How to make it pay at the Showcase: Graeme Rodway on what to learn from the past

Galvin (Robbie Power) jumps the last fence and wins the 3m novicesâ chaseCheltenham 23.10.20 Pic: Edward Whitaker/ Racing Post

Galvin: won at last year's Showcase and doubled up at the festivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

This two-day fixture was transferred from its traditional midweek slot in 2007 and this year will be the 15th time the October feature is held at the weekend as the Showcase meeting.

The name is fitting because these two days are an hors d'oeuvres, a small glimpse of what is to come for the season ahead, and it's important to remember the meeting is just that. This isn't the main course and most trainers will use it as preparation for the feast that is to come.

We can see that by examining the horses who have competed at The Showcase in the last 14 years. Since the start of 2007, there have been a total of 2,085 runners at Cheltenham's October opener and 774 were returning (37 per cent) from at least 150 days off the course.

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Published on 22 October 2021inPreviews

Last updated 19:04, 22 October 2021

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