Halfway through the main part of the jump racing season, here are my half-term reports on some of the principals in the Cheltenham Gold Cup class.
Like many at Christmas, BEST MATE had a cough, and his personal coach, Miss Knight, at least partly blames that for his hiccup in the away game at Leopardstown.
The pitch was probably a bit muddy for him too.
There are no plans for Matey to play again until the Spring, and things should be much improved by then for the Cheltenham fixture.
After winning school colours so early, and being man of the match ever since, I heard it whispered in the corridor before Chapel that he may be past his best.
However, bearing in mind his record when playing at Cheltenham, and that, aged 10, he is theoretically in his prime, that may be premature.
What is more likely is that some of his slower team-mates are beginning to catch him up.
Mr Hourigan, personal coach to BEEF OR SALMON, has had all sorts of problems to contend with, but has done a great job, and that was a terrific game for him at Leopardstown.
My personal worry is that he does seem vulnerable to these difficulties, but Mr Hourigan is convinced that he is over them for good.
Let's hope so. It is just that I cannot get the previous, dismal B- in the Punchestown game out of my mind.
There is a concern too that when playing at the Cheltenham fixture, he has never picked up any of the trophies.
KINGSCLIFF gets an A++ for effort in the match at Kempton, his first since being declared "off games" by Matron last January.
His stamina did not receive the same examination there that it will at the Cheltenham fixture, on a pitch he likes, and I am inclined to think that he will do better. Enough perhaps to topple Matey.
Matron sent another sick note for STRONG FLOW, but his coach, Mr Nicholls, is delighted with his progress.
Undoubtedly the best of his year when last seen in the team, his return is much anticipated.
Ditto IRIS'S GIFT, thought to be as exciting a colts' player as the school as had for a long time. Mr O'Neill, his coach, can hardly contain his excitement.
After dominating the Punchestown and the Kempton fixtures, a particular achievement for his coach, Mr Taaffe, KICKING KING is being talked of as the new star player. Ok, but he will need to avoid any dramas like the one towards the end of the Kempton fixture, and I am hoping that is wasn't because his stamina was running out because he will need more for Cheltenham.
He is only a youngster, remember.
KEEN LEADER and LORD SAM have long enjoyed good reports, but must do better when it comes to examination time.
Mr Pipe, coach to THEREALBANDIT, has a reputation for successfully cramming his students so they reach their pass marks, but his work may be cut out on this one.
PIZARRO strikes me as a pupil that may cause a pleasant surprise at some stage. But for making an error late on at Leopardstown, he might have had an exceptional game.
MMIX
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