That's all for today ...
The bookies have taken a pasting on Day One of the Festival, due in no small part to the treble notched up by Ruby Walsh, trainer Willie Mullins and owner Rich Ricci. It could have been even worse for the men with the satchels, as they’d have been taken to the cleaners altogether if Min had won the opener for the three gentlemen named above. Annie Power was the big winner of the day, prevailing in the Champion Hurdle for Walsh, who also rode Douvan to victory in the Arkle Chase and secured a lucrative treble on Vroum Vroum Mag in the Mares’ Hurdle.
Left scrabbling for scraps, Nico De Boinville won the opener on board Altior for trainer Nicky Henderson, while Tom Scudamore was a winner on board Un Temps Pour Tout in the Ultima Handicap Chase. Brian Hughes got off the mark for Ian Williams on Ballyalton in the last, while leading IrishmanDerek O’Connor was first home on Minella Rocco in the National Hunt chase for amateur riders.
Sadly, at the moment there are two equine fatalities to report - The Govaness and Pont Alexandre - while we await the latest news on a third injured horse: Rezorbi in the last. Tune in tomorrow, when we’ll be bringing you previews, race coverage, tips, going reports, photos of people lorrying back stout and much, much more from around 10am (GMT).
Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase (5.30) result
1 Ballyalton (B Hughes) 12-1
2 Bouvreuil (Sam Twiston-Davies) 14-1
3 Double Shuffle (P J Brennan) 8-1
4 Bridgets Pet (S A Shortall) 33-1
20 ran
Also: 3-1 Fav Aloomomo
CSF: 161.08
Tricast: 1459.37
Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m 4f
Balllyalton cruises upsides Double Shuffle. There are three in a line as they go over the last fence, where Ballyalton pulls clear of Bouvreuil in second and D0ouble Shuffle in third. Ballyalton wins the Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase under Brian Hughes, for trainer Ian Williams.
Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m 4f
Down the hill they go and head towards the water-jump, with Aloomomo leading. McKinlkey unseats Bryan Cooper ... Double Shuffle and Aloomomo lead, with THomas Brown battling in third. They’ve three fences left to jump ...
Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m 4f
Killala Quay leads the field with about 17 lengths separating first from last. Killala Quay leads from Thomas Brown and Aloomomo as they leap the sixth fence ... Double Shuffle is also close up as they go over the seventh and up the hill towards the eighth ...
Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m 4f
They’re off and running in the final race of the day, with Aloomomo the ridiculously short-priced 3-1 favourite for a 20-runner novices’ chase handicap. Not for the first time today, there was a delay as the jockeys were made to take a turn before being sent on their way ...
Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase (5.30) betting
- Aloomomo 7-2
- Double Shuffle 8-1
- Willows Saviour 10-1
- Bouvreuil 12-1
- Amore Alato 14-1
- Thomas Brown 14-1
- Mckinley 14-1
Minella rocks in National Hunt Chase
Minella Rocco showed stamina in abundance to run out a gutsy winner of the 146th Year Of The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup over four miles and 25 fences at Cheltenham.
Top Irish amateur Derek O’Connor rode a patient race on the Jonjo O’Neill-trained six-year-old as first Vintage Vinnie and then Johnny Og ensured a proper gallop. Taking it up at the final fence, the JP McManus-owned Minella Rocco (8-1) kept on resolutely and, despite running around up the hill, went on to score by a length and a quarter from Native River. Measureofmydreams was six lengths away in third place. [PA Sport]
Preview: Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase (5.30)
This is just barely a handicap, with only 4lb separating top from bottom, so you have our permission to laugh at anyone who says: “Horse A is giving weight away all round,” or some variant thereon. Aloomomo is the favourite after a productive autumn campaign over fences, followed by a decent warm-up over hurdles at Ascot. Willow’s Saviour won a valuable handicap hurdle a couple of seasons ago and looks like making a chaser, though one of his runs this season suggested his fencing might not hold up here.
Thomas Brown unseated too far from home to know what might have happened when favourite for the Betbright Chase last time, his handicap debut. Javert still looks fairly treated after an easy Doncaster success in December, though his trainer is 3/61 here in recent years. Amore Alato remains a maiden over fences but the ability is there, as he showed when seemingly on his way to a Grade Two success at Ascot before unseating at the last.
National Hunt Chase (4.50) race
1 Minella Rocco (Mr Derek O’Connor) 8-1
2 Native River (Mr M Legg) 7-1
3 Measureofmydreams (Ms K Walsh) 9-1
20 ran
Also: 5-1 Fav Southfield Royale 4th
CSF: 61.28
Tricast: 530.55
Updated
National Hunt Chase (4.50)
Minella Rocco wins the National Hunt Chase under Derek O’Connor, for Jonjo O’Neill. Apologies for the radio silence, there - my computer rapped the timbers of one of the big fences out in the countryside and crashed.
