Publication of entries for the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup inevitably inspired an array of retrospective observations.
Many of those related to the record of novices in the Blue Riband of steeplechasing.
Incredibly, the last novice to succeed was Captain Christy, back in 1974. Since then few have attempted to emulate Pat Taaffe’s quirky but brilliant charge.
The subsequent ‘Rookies’ record’ reveals that just twenty novices have lined out for the Gold Cup, Dorans Pride faring best of those when finishing third to Mr Mulligan in 1997.
Stable companion Beef Or Salmon’s attempt to better that placing saw him come to grief at the third fence in 2003.
Significantly, no British-trained novice has been saddled for a Gold Cup since Gloria Victis in 2000.
This reticence may owe much to the tragic outcome of that attempt.
Gloria Victis was fatally injured when falling at the second last fence when locked in combat with the ultimate winner Looks Like Trouble.
While recent years may have proved disappointing for Gold Cup challengers from over the Irish Sea, the Blue Riband has historically yielded a very respectable tally of 21 Irish trained Gold Cup heroes and heroines.
Indeed, the second running of the Gold Cup (1925) fell to a chestnut known as the ‘Sligo mare’.
Trained on the Curragh by Frank Morgan, Ballinode landed some hefty bets for Sligo sportsman ‘Joss’ Bentley when Ted Leader brought her home in front.
Back then the Gold Cup was regarded as a stepping stone to Aintree honours in the one that mattered most – the Grand National.
Unfortunately, the ‘Sligo mare’ came to grief, all ‘Joss’ Bentley’s Cheltenham winnings and considerably more besides wiped out.
Twenty-one years and another World War were to elapse before Tom Dreaper welcomed home his mighty Prince Regent under Tim Hyde, odds-on winner in 1946.
His success inspired an unknown trainer in the depths of County Cork to dream of Gold Cup conquest. Vincent O’Brien’s dream came true when Aubrey Brabazon landed the gamble on Cottage Rake in 1948.
The team followed up in 1949 and duly completed their fabulous hattrick in 1950.
Aubrey’s up, the money’s down The frightened bookies quake Come on me lads and give a Cheer.
Begod ‘tis Cottage Rake! Vincent struck again in 1953, this time with Knock Hard, the reluctant fencer with a dodgy ticker.
Tim Molony made up his mind for him.
The Cup came back to the Curragh in 1959 through Danny Morgan’s charge, Roddy Owen, ridden by Bobby Beasley.
Five years later public interest was so great that the Cheltenham Festival was shifted – for the only time – to a Thursday-Saturday slot.
This was done so that the maximum number of devotees could watch the 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup on television, without mitching from work to do so.
Mill House had become England’s Sonny Liston, challenged by Ireland’s Cassius Clay (subsequently Muhammed Ali) – Arkle.
Arkle’s army of ardent believers collected at 7/4, restricted to 30/100 in 1965 and a niggardly 1/10 when Arkle completed his hat-trick in 1966.
Tom Dreaper and Pat Taaffe garnered another Gold Cup with rejuvenated heart patient Fort Leney in 1968.
Dan Moore and Tommy Carberry brought the trophy back to the Curragh with L’Escargot in 1970 and again in 1971.
Jim Dreaper added to his father’s five with Ten Up (Tommy Carbery) in 1975, while Mick O’Toole got one back for Curragh stables with Davy Lad (Dessie Hughes) in 1977.
Ireland’s economic recession in the 1980s enjoyed one euphoric interlude in 1986 when Paddy Mullins sent out Dawn Run to become the first and only animal ever to complete the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup double.
A further decade of Gold Cup famine was lifted in 1996 when English expatriate Fergie Sutherland made a triumphant return to his native land with Imperial Call, successful under Conor O’Dwyer.
Just as Jim Dreaper had done, Tom Taaffe emulated his father in 2005 when sending out Kicking King to win in the hands of Barry Geraghty.
Twelve months later Michael ‘Mouse’ Morris crowned his Cheltenham Festival career as a rider and then trainer when Michael O’Leary’s War Of Attrition defeated 21 rivals to land the spoils in the hands of Conor O’Dwyer.
As for Conor – his must be the most extraordinary Cheltenham Festival record of all. Why so?
Well, Conor only ever did ride four Cheltenham Festival winners.
Just so happens that quartet comprised two Gold Cups and two Champion Hurdles, on Hardy Eustace. Beat that!