So that's it for day one of the Festival ...
Nicky Henderson added another two winners to his glittering Festival CV on the first day of Cheltenham. Buveur D’Air was an emphatic winner of the Champion Hurdle under Noel Fehily, making Henderson the most successful trainer in the race’s history with six wins. Henderson also sent out the scorching hot favourite Altior to win the Arkle Novices’ Chase in the hands of Nico De Boinville.
It was also an extraordinary day of success for trainer Gordon Elliottt, who saddled three of the four Irish winners to triumph today. He gave 17-year-old riding sensation Jack Kennedy his first Festival winner when Labaik was the surprise winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, then followed up with wins for Apples Jade, ridden by Bryan Cooper, in the Mares’ Hurdle and Tiger Roll, under Lisa O’Neill, in the National Hunt Chase.
In the day’s other races, Tom Scudamore won the Ultima Handicap Chase on board Un Temps Pour Tout for David Pipe, while Denis O’Regan won the closing contest, the Novices’ Handicap Chase on Tully East.
It was a bad day for Irish trainer Willie Mullins, who drew a rare blank, while Ruby Walsh is one of many high profile jockeys who have yet to get off the mark.
Updated
Some positive news on Edwulf
Injured in the day’s penultimate race, Edwulf is reported to be in better shape than was originally thought after he was pulled up by Derek O’Connor. Donnacha O’Brien, brother of the horse’s trainer Joseph, has been on twitter. It’s early days yet, but the prognosis seems decent.
Hearing Edwulf is up after a suspected seizure,all limbs fine. #fingerscrossed
— Donnacha O'Brien (@donnacha_obrien) March 14, 2017
Novices' Handicap Chase (5.30) result
1 Tully East (D F O’Regan) 8-1
2 Gold Present (J McGrath) 14-1
3 Two Taffs (D N Russell) 7-1
4 Powersbomb (Mr J J Codd) 22-1
20 ran
Also: 6-1 Fav Foxtail Hill
CSF: 115.30
Tricast: 856.18
Updated
Novices' Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m 4f
Denis O’Regan left it until late to play his hand but won with a superbly timed run on Tully East, who was trained by Alan Fleming at the Curragh in County Kildare.
Novices' Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m 4f
Killiney Court falls at the second last as Two Taffs makes ground ... Tully East leads them up the run-in .... Tully East wins under Denis O’Regan. Tully East wins the final race of the day after a race in which several came to grief due to the extremely fast pace.
Novices' Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m 4f
Foxtail Hill falls ... Burtons Well goes too at the following fence ... the grey Mixboy is in the lead at the final open ditch ... Gold Present is in second, Double Ws is also going well but there’s plenty still in contention ...
Novices' Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m 4f
Foxtail Hill leads them along as a fair old clip although his early jumping wouldn’t inspire too much confidence .... Sizing Tennessee, Double Ws, Last Goodbye are all in contention ...
Updated
Novices' Handicap Chase (5.30) 2m 4f
They’re off and running in the final race of the first day, with Foxtail Hill the favourite in what looks like a very open race. They’ve 16 fences to jump and Foxtail Hill is the first one to show as they all clear the first safely ...
A couple of horses on their toes ...
The delay seems to have affected both Hammersly Lake and Sizing Tennessee, who both look quite distracted after a long wait in the parade ring. Hammersly Lake looks the worst of the pair and is sweating up badly, which is never a good sign if you’ve picked him in the office tipping competition. I’ve got off to a good start, mind, having picked the last three winners in my selections for today. There’s over £100 up for grabs, so it’s well worth winning.
Edwulf is loaded into the horse ambulance
Having received veterinary care for half an hour, Edwulf has now been loaded into the equine ambulance where he will be given further treatment by vets who are clearly giving him every chance.
No news on Edwulf yet ...
Having broken down badly at the last in the previous race, Edwulf is still being treated out on the racecourse, which means there will be a delay to the start of our final race of the afternoon. The word on Racing UK is that Edwulf has been moved from the chase course to the hurdles course and our new start time is expected to be 5.40pm. Fingers crossed for Edwulf, a JP McManus-owned eight-year-old who is trained by Joseph O’Brien.
Novices Handicap Chase (5.30) betting
- Foxtail Hill 6-1
- Two Taffs 13-2
- Tully East 10-1
- Itsafreebee 11-1
- Bun Doran 12-1
- Burtons Well 11-1
Tiger Roll wins National Hunt Chase
Following on from the earlier victories of Labaik and Apple’s Jade, Gordon Elliott completed a famous Cheltenham treble with Tiger Roll in the JT McNamara National Hunt Chase.
