The Cheltenham Festival has finally arrived, with the biggest meeting in National Hunt racing getting underway this afternoon.
After their brilliant victory in last year’s Champion Hurdle, Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle are the star attraction again in the day one feature and they didn’t disappoint, producing another sensational ride.
Before that, the meeting got underway with Constitution Hill winning a vintage renewal of the Supreme Novices’s Hurdle, while Edwardstone ended Alan King’s long Festival drought against a mob-handed Irish challenge in the Arkle. The Brits will also kept up their excellent record in the Ultima as Corach Rambler powered up the hill.
Later in the afternoon, Tellmesomethinggirl was brought down as she went for back-to-back Festival, as Marie’s Rock took the Mares’ Hurdle, while one of the warmest handicap fancies of the week, Gaelic Warrior, was pipped by Brazil in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
And Tuesday’s action finished with the National Hunt Challenge Cup, renamed this year in support of the Ukraine Appeal, as Stattler got Willie Mullins off the mark.
Day one race card
1:30pm - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
1. Constitution Hill | 2. Jonbon | 3. Kilcruit
2:10pm - Arkle Challenge Trophy
1. Edwardstone | 2. Gabynako | 3. Blue Lord
2:50pm - Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase
1. Corach Rambler | 2. Gericault Roque | 3. Oscar Elite | 4. Tea Clipper
3:30pm - Champion Hurdle
1. Honeysuckle | 2. Epatante | 3. Zanahiyr
4:10pm - Mares’ Hurdle
1. Marie’s Rock | 2. Queens Brook | 3. Mrs Milner
4:50pm - Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
1. Brazil | 2. Gaelic Warrior | 3. Bell Ex One
5:30pm - National Hunt Challenge Cup
1. Stattler | 2. Run Wild Fred | 3. Vanillier