National Hunt Chase (4.50)
They field make their way to fence No13, where Ballychorus is a faller. Vintage Vinnie continues to lead from Johnny Og with about 40 lengths separating the field. Johnny Og takes over in front and opens a gap of about 20 lengths over Vintage Vinnie ...
National Hunt Chase (4.50) 4m
They’re off and running in the National Hunt Chase for amateur riders, with Vintage Vinnie making the running as they embark on their journey of four miles.
Holidays for all
All 23 jockeys who participated in the Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) have received a one-day ban for coming forward and “anticipating the start”, without being invited to do so by the starter. Tom O’Brien has received an additional two-day ban because it’s his third such offence. Naughty boy.
Updated
National Hunt Chase (4.50) betting
- Southfield Royale 5-1
- Noble Endeavour 7-1
- Point Alexandre 7-1
- Native River 17-2
- Minella Rocco 8-1
- Measureofmydreams 10-1
- Ballychorus 10-1
- Definitely Red 12-1
- Vicente 14-1
The Govaness suffers a fatal injury
Having fallen at the last fence in the Mares’ Hurdle while running an absolute blinder, the Govaness has been put down. It’s never nice to see that happen, but happen it does ... unfortunately.
Preview: National Hunt Chase (4.50)
A four-mile novice chase for amateur riders, there’s a race you wouldn’t have to invent if it didn’t exist. But it does and here it is, a treasured piece of Festival tradition. Minella Rocco was always supposed to be an exciting chaser but he hasn’t actually managed to win a race over fences yet. His second place last time in the Reynoldstown was a career high, however, and the extra distance must help.
He’s another from the Jonjo O’Neill yard that has struggled in recent weeks. Pont Alexandre is the most obvious of three Willie Mullins runners, though he was a rather disappointing favourite when tried around here in a novice hurdle three years ago. Noble Endeavour was pipped in a handicap hurdle here last year but he is the sort of horse that something like that would happen to and there may be more frustration to come here. Southfield Royale won twice in good style before being pipped by the mighty Tea For Two in a Grade One over Christmas. This return to a left-handed track should help him.
Mares' Hurdle (4.10)
The Govaness, ridden by Richard Johnson, took a nasty fall at the final flight of hurdles - more news on her condition as we get it. Fingers crossed she’s OK.
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) result
1 Vroum Vroum Mag (R Walsh) 4-6 Fav
2 Rock On The Moor (R M Power) 66-1
3 Legacy Gold (A E Lynch) 40-1
19 ran
Also: 80-1 Pass The Time 4th
Non Runner: 5
Updated
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) 2m 4f
Vroum Vroum Mag cruises to the front and leads over the last before pulling clear to win the Mares’ Hurdle doing handstands. It’s another winner for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins for owner Rich Ricci.
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) 2m 4f
Desert Queen continues to lead as Vroum Vroum Mag cruises along on the outside in about sixth place, a good 12 lengths behind. Desert Queen from Gitane De Berlais ...
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) 2m 4f
Desert Queen is out clear by four or five lengths from Aurore Destruval and Melbourne Lady ... Vroum Vroum Mag is nearer last than first, but running nicely in a field that’s very strung-out. They’ve five to jump and she has about 12 lengths to make up ...
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) 2m 4f
They’re away and running in the Mares’ Hurdle, where Vroum Vroum Mag leads the betting. Ruby Walsh has described her as his best ride of the day, if not the week. Aurore Destruval and Desert Queen make the running. Vroum Vroum Mag is being held up in midfield ...
Annie Power wins Champion Hurdle at #CheltenhamFestival. By @claimsfive https://t.co/n9g0TylWZA (+ @TomJenkinspix) pic.twitter.com/HrOlWuJ50X
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) March 15, 2016
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) 2m 4f
- Vroum Vroum Mag 4-6
- Polly Peachum 7-1
- The Govaness 14-1
- Bitofapuzzle 14-1
- Aurore Destruval 20-1
- Tara Point 25-1
- Gitane Du Berlais 28-1
- Lily Waugh 33-1
- Desert Queen 33-1
Ruby Walsh on Annie Power's victory ...
“She deserved it,” said the winning jockey. “She’s a great mare. It was a great performance, she’s just a cracking mare. I said I’m going to ride her like Dawn Run (winner in 1984), jump out and go and if they catch me, they catch me.
I wanted to put it to them as far out as I could, she quickened when I gave her a kick and she galloped all the way to the line.
“I knew halfway up the run-in she would win, it was brilliant - a great feeling.
It was a brave call (to run) and it’s great to be on her back.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins had this to say: “I don’t know how good she is, but she’s a hell of a horse. I thought she could win, but I didn’t think she could do it like that, coming off that preparation (just one race since last May).
It was a huge performance. I think Ruby’s been watching videos of Dawn Run over the last 48 hours. That (make the running) is what he wanted to do and it’s all worked out. She’s exceeded all my expectations.”
