Horse Racing 1981 Coltcar Diamond Chase Cheltenham. Royal Bond

[fedlad]

This was also, of course, Little Owl's comeback race after winning the Gold Cup in March of that year. He only completed the course once from 4 starts that season and though he won twice in the 1982/83 season was never the same horse again.

[fedlad]

Royal Bond ran in 3 Gold Cups (pulled up in 81, unplaced in 82 & 84). Never seemed to run well at the festival, though he did won many good races, including those mentioned above, the Embassy Premier Final at Ascot (81), the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown (80) and the Sligo National (84). Another one of those great Irish horses, like Bobsline and Merry Gale, who raced until a ripe old age.

[bluemanc43]

Just checked / uploaded videos and it was 1985 that Royal Bond ran on consecutive days at Aintree

[fedlad]

@bluemanc43 That's right, he finished 4th on the first day and unplaced 24 hours later. At the 1984 National meeting he won the race which became the Betfair Bowl, beating compatriot Drumlargan in an Irish 1-2.

[livtcc24]

i think that royal bond ran his last race at killarney in may 88 which he won as a 15 yo.

[tobin2]

Brilliant, thanks for this video Royal Bond was one of my favourite horses and i can remember him winning this race. He went on to win the Leopardstown Chase on his next start and started favourite for the 1982 Gold Cup. That was strange really considering how badly he jumped in this race and he was unplaced in the Gold Cup behind Silver Buck.

[bluemanc43]

@tobin2 Glad it brought you some great memories thats why I enjoy posting the videos I remember the old boy running on consecutive days at the 1986 Aintree festival when he was a sprightly 13yo.