Winner of the Triumph Hurdle over two miles in 2014, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding was sent off at 16-1 for this four-mile test. The seven-year-old was pulling rider Lisa O’Neill’s arms out running down the hill and picked up from the home turn for a ready three-length success. Missed Approach was second ahead of Haymount in third.
“It’s surreal, to be honest,” said O’Neill. “It’s an overwhelming feeling. I was just hoping up the hill that there was nothing there to pass me.
O’Neill’s boss was effusive in his praise for the amateur jockey, who also works in his office. “She’s decent and is an absolute star,” he said. “She pre-trains our horses and does everything for us. She’s an absolute star and I’m delighted for her.”
Updated
Edwulf breaks down ...
The well fancied Edwulf ran a good race in the National Hunt Chase, but broke down badly, was pulled up very abruptly by his jockey Derek O’Connor and is currently getting veterinary care out on the track. We’ll bring you more news on his welfare as we get it although he didn’t look great. Ballycross also finished the race unsteady on his feet but has perked up after getting sluiced down with water. His trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies says he is fine.
Preview: Novice's Handicap Chase (5.30)
Only one winning favourite in the past decade for this tricky handicap featuring improving young steeplechasers, with just a 5lb weight range from top to bottom of this 20-runner field. Foxtail Hill, a winner here in January, heads the betting but his stable seems to have gone out of form since then.
Killiney Court appeals as a progressive type from Ireland, while Zamdy Man has been a prolific recent winner who could yet be ahead of the handicapper. All Hell Let Loose is another Irish raider who may be carrying a few pound less than he strictly deserves and he appears to have been saved for this since winning last June.
National Hunt Chase (4.50) result
1 Tiger Roll (Ms Lisa O’Neill) 16-1
2 Missed Approach (Mr N McParlan) 50-1
3 Haymount (Mr P W Mullins) 33-1
18 ran
Also: 4-1 Fav A Genie In Abottle, 12-1 Arpege D’alene 4th
CSF: 641.63
Tricast: 22918.24
National Hunt Chase (4.50) 4m
Tiger Roll leads them up the hill, but is being taken on by Edwulf at the second last ... Tiger Roll and Lisa O’Neill go 10 lengths clear to win the JT McNamara National Hunt Chase for jockey Lisa O’Neill, who rides her first Festival winner. It’s a treble for trainer Gordon Elliott and owner Michael O’Leary’s second winner of the day.
National Hunt Chase (4.50) 4m
Missed Approach leads from Flintham, who makes a mistake at fence No20. Tiger Roll is third and going reasonably well despite an earlier mistake ... Ballycross is still in contention with three fences to go ... Flintham, Missed Approach and Tiger Roll ...
National Hunt Chase (4.50) 4m
All 18 horses are still running as Flintham leads from Missed Approach on the inside. Martello Tower is in third, followed by Ballycross. A Genie In Abottle is in midfield ... Tiger Roll is travelling powerfully in fourth position on the inside ... Martello Tower is pulled up as they go towards the 17th fence ...
National Hunt Chase (4.50) 4m
They’re away and running and seconnd favourite Beware The Bear almost came a cropper at fence No5. His jockey Sam Whaley-Cohen lost both his irons, but has since got his feet back into the stirrups. FLintham leads by three parts of a length from Missed Approach and Martello Tower ...
It's been a good day for the bookies ...
Defeats for hot favourites Melon, Singlefarmpayment, Yanworth, and Limini mean the bookies will be busy counting their winnings after the first day of this year’s Festival. According to Nicola McGeady, head of racing at Ladbroke’s, the firm were bracing themselves for a pay-out in excess of £3million this afternoon but were rescued by some surprise results.
“It is a change of luck for sure, as day one of the Festival has been known to be very unkind to us,” said McGeady. “We’re not counting our chickens just yet though as we are well aware that Cheltenham is a marathon and not sprint. With three more days to go, punters have plenty of time to get revenge. Tomorrow it’s looking like Neon Wolf, Tombstone and Carter McKay will turn into nightmare results judging by the early money we’ve seen thus far.”
Remember kids: when the fun stops, stop. Or alternatively, do as many other people do and continue shovelling good money after bad in the forlorn hope of getting yourself out of trouble.
National Hunt Chase (4.50) betting
- A Genie In Abottle 9-2
- Beware The Bear 5-1
- Edwulf 11-2
- Champers On Ice 7-1
- Arpege Dalene
- Martello Tower 12-1
- Arbre De Vie 12-1
- Bigbadjohn 16-1
- Tiger Roll 16-1
- Haymount 25-1
Preview: National Hunt Chase (4.50)
Being run in memory of JT McNamara, who died last year after being paralysed by a fall at the 2013 Festival. His young children are at Cheltenham today, presumably with their mother, Caroline.