Preview: Mare's Hurdle (4.10)
Only the first running of this race, in 2008, has not been won by Willie Mullins; he didn’t have a runner that time. A trainer in his position is able to drop a high-quality horse into this race, because he has so many talented beasts to run in the other races.
So it is this time with Vroum Vroum Mag, who may have had a much more ambitious target if she were the star in another stable, rather than one among many at Closutton. Drying ground is not necessarily in her favour but there should still be enough juice in there for this to be comfortable for her. Flute Bowl, who won a trial for this at Warwick last month, would be a popular winner, representing Gary Moore, who has had such bad luck with injuries to other Festival candidates.
Polly Peachum was beaten just a head last year and seems as good as ever this winter. It says quite a bit that Aurore D’Estruval is third in the betting despite having trailed Vroum Vroum Mag by 43 lengths in January.
Champion Hurdle (3.30) result
1 Annie Power (R Walsh) 5-2 Fav
2 My Tent Or Yours (B J Geraghty) 10-1
3 Nichols Canyon (P Townend) 15-2
12 ran
Also: 7-2 The New One 4th
Non Runner: 7
CSF: 28.87
Tricast: 170.11
Updated
Champion Hurdle (3.30) 2m
That was an incredibly convincing pillar-to-post victory for Annie Power, the first mare to win the Champion Hurdle in - I think - 22 years. There won’t be a more popular winner at Cheltenham this week: “Ruby! Ruby! Ruby!” is the chant that can be heard from the stands.
Champion Hurdle (3.30) 2m
Annie Power leads over the second last, with My Tent Or Yours in hot pursuit. Annie Power pings the last and powers up the hill to win the Champion Hurdle!!!
Champion Hurdle (3.30) 2m
Ruby Walsh hasn’t moved a muscle on Annie Power as he attempts to make all the running. They’ve three hurdles left to jump and Annie Power is being shadowed by My Tent Or Yours and The New One ...
Champion Hurdle (3.30) 2m
Annie Power leads the way with the field strung out as they take the sixth hurdle from home. The New One is tucked in behind the favourite, with My Tent Or Yours also prominent ...
Champion Hurdle (3.30) 2m
They’re off and running in the Champion Hurdle, with Annie Power the 5-2 favourite. There’s also been money for The New One, while Camping Ground is also being tipped in places at a big price. The New One leads the way on the near side, with Annie Power upsides him. They’re going a right good gallop early doors ...
Champion Hurdle (3.30) 2m
The horses are making their way past the grandstand in a procession, before cantering down to the start. Grand National-winning jockey Leighton Aspell leads the parade on board Camping Ground. Annie Power is last in line and looks a little bit nervous. The runners and riders are now cantering down the all weather gallop adjacent to the hurdles course as they make their way to the start.
Champion Hurdle (3.30) betting
- Annie Power 11-4
- The New One 9-2
- Identity Thief 15-2
- Nichols Canyon 15-2
- My Tent Or Yours 10-1
- 16-1 bar
Updated
Un Temps Pour Tout proves Ultima warrior
Un Temps Pour Tout put up a determined performance to land the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. The David Pipe-trained seven-year-old got the better of Holywell, the winner of this race in 2014, after a good battle from three out.
There was little between them turning for home with two to jump, but Un Temps Pour Tout (11-1) pulled away up the hill under Tom Scudamore to win by seven lengths. The Young Master was nine lengths back in third, with Morning Assembly fourth.
Scudamore said: “We had a dilemma at the beginning of the week which race to go for - we chose the right one. This hasn’t been a season to remember by our standards, but the last few weeks we’ve managed to get it back on track.
He’s a French Champion Hurdle winner, he’s got plenty of class. He put the race to bed pretty quickly.”
Un Temps Pour Tout runs out a ready winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase for David Pipe and Tom Scudamore pic.twitter.com/Pynh0UliDZ
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 15, 2016
Preview: Champion Hurdle (3.30)
It’s an intriguing Champion with the possibility of being a high-quality affair, even though we are missing a couple of big names in Faugheen and Arctic Fire. On the up side, we should finally get an insight into how good Annie Power is; had her stablemate Faugheen been fit, she may well have lined up again in the Mares Hurdle, the race she would have won last year but for a shocking last-flight fall.
She is undoubtedly very good indeed and to be honest odds of 5-2 are bigger than I expected by this stage, though this is still a big step up on nearly all the races she’s contested. Willie Mullins also fields Nichols Canyon, who can be forgiven his latest flop but has had a hard season, and Sempre Medici, who has scope to bely odds of 25-1 but must improve a fair bit. The New One tries again, having been unlucky in 2014 and off his game last year. My Tent Or Yours and Peace And Co are the hard-pulling stablemates at Nicky Henderson’s yard who could be dangerous if either of them decides to behave this time.
