BARRY GERAGHTY: CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL INSIGHTS - REVIEW

BARRY GERAGHTY - CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL REVIEW

Narrowly missing out on the Festival Top Jockey crown doesn't take any shine off what's been an unforgettable week.

I've been beaten on seconds a few times before but it's no big deal and I'm really pleased for Paul [Townend].

He's a lovely fella, a great rider and he deserves every success.

I've had a week you'd be afraid to hope for. In your head you're always thinking about getting one on the board but you never dare to think any further than that.

This year's Festival rates right up there as one of my best ever. I've left the place with a winner every day which is such a great feeling.

Winning the Champion Hurdle is probably the highlight of the week for me, though I got a great kick out of the Champ win too!

The Champion Hurdle is one of the biggest prizes you can win so I was delighted to get another one.

I thought Epatante might have struggled a bit on the ground so it was a great relief and I was chuffed with the performance.

Obviously it comes down to riding good horses too, so you've got to congratulate JP [McManus] and the trainers.

That's 43 Festival winners for me now but I'll still always start the week on zero!

OTHER FESTIVAL TALKING POINTS

It's not like that for everyone and there's plenty more jockeys that go home after a blank week.

I feel desperate for Jamie Moore after Goshen in the Triumph.

He's a brilliant rider, a lovely fella and it's something that's happened to us all.

I got unseated on Moscow Flyer in the 2004 Champion Chase when he was favourite.

What you've got to remember is that it was still an eye-catching performance and he looks to have a horse with a big future.

I was delighted to see Adam Wedge and Lisnagar Oscar win the Stayers' Hurdle.

I rode a winner for the yard and some of the guys from the same syndicate with O'Faolains Boy in the RSA and they're a brilliant group of lads.

It was also great to see Harry Skelton get his first championship race win with Politologue in the Champion Chase.

As for the Gold Cup, it looked a very solid renewal. Lostintranslation was right there but didn't quite get home, Santini kept going really well on ground that wouldn't have been ideal and the winner was brilliant.

The staying chasing division is really exciting at the moment and I'm sure we'll see a few more good battles between this group of horses.

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