Simply the best

Cheltenham Festival verdict:

OF all the so-called good things at this year's Cheltenham Festival, only Big Buck's, Sprinter Sacre and Quevega came through with flying colours.

Hurricane Fly, Sizing Europe and Long Run, the other three members of the Gang Of Six, each bit the dust, while even the great Kauto Star fluffed his lines when pulled up after less than a circuit of the Gold Cup.

My awards - and booby prizes - go to:

Star of the meeting: Sprinter Sacre, who won the Arkle Chase as an odds-on shot should, jumping faultlessly before living up to his name and bounding clear of his toiling rivals. Next year's Queen Mother Champion Chase already looks at his mercy.

Biggest flop: It would be wrong to point the finger at Kauto Star after all the problems he had leading up to Cheltenham, so this has to go jointly to defending champions Hurricane Fly (Champion Hurdle) and Long Run (Gold Cup). Both looked shadows of last year's dominant performers.

Trainer/jockey: Tony McCoy had a great final day, capped by the success of Synchronised in the Gold Cup, but the meeting belonged to Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty, who had seven and fives wins respectively. For sheer professionalism, this pair are the best in the business.

Best ride: We had to wait for the last race of the meeting and the ice-cool Paul Carberry on board the often-disappointing, but talented Bellvano. The horse was not produced to hit the front until halfway up the run-in and hardly knew he had a race. This was the only way this fragile customer could win such a competitive chase.

Worst ride: Jointly between Ruby Walsh (Hurricane Fly) and Tony McCoy (Binocular) in the Champion Hurdle. Both lay too far out of their ground and were guilty of worrying about each other instead of the real battle in front of them.

Hero: Big Buck's, who did a lap honour in the unsaddling enclosure after winning the World Hurdle for an unprecedented fourth successive year. An amazing horse.

Most moving: The heartfelt applause given to Kauto Star in the parade ring, on his way to the start and even after being pulled up in the Gold Cup. The nation's favourite horse deserves an honourable retirement during which his public appearances can raise millions for worthy racing charities.

Best story: Nicky Henderson's stable lad who won over £1m for a £50 accumulator he placed ante-post on five of the stable's winners. He was back at work the following day, which just goes to show how much he loves his job and the horses.

It's the horses which make this meeting the spectacle it remains and we should never relax in the pursuit of their welfare.

Yes, there were fatalities at Cheltenham and that is extremely sad, but all those involved in jump racing remain tireless in their efforts to ensure their safety.

In my view, racing does not need the RSPCA's involvement to police its sport.

The name of this organisation, which I am happy to support through personal donations, bears the name cruelty.

This is a tough sport, but it is not cruel. It should be left to be run by those who know it best.