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) result
1 Un Temps Pour Tout (T Scudamore) 11-1
2 Holywell (R P McLernon) 8-1
3 The Young Master (Mr S Waley-Cohen) 14-1
4 Morning Assembly (D N Russell) 10-1
23 ran
Also: 13-2 Fav Out Sam
Non Runner: 21
Updated
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) 3m 1f
Un Temps Pour Tout and Holywell go clear at the second last. Holywell and Un Temps Pour Tout clear the last with Un Temps Pour Tout drawing clear to win the Ultima Handicap Chase from Holywell under a fine ride by Tom Scudamore.
Updated
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) 3m 1f
Theatre Guide and Southfield Theatre fall at the eighth from home, while Out Sam the favourite is in trouble at the back, struggling badly. They’re four from home and Double Ross leads them over, with Holywell looking good too ...
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) 3m 1f
Audacious Plan is a faller, as is Spring Heeled, with both horses and both riders back on their feet. Shanahan’s Turn leads from Double Ross as they approach 12 from home ... Holywell is also nicely placed, followed by Cruise Linen ... they’ve a circuit to go and 10 fences to jump as they approach the fence in front of the grandstand ...
Updated
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) 3m 1f
Starter Robbie Supple had a spot of difficulty getting the riders in line for this, but they’re finally off at the first attempt after he let’s them go. Southfield Theatre gets off to a bad start and clips the first to leave him trailing with 18 to jump. Double Ross leads them along, while the favourite Out Sam is second last with 17 to jump ...
Favourite DOUVAN wins @RacingPost Arkle in style! #CheltenhamFestival #Cheltenham https://t.co/oQLM0O4ai8
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) March 15, 2016
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) betting
- Out Sam 13-2
- Holywell 8-1
- Kruzhlinin 8-1
- Morning Assembly 11-1
- Beg To Differ 12-1
- Un Temps Pour Tout 12-1
- The Young Master 14-1
- Caroles Destrier 14-1
- Theatre Guide 16-1
- Southfield Theatre 16-1
- Balklykan 16-1
Ruby Walsh on Douvan's win
“He was very good, very assured in his jumping,” said Ruby. “He only did what he had to do, really. He’s very, very good in front. He jumped super and travelled really well. Willie is not a boisterous person, but he’s never hidden the regard he holds this horse. He’s an incredible horse.”
Douvan delivers Arkle for Mullins
Douvan made virtually all the running as he justified the status of a first-day banker with an effortless victory in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.
Vaniteux tried to put it up to the Willie Mullins hotpot at the second-last but made a bad mistake, giving Nico de Boinville no chance of staying in the saddle. Baltimore Rock came down independently at the same fence when at the rear.
Ruby Walsh had barely moved a muscle on Douvan and the 1-4 shot, owned by Rich Ricci, bounded clear of the opposition to give connections quick compensation for the defeat of Min in the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
The always-prominent Sizing John (9-1) was second, seven lengths adrift.
Ricci said: “He’s just very good isn’t he, he’s very, very exciting. It’s effortless, isn’t it - he’s got everything. He’s certainly the best we’ve had.” (PA Sport)
Preview: Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50)
The first of the week’s handicaps is a staying chase which always attracts a few horses on their way to the Grand National. Traditional thinking suggests those ones are just here for a tune-up and should not be backed, though The Druids Nephew won this last year and was on his way to following up at Aintree until taking a late tumble. Kruzhlinin has a similar profile this time, being a National entry who has improved for a change of stable this season, but he didn’t get on with Cheltenham when last jumping fences here. Holywell, by contrast, is a handicap winner at two Festivals and he ran a huge race to be fourth in last year’s Gold Cup. His poor form this season is not so much of a concern as the fact that his trainer, Jonjo O’Neill, has been short of winners in recent weeks. O’Neill also runs the interesting Beg To Differ. Southfield Theatre was beaten a nose in a handicap hurdle here two years ago and his yard is doing better than when he was twice stuffed early in the season. Theatre Guide was a revelation in landing the Betbright Chase at Kempton by 10 lengths last month and represents the connections of Cue Card, a Gold Cup contender for this Friday. Out Sam looks well handicapped, though he lacks experience.
Arkle Trophy (2.10) result
1 Douvan (R Walsh) 1-4 Fav
2 Sizing John (J J Burke) 9-1
3 Fox Norton (R Johnson) 33-1
7 ran
Also: 14-1 The Game Changer 4th
CSF: 3.67
Updated
Arkle Trophy (2.10) 2m
Douvan leads over the second last, where Vaniteux fell and brought down Baltimore Rock. Douvan wins the Arkle Chase at his leisure.
Arkle Trophy (2.10) 2m
Douvan from Sizing John and Baltimore Rock and Vaniteux in close contention ... Douvan leaps the third last with a lead of a couple of lengths ...
Arkle Trophy (2.10) 2m
Vaniteux makes the running as they head up the back straight, but is passed by Douvan, who’s happily plodding along. They’ve six to jump after Douvan led them over the open ditch ...
Arkle Trophy (2.10) 2m
They’re away and running in the Arkle Chase, with Douvan going off the 1-4 favourite for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh. Second favourite Vaniteux looked a bit wound up at the start and seemed a bit sweaty and warm. They’ve two miles to run and 13 fences to jump ...
