Booster in the
Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle, but that was enough to make him
leading jockey.
Hors La Loi III ran on well to beat
Marble Arch by 3 lengths in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, Best Mate
did likewise in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, coming home 1¼ lengths
ahead of Commanche Court, and Baracouda just got the better of Bannow
Bay in the Bonusprint Stayers’ Hurdle, winning by a neck, albeit a
shade cleverly.
In the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, 14/1
chance Pizarro, trained by Edward O’Grady and ridden by Jamie
Spencer, was all out to hold 5/2 favourite Rhinestone Cowboy, trained
by Jonjo O’Neill and ridden by Norman Williamson.
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