Punters were sent home from the first day of the Cheltenham Festival in jubilant spirits after seeing the odds-on Gaillard Du Mesnil gifted victory when long-time leader Mahler Mission came down with victory in sight.
The 10-11 favourite appeared to have plenty to do under Patrick Mullins as he was positioned in third place with Mahler Mission holding a clear advantage with just two fences to jump in the 3m5f Wellchild National Hunt Challenge Cup for amateur jockeys.
Yet the outcome was thrown wide open when Mahler Mission crumpled at the next fence, leaving Chemical Energy under Jamie Codd and Gaillard Du Mesnil to fight out the finish.
Gaillard Du Mesnil jumped the last a length down but gradually overhauled the Gordon Elliott-trained challenge to win by two and three quarter lengths, a victory even trainer Willie Mullins hadn't envisaged.
"John McConnell's horse was very unlucky, but I saw his horse and rider getting up so that was a good result," he said.
"I was sitting having a cup of tea at the time and I thought this was over. I couldn't see him winning until the other horse fell, then he got a run going to the last.
“He was very fortunate for us on the day but you need a bit of luck."
Gaillard Du Mesnil sealed a winning day for punters. One of two odds-on winners, he would have featured in many accumulator bets.
After Facile Vega was defeated in the first race, favourites or joint favourite won five of the remaining six races.
William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, said: “The punters have taken the upper hand after day one with a string of fancied runners proving very costly.
“El Fabiolo, Corach Rambler and Galliard Du Mesnil were all popular, while plenty came for Honeysuckle in the Mares’ Hurdle.
"As a result, we’re playing catch-up and could certainly do with a few favourites getting turned over tomorrow, particularly Impaire Et Passe in the opening Ballymore, but there’s a long way to go!”