Updated
Nico de Boinville speaks ...
Altior’s jockey had this to say after the opener: “I was seriously impressed - all season we’ve been waiting for a proper pace. I thought I had a bit of horse left [at the second-last]. We know he stays, I think he outstayed them. He’ll make a lovely chaser some day.”
Updated
Arkle Trophy (2.10) betting
- Douvan 1-3
- Vaniteux 8-1
- Sizing John 12-1
- The Game Changer 16-1
- Fox Norton 33-1
- Baltimore Rock 40-1
- Aso 66-1
Altior triumphs in the Supreme Novice Hurdle
Altior gave Nicky Henderson his first win in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle since Flown in 1992, when proving too good for Willie Mullins’ Min in the curtain-raiser at the Cheltenham Festival.
Min was expected to give Mullins his fourth successive win in this race but Altior (4-1) shattered those dreams and also hopes of a short-priced four-timer for Ireland’s champion trainer with a breathtaking performance.
Charbel made the running with Min on his heels until the race began in earnest three out, where Nico de Boinville ranged up on Altior on the outside. The race soon developed into a duel between the top two, but Altior asserted at the final flight and galloped on strongly up the hill to defeat the 15-8 favourite by seven lengths.
Henderson also took third place with Buveur D’Air (10-1), who made up a lot of ground and was just a length and a half away. (PA Sport)
Updated
Arkle Trophy (2.10) preview
Here he is, the potentially great one. Douvan, unbeaten in seven since joining Willie Mullins, is acknowledged by the trainer as potentially the best he has had. He won last year’s Supreme and has made up into exactly the kind of devastatingly impressive chaser one might have hoped. If he can’t win, this may be a very long week for Mullins and Walsh. Vaniteux is second favourite but his two chase wins in small fields do not make him a terrifying adversary. Baltimore Rock, a former Imperial Cup winner, is interesting on his second start for Neil Mulholland with cheekpieces on for the first time. Those circumstances offer clear potential for improvement and 66-1 is bigger than I’d care to lay.
Jockey Nico de Boinville: "I was seriously impressed. All season we've been waiting for a proper pace." #Altior pic.twitter.com/T3nbC0PMWr
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) March 15, 2016
Really poor hurdling from Min. Ran well under the circumstances
— James Knight (@jamesaknight) March 15, 2016
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) result
1 Altior (Nico de Boinville) 4-1
2 Min (R Walsh) 15-8 Fav
3 Buveur D’air (N D Fehily) 10-1
14 ran
Also: 12-1 Tombstone 4th
CSF: 10.99
Tricast: 70.50
Updated
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) 2m
With three to jump, Charbel leads, with Min in second place. Over the second last, Min leaps into the lead .... Altior comes around the outside as they approach the last ... Altior leaps the last three lengths in front of Min. Altior wins the Supreme Novice Hurdle for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico De Boinnville.
Updated
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) 2m
Charbel continues to make the running as they enter the back straight towards flight number three. Min stands off a long way from the third flight and scrambles over it. Min is better over the fourth and bowls along in second place behind Charbel ...
Updated
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) 2m
Charbel makes the early running with Min tucked in handily on the inside, while Supersundae is also prominent as they approach the second flight of hurdles ...
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) 2m
As an enormous roar goes up from the grandstand, the runners and riders are off for the opening race of the 2016 Cheltenham Festival ...
Ruby Walsh speaks ....
In a nice little Channel 4 feature, AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh sit in a field talking: “What would I be happy with?” asks Ruby. “I’ll definitely be happy just to walk out of the place because two years I go I left the course in an ambulance ... but I want to ride a couple of winners. I’m on some very good horses.”
Fourteen very good horses go to post for our opener, in which Walsh rides the favourite Min, for Willie Mullins. The jockeys have mounted and are on their way to the start.
"How could it look worse?"
Channel 4 pundits Jim McGrath and Graham Cunningham have been offering their thoughts on the big controversy of the day: Rich Ricci’s decision to withdraw Vautour from the Gold Cup and run him in the Ryanair Chase instead. They’re not overly impressed with the manner in which Mr Ricci misled punters.
"How could it look worse?" https://t.co/633eBc7HS3
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) March 15, 2016
Updated
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) betting
- Min 5-2
- Altior 4-1
- Buveur Dair 8-1
- Supasundae 14-1
- Bellshill 16-1
- Tombstone 16-1
- Silver Concorde 18-1
- Charbel 25-1
- North Hill Harvey 33-1
- Penglai Pavillion 40-1
Preview: Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) 2m
Impressively, the Mullins/Walsh/Ricci team are going for their fourth consecutive success in this race, Min being the horse who will try to do it for them. He was favourite for this even before he had his first run for Mullins. The manner of his latest victory was breath-taking and the form looks solid as well. Nicky Henderson leads the home defence. His Altior is second-favourite on the strength of an easy Christmas success but it’s possible the yard has a still better contender in Buveur D’Air, whose 11-length hammering of Wait For Me is useful form. One of the other interesting runners is Penglai Pavilion, who was fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2013, beating Al Kazeem, Ruler Of The World and Flintshire. He represents John Ferguson, who is having to give up being a trainer of jumpers in order to run Godolphin. Ferguson would love a winner at this last Festival but his lack of recent runners suggests his focus may already be divided.
