'I went to Cheltenham filled with dread - I left absolutely buzzing'

It often proves foolhardy to arrive at the Cheltenham Festival with much in the way of confidence. Many a bold prediction has come undone over those fabulous four days in March. More often than not, misplaced enthusiasm can prove costly. This year, thankfully, it was good to be wrong.

One long odds-on shot did indeed pay out. Those few of us lucky enough to have been granted access to jumping's holy land were certain it would feel strange. It very much did.

In a normal year – think hard and you may just remember one – Cheltenham on the Monday of festival week has an air of the calm before the storm. In this strangest of years, the storm was played out before the calm. The frenzy of festival action took place in front of almost completely empty grandstands. It was like Monday all week long.