With Paul Nicholls’s two time Guinness Gold Cup winner at Punchestown Neptune Collognes out of action because of an injury, it is possible that his two time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Kauto Star may run in the Guinness Gold Cup of the big Irish Festival next month.

Nicholls maintained that a decision has not been made so far; however as there is a lot of prize money on offer, and as Kauto Star has nothing slotted till November, his options are open for Kauto Star.

Besides Paul Nicholls’s many wins, I think that the Irish had a great week at Cheltenham too. Though there were a few serious reverses at the start, their total of nine winners was one short of their best total ever. In addition to this, the Cheltenham Festival also helped unearth few champion Irish young horses like Cooldine, who has a great chance for a tilt at next season’s Gold Cup.

However I feel that the top accolade for the Cheltenham festival belonged has to go to Ruby Walsh who managed to boot home an impressive record of seven victories from eight rides. Except for the Champion Hurdle where he ended up second, he ended up first in all the other main races.