Channel 4's coverage has begun ...
Clare Balding is in charge of proceedings and is currently being assisted by her glamorous assistant AP McCoy, who has swapped his whip for a microphone this year as he helps mark the cards of viewers while providing an insight into what’s going on in the minds of jockeys and their steeds as the Festival unfolds. Our first race is at 1.30pm and we’ll provided coverage of all 28 races from this year’s Festival over the next four days.
Ruby Walsh on Annie Power: "It was definitely the mares allowance that swung me." https://t.co/cAt3SmuDdN
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 15, 2016
Some market movers ...
William Hill bookmakers have been in touch to lets us know that four horses at today\’s meeting have gone in from some support this morning. Unsurprisingly, at least three of them have been tipped by Tom Segal in his Pricewise column in the Racing Post. I can’t check exactly how many, because my copy has been “borrowed” by a colleague who is making his selections for the office tipping competition. Mr Segal has quite a loyal following due in no small part to his ability to pick a long-priced winner.
- 1.30 – Supasundae 12-1 from 14-1
- 2.50 – Out Sam 8-1 from 10-1 (worst single result of the day)
- 3.30 – The New One 6-1 from 13-2
- 5.30 – Willow’s Saviour 9-1 from 11-1
Today's going ...
Simon Claisse, clerk of the course at Cheltenham, has reported that the going for Day One of the Festival is is good to soft, soft in places.
That Rich Ricci interview I alluded to earlier ...
Racing UK presenter Oli Bell and Dave Nevison grill Rich Ricci about his decision to switch Vatour from the Gold Cup to the Ryanair Chase.
Rich Ricci responds to social media outcry regarding Vautour's Cheltenham target #TheFestival https://t.co/lE5fIRABoI
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 15, 2016
Vautour story, now with reaction from the Horserace Bettors Forum https://t.co/H3RLWwb1t0
— chris cook (@claimsfive) March 15, 2016
Champion Chase - your guide to tomorrow's big race
Rich Ricci speaks ...
The American owner has just been interviewed on Racing UK, where he has been talking about his decision to switch Vautour, originally second favourite for the Gold Cup, to Thursday’s Ryanair Chase. He’s just apologised to punters who had backed Vautour ante-post for the Gold Cup, but didn’t sound all that sorry indeed. This morning’s revelation has been greeted with a degree of hostility by punters, but judging by Ricci’s comments, Vautour wouldn’t have had much chance of winning the Gold Cup. “He’s not the horse he was last year,” says Ricci of the horse. “Owners are entitled to change their minds,” he adds. “I always try to be as honest and open as I can and things change. I apologise to people who backed the horse.”
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Our racing correspondent sets the scene ...
The big-money power games over a well-balanced Galileo colt at Tatts in September will have nothing on the scenes at Cheltenham this evening if Willie Mullins’s “Big Four” favourites all oblige on the first day of the Festival.
The PRs from the big bookies, who live and die by media mentions, will engage in a bidding war to get the largest number they can get away with into tomorrow’s papers as the definitive figure for “the industry’s” losses on the day. It probably won’t get that far, as Min looks like a shaky favourite for the opener, but have some large pinches of salt to hand, just in case.
From a betting point of view, Min is probably the key horse of the entire week. Bookmakers profit by trying to flatten out the peaks and troughs of chance and form, and taking a long term view. They have also banked all the multiples from earlier in the season that included Faugheen, last year’s Champion Hurdle winner. But if Min goes in at around 2-1, they will be forced into a position that no bookie likes to take. They will know that it is not going to be a good day, but they won’t know just how bad it might be.
For me, Min is an oddity, the kind of horse that you could back to win and lay for a place at the same time. If the hype is right, he is going in. If it isn’t, there’s every chance that he will never be sighted. And if you call the first race wrong, well, good luck, because there are 27 more to come and you can’t even use the ground as an excuse. It is officially good-to-soft and soft in places, but the places will be vanishing rapidly as the day goes on.
Punters have already suffered a significant blow this morning with the news that Vautour, one of the favourites for the Gold Cup, has been re-reouted to Thursday’s Ryanair Chase by Rich Ricci, his owner. Ricci confirmed the switch on Channel 4’s Morning Line show, but Vautour was being backed for the Ryanair about an hour beforehand and while many bookmakers have been non-runner, no bet for several weeks, there will certainly be punters who have lost out because they took Ricci at his word when he suggested in recent weeks that it was the Gold Cup or nothing for Vautour.
