CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2008

That this House congratulates all the team at Cheltenham Racecourse, the trainers, owners, jockeys and stable staff, businesses and racegoers for making this year's festival such a resounding success despite very challenging weather; pays tribute to those Irish visitors who braved stormy ferry crossings to keep their annual appointment at the racecourse; congratulates Denman and Sam Thomas on their awesome victory in the Gold Cup; reflects that even the cancellation of racing due to high winds provided a welcome boost for the county's unique local pubs, clubs and shops; and sincerely hopes that the rest of 2008 in Gloucestershire will pass without further storms, floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters.