Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Gary Carson
Taaffe charge Storms home in opener
Riders Onthe Storm & JJ Slevin
© Photo Healy Racing
The market spoke loudly in favour of Riders Onthe Storm in the opening rated novice hurdle and Tom Taaffe's charge ploughed through the mud to open his account.
The Paul Shanahan-owned gelding was backed from 11/1 this morning and went to post the 4/1 favourite for the two-miler.
JJ Slevin tracked the leaders on his mount before asking him to move up and dispute turning for home.
The Scorpion gelding gained a narrow lead over the third last and asserted before the final flight. Despite a slightly untidy jump at the last he had plenty left as he went on to record a two-and-three-quarter length success. Spades Are Trumps who made a mistake three from home, ran on strongly in the closing stages to take the runner-up spot.
The winner was the only maiden in the field. He had went down by a head to Great Trango (fourth today) at Limerick over Christmas.
“I like this horse and if he’s half as good as some of the horses that have won this race in the past ten years he’ll be fine,” said Taaffe.
“Un De Sceaux, Sir Des Champs, Cause Of Causes and Sublimity have all won this race.
“He’s a true chaser. He got out-battled by a horse that knew how to battle the last day.
“I told JJ to not be afraid to go on from the turn and he’ll stay galloping. If he didn’t miss the last he would probably have won by a few more lengths.
“He’s a lovely big horse with a great page but just needs to grow up. He’ll go chasing next season.”
(Quotes by Alan Magee)