“Vautour hasn’t been pulling up trees in his work,” Ricci said. “The Gold Cup is very difficult, even at 90 per cent. We don’t want to ruin him. The Ryanair is the best alternative. It’s a weaker race and not as tough.”
In the betting markets today, the competition to get money into punters’ accounts on day one is as fierce as always, and three of the big races - the Supreme, the Arkle and the Mares’ Hurdle - are currently overbroke at best prices. Two more are betting to 101 per cent, so the time to get stuck in is very much now.
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Preview: Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase (5.30)
This is just barely a handicap, with only 4lb separating top from bottom, so you have our permission to laugh at anyone who says: “Horse A is giving weight away all round,” or some variant thereon. Aloomomo is the favourite after a productive autumn campaign over fences, followed by a decent warm-up over hurdles at Ascot. Willow’s Saviour won a valuable handicap hurdle a couple of seasons ago and looks like making a chaser, though one of his runs this season suggested his fencing might not hold up here. Thomas Brown unseated too far from home to know what might have happened when favourite for the Betbright Chase last time, his handicap debut. Javert still looks fairly treated after an easy Doncaster success in December, though his trainer is 3/61 here in recent years. Amore Alato remains a maiden over fences but the ability is there, as he showed when seemingly on his way to a Grade Two success at Ascot before unseating at the last.
Preview: National Hunt Chase (4.50)
A four-mile novice chase for amateur riders, there’s a race you wouldn’t have to invent if it didn’t exist. But it does and here it is, a treasured piece of Festival tradition. Minella Rocco was always supposed to be an exciting chaser but he hasn’t actually managed to win a race over fences yet. His second place last time in the Reynoldstown was a career high, however, and the extra distance must help. He’s another from the Jonjo O’Neill yard that has struggled in recent weeks. Pont Alexandre is the most obvious of three Willie Mullins runners, though he was a rather disappointing favourite when tried around here in a novice hurdle three years ago. Noble Endeavour was pipped in a handicap hurdle here last year but he is the sort of horse that something like that would happen to and there may be more frustration to come here. Southfield Royale won twice in good style before being pipped by the mighty Tea For Two in a Grade One over Christmas. This return to a left-handed track should help him.
Preview: Mares Hurdle (4.10)
Only the first running of this race, in 2008, has not been won by Willie Mullins; he didn’t have a runner that time. A trainer in his position is able to drop a high-quality horse into this race, because he has so many talented beasts to run in the other races. So it is this time with Vroum Vroum Mag, who may have had a much more ambitious target if she were the star in another stable, rather than one among many at Closutton. Drying ground is not necessarily in her favour but there should still be enough juice in there for this to be comfortable for her. Flute Bowl, who won a trial for this at Warwick last month, would be a popular winner, representing Gary Moore, who has had such bad luck with injuries to other Festival candidates. Polly Peachum was beaten just a head last year and seems as good as ever this winter. It says quite a bit that Aurore D’Estruval is third in the betting despite having trailed Vroum Vroum Mag by 43 lengths in January.
Preview: Champion Hurdle (3.30)
It’s an intriguing Champion with the possibility of being a high-quality affair, even though we are missing a couple of big names in Faugheen and Arctic Fire. On the up side, we should finally get an insight into how good Annie Power is; had her stablemate Faugheen been fit, she may well have lined up again in the Mares Hurdle, the race she would have won last year but for a shocking last-flight fall. She is undoubtedly very good indeed and to be honest odds of 5-2 are bigger than I expected by this stage, though this is still a big step up on nearly all the races she’s contested. Willie Mullins also fields Nichols Canyon, who can be forgiven his latest flop but has had a hard season, and Sempre Medici, who has scope to bely odds of 25-1 but must improve a fair bit. The New One tries again, having been unlucky in 2014 and off his game last year. My Tent Or Yours and Peace And Co are the hard-pulling stablemates at Nicky Henderson’s yard who could be dangerous if either of them decides to behave this time.
Preview: Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50)
The first of the week’s handicaps is a staying chase which always attracts a few horses on their way to the Grand National. Traditional thinking suggests those ones are just here for a tune-up and should not be backed, though The Druids Nephew won this last year and was on his way to following up at Aintree until taking a late tumble. Kruzhlinin has a similar profile this time, being a National entry who has improved for a change of stable this season, but he didn’t get on with Cheltenham when last jumping fences here. Holywell, by contrast, is a handicap winner at two Festivals and he ran a huge race to be fourth in last year’s Gold Cup. His poor form this season is not so much of a concern as the fact that his trainer, Jonjo O’Neill, has been short of winners in recent weeks. O’Neill also runs the interesting Beg To Differ. Southfield Theatre was beaten a nose in a handicap hurdle here two years ago and his yard is doing better than when he was twice stuffed early in the season. Theatre Guide was a revelation in landing the Betbright Chase at Kempton by 10 lengths last month and represents the connections of Cue Card, a Gold Cup contender for this Friday. Out Sam looks well handicapped, though he lacks experience.
