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There was no braver sight at the Cheltenham Festival than the return of John Hunt to the BBC commentary box on Friday, just days after the man who murdered his wife and two daughters was given three whole-life sentences.
In his powerful and heartbreaking 1,900-word victim statement delivered at Cambridge crown court on Tuesday, Hunt had told the crossbow killer Kyle Clifford that despite his horrific and cowardly act, he was determined to carry on.
“Even though the days are difficult and feel on many occasions, impossible, I will channel my inner Atticus Finch at all times,” said Hunt, whose wife Carol along with daughters Louise and Hannah were murdered by Clifford at the family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, in July last year. “I want you to see what real courage is.”
And so it proved on Friday as Hunt returned to Radio Five Live airwaves at 1pm to cover his 30th Cheltenham Festival, including the Gold Cup. As he spoke to presenter Mark Chapman, Hunt at 1pm, he made no reference on air to the horrors he had endured.
“I am thinking about the individuals who illuminate this sport,” he said. “Nothing else matters Mark. Galopin des Champs is the Antoine Dupont of horse racing. He has looked magnificent. His form is rock solid.”
When Chapman reminded him that the first Gold Cup he called was won by the legendary Best Mate, 21 years ago, Hunt insisted that Galopin des Champs, who went on to finish second behind Inothewayurthinkin, was even better.
“It really does take me back,” he said. “Everything about Best Mate was geared to Cheltenham. Galopin is even better than Best Mate. The weight of history can prove too heavy a toll and strange things can happen – he’s still got 22 fences ahead – but if he’s cherry ripe he will bring this home.”
Chapman added: “And John will call them home as only John can.”
In his powerful statement on Tuesday, Hunt insisted that he would fight on in memory of his family.
“As you are consigned to a fate far greater than death, I can draw on the love and strength that I still feel from the girls in every moment of every day,” he said. “So whilst I am so badly damaged, I am determined to see what my future is, surrounded by so many amazing people.
“And the chance to do this has been gifted to me by my incredible Hannah. I firmly believe that, had she not managed to show such amazing physical and mental strength in raising the alarm after you fatally injured her, then I would have been your fourth victim that day.
He added: “Hannah handed me a second chance, one that she worked so hard to achieve for me. Do you really think after what she did for me, I will slight her memory and example by just giving up?”