Victory would therefore be especially important to the owner JP McManus, a longtime employer and friend of McNamara, who runs Edwulf. This one looked classy at Naas last time but he was taken very wide that day to keep him out of the pack and that may be why he avoided the jumping mistakes that have otherwise beset his career. Such tactics won’t work here.
Beware The Bear seems on an upward curve while Champers On Ice carries a significant home reputation as well as a first-time tongue tie. Flintham, a half-brother to the Gold Cup winner Coneygree, is appropriately tough. He was pipped last time by Bigbadjohn, who lines up here, though he comes from the Rebecca Curtis stable that has been short of recent winners. Tiger Roll is a Triumph Hurdle winner from the 2014 Festival who came alive in a big field for the Munster National and could do so again, though his stamina is far from assured for this marathon.
Updated
Indian Stream's prize money for a close 4th behind those classy mares must be the hardest-won £5,830 in the history of British racing
— chris cook (@claimsfive) March 14, 2017
Mares' Hurdle (4.10)
That’s what this game is all about - the three favourites in the betting came over the last together, with the former Willie Mullins horse owned by Michael O’Leary flanked by two current Willie Mullins horses owned by American owner Rich Ricci. It was O’Leary who ultimately prevailed, with Apples Jade refusing to let any of her rivals past. Gordon Elliott is the horse’s new trainer and that’s his second winner of the afternoon.
Updated
Mares' Hurdle (4.10)
1 Apple’s Jade (B J Cooper) 7-2
2 Vroum Vroum Mag (P Townend) 11-4
3 Limini (R Walsh) 6-4 Fav
17 ran
Also: 33-1 Indian Stream 4th
Non Runner: 4
CSF: 13.10
Tricast: 20.45
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) 2m 4f
Apples Jade holds them all off to win from Vroum Vroum Mag under Bryan Cooper. It was a thrilling race from the final obstacle, where Limini landed on all fours. Apples Jade wins the Mares’ Hurdle.
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) 2m 4f
With two left to jump, Apples Jade leads from Rons Dream and Vroum Vroum Mag makes progress around the outside. Jers Girl falls and brings down two others. Vroum Vroum Mag goes around the outside as they approach the last in the company of Apples Jade and Limini ...
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) 2m 4f
With six left to jump, Pass The Time continues to lead from Apples Jade, Rons Dream and Debdebdeb. Limini and Vroum Vroum Mag are improving up the outside in midfield ...
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) 2m 4f
Off they go in the Mares’ Hurdle, with Pass The Time, Rons Dream, Apples Jade, Indian Stream and Midnight Jazz making the running early doors ... Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini are side by side on the inside in midfield ....
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) 2m 4f
Willie Mullins saddles the first two in the betting market here in Limini and Vroum Vroum Mag. Ruby Walsh has opted to ride Limini, the 6-4 favourite, while Paul Townend takes the ride on Vroum Vroum Mag. Mullins has won this race in each of the past eight years and yes yet to get a winner on the board this year. They’ll be off and running very shortly ...
A word for My Tent Or Yours
Nicky Henderson saddled the first two home for JP McManus in the Champion Hurdle and My Tent Or Yours finished second in the Champion Hurdle for the third time, having previously finished runner-up last year and in 2014. This was his fourth Festival second place in all, having also found just one too good for him in the Juvenile Hurdle.
Mares' Hurdle (4.10) betting
- Limini 13-8
- Vroum Vroum Mag 3-1
- Apples Jade 7-2
- Jers Girl 12-1
- Lifeboat Mona 16-1
- Briery Queen 28-1
Preview: Mares' Hurdle (4.10)
This has tended to be a coronation for the only good horse in the line-up but not this time. Limini, Vroum Vroum Mag and Apple’s Jade combine to make this one of the best top-level clashes of the week. Limini is the obvious one, having impressed on her reappearance and being the choice of Ruby Walsh.
She tries to give Willie Mullins a ninth consecutive success in this race. Her stablemate Vroum Vroum Mag won this last year and would have stronger overall credentials but for an unusually weak effort in victory at Doncaster last time, along with rumours that she has not been working with her usual enthusiasm.
Apple’s Jade’s very best form would make her hard to beat and perhaps a tongue tie will help her run to that level. But she was convincingly beaten by Limini last time. Indian Stream appeals to me as a lively outsider, having shown good-quality form over fences in the past year, but the bookies do not fear her at 66-1.
Nicky Henderson record-breaker ....