Preview: Arkle Trophy (2.10)
Here he is, the potentially great one. Douvan, unbeaten in seven since joining Willie Mullins, is acknowledged by the trainer as potentially the best he has had. He won last year’s Supreme and has made up into exactly the kind of devastatingly impressive chaser one might have hoped. If he can’t win, this may be a very long week for Mullins and Walsh. Vaniteux is second favourite but his two chase wins in small fields do not make him a terrifying adversary. Baltimore Rock, a former Imperial Cup winner, is interesting on his second start for Neil Mulholland with cheekpieces on for the first time. Those circumstances offer clear potential for improvement and 66-1 is bigger than I’d care to lay.
Preview: Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30)
Impressively, the Mullins/Walsh/Ricci team are going for their fourth consecutive success in this race, Min being the horse who will try to do it for them. He was favourite for this even before he had his first run for Mullins. The manner of his latest victory was breath-taking and the form looks solid as well. Nicky Henderson leads the home defence. His Altior is second-favourite on the strength of an easy Christmas success but it’s possible the yard has a still better contender in Buveur D’Air, whose 11-length hammering of Wait For Me is useful form. One of the other interesting runners is Penglai Pavilion, who was fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2013, beating Al Kazeem, Ruler Of The World and Flintshire. He represents John Ferguson, who is having to give up being a trainer of jumpers in order to run Godolphin. Ferguson would love a winner at this last Festival but his lack of recent runners suggests his focus may already be divided.
Top jockeys at the Cheltenham Festival
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Ruby Walsh 45
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Barry Geraghty 33
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Richard Johnson 20
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Davy Russell 15
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Paul Carberry (injured) 14
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Tom Scudamore 7
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Paddy Brennan 6
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Nina Carberry 5
These figures are for current jump jockeys only and so do not include the now-retired AP McCoy (31 wins), or Sir Anthony as we must learn to call him. Ruby Walsh has been top Festival jockey for seven of the last eight years, only Barry Geraghty managing to interrupt his run with five wins in 2012. Richard Johnson was blanked at the last Festival but should get better opportunities this time as he continues his march towards a first champion jockeys’ title.
Top trainers at the Cheltenham Festival
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Nicky Henderson 53 career wins
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Willie Mullins 41
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Paul Nicholls 37
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Jonjo O’Neill 25
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Philip Hobbs 18
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Edward O’Grady 18
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Alan King 15
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Nigel Twiston-Davies 15
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David Pipe 13
Mullins has been top trainer at the last three Festivals and set a new record with eight successes last year. He has four favourites on this year’s opening day.
Today's races and our tips
1.30 Supreme Novice Hurdle Min 9-4
2.05 Arkle Trophy Douvan 2-5
2.40 Ultima Handicap Chase Out Sam 15-2
3.20 Champion Hurdle Sempre Medici 25-1
4.00 Mares Hurdle Vroum Vroum Mag 11-10
4.40 National Hunt Chase (amateur riders) Southfield Royale 7-1
5.15 Close Novice Handicap Chase Aloomomo 6-1
Chris Cook writes: If I’m right about these tips, that would mean four winners for Willie Mullins (Min, Douvan, Sempre Medici and Vroum Vroum Mag), who seems likely to have another big day, one way or another. Many punters will be combining his horses in accumulators, though they will probably use the more fancied Annie Power rather than Sempre Medici. I’ve also got Warren Greatrex down for two wins with Out Sam and Aloomomo. The Lambourn man got his Festival breakthrough with Cole Harden last year and has the favourites for both handicap chases on this card. He has a 22% strike-rate in such races this season.
The BetVictor Cheltenham Festival tipping competition
You could win a £50 bet from BetVictor by proving your tipping prowess on today’s races. All you have to do is give us your selections for all of today’s races at Cheltenham. As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional stakes of £1 at starting price on each tip. Non-runners count as losers.
Please post all your tips in a single posting, using the comment facility below, before the first race at 1.30pm.
There are seven races at Cheltenham today and you must post a single selection for each race. Our usual terms and conditions, which you can read here, will apply, except that this will be a strictly one-day thing. If we get a tie after all the races have been run, the winner will be the one who posted their tips earliest out of those with the highest score. If an entrant has to repost their selections because of a non-runner, we will use the time of their later posting for tiebreak purposes.
If you don’t win today, don’t despair. We are running an identical competition on each day of the Festival.
Greetings racing fans ...
The Cheltenham Festival has already got off to a controversial start, with the sensational revelation from owner Rich Ricci that Vautour has been diverted from Friday’s Gold Cup to the comparative egg-and-spoon that is the Ryanair Chase the previous day. Chris Cook was up bright and early to bring us news of this most unexpected “switcheroo” and is at the racecourse with Greg Wood to provide us with previews, tips, breaking news, results and reaction, which you’ll be able to peruse right here throughout the day, until the conclusion of the final race, which is due off at 5.30pm. Happy punting one and all, on what promises to be a particularly exciting week in the racing calendar.
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