The winning trainer has broken records today, saddling his 56th and 57th Cheltenham Festival winners. That’s a seriously impressive achievement.
Champion Hurdle (3.30) result
1 Buveur D’air (N D Fehily) 5-1
2 My Tent Or Yours (Aidan Coleman) 16-1
3 Petit Mouchoir (B J Cooper) 6-1
11 ran
Also: 2-1 Fav Yanworth, 14-1 Footpad 4th
Non Runner: 3
Updated
Champion Hurdle (3.30)
Buveur Dair wins the Champion Hurdle at his leisure for Noel Fehily, who wins the race for the second time. Nicky Henderson trained the winner for Irish owner JP McManus. That’s McManus’s 50th Festival winner.
Champion Hurdle (3.30) 2m
Petit Mouchoir leads from Brain Power and Buveur D’air. Yanworth is struggling as they approach the second last ... Wicklow Brave moves into fourth .... Buveur D’air moves to the front as they approach the last ... Buveur D’air wins the Champion Hurdle by several lengths from My Tent Or Yours.
Updated
Champion Hurdle (3.30) 2m
Wicklow Brave gets back in touch with the field, but at what cost to his energy reserves? Yanworth is hugging the rail in midfield as Petit Mouchoir continues to make the running from The New One, Brain Power, Buveur D’air and Yanworth. They’ve three hurdles left to jump ...
Updated
Champion Hurdle (3.30) 2m
The 11 runners and riders are off and running in the day’s feature race, the Stan James Champion Hurdle. Brain Power looked impressive in the race preliminaries, but they’re racing now with Petit Mouchoir, The New One and Yanworth making the running ... Wicklow Brave was very slow away and gave the rest of the field a 12-length head start ....
A nice spare ride for Mark Walsh
Yanworth’s jockey has benefitted from the misfortune suffered by Barry Geraghty after a bad fall at Kempton a fortnight ago left the 37-year-old big race specialist sidelined for this year’s Festival. Geraghty hopes to be fit again for Aintree, but in the meantime Walsh gets the leg up on the favourite in his absence and will be hoping to ride his first ever Cheltenham Festival winner in the day’s big race. The runners and riders are down near the start ahead of what looks a wide open Champion Hurdle.
Champion Hurdle (3.30) betting
- Yanworth 9-4
- Buveur Dair 5-1
- Brain Power 7-1
- Petit Mouchoir 7-1
- Moon Racer 9-1
- The New One 9-1
- Foot Pad 14-1
- My Tent Or Yours 20-1
- Wicklow Brave 20-1
- Sceau Royal 25-1
- Cyrus Darius 40-1
Non-runner: No3 Ch’tibello
Giving more than a stone in weight to the runner-up Singlefarmpayment, Un Temps Pour Tout clings on to win the Ultima pic.twitter.com/nHsrRQZuHM
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 14, 2017
Preview: Champion Hurdle (3.30)
A race seemingly shorn of star power, thanks to the absences of Faugheen and Annie Power. If a star is about to emerge, it would probably be the improving handicapper Brain Power or the fragile but brilliant Moon Racer, neither of whom have had a run in 2017.
The McManus-owned pair Yanworth and Buveur D’Air are more likely winners, if less sexy. Yanworth grinds it out but has a remorseless quality. Buveur is quicker but spent part of this season trying to be a steeplechaser and wasn’t completely convincing on his return to hurdles last month. The New One is trying to make it fourth time lucky, which doesn’t really happen in Champion Hurdles, although this might be the weakest one in which he’s taken part.
The improving Petit Mouchoir is expected to track him and kick for home at the turn, tactics which sound quite attractive. Cyrus Darius is probably being underestimated at 40-1 but his post-injury races have been a long way short of this quality.
Updated
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50)
1 Un Temps Pour Tout (T Scudamore) 9-1
2 Singlefarmpayment (A P Heskin) 5-1 Fav
3 Noble Endeavor (D N Russell) 15-2
4 Buywise (Adam Wedge) 33-1
23 ran
Non Runner: 21
CSF: 46.26
Tricast: 373.43
Updated
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) 3m 1f
Un Temps Pour Tout wins the Ultima Handicap Chase for jockey Tom Scudamore and trainer David Pipe. “He loves the hill,” says Scudamore. “He just becomes a different horse in the Spring. I knew halfway up the run-in we were going to get it.”
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) 3m 1f
Up the run-in and Un Temps Pour Tout and Singlefarmpayment hit the line together. I think last year’s winner Un Temps Pour Tout got up by a nose under Tom Scudamore, but let’s wait for confirmation.
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) 3m 1f
Go Conquer continues to make the running and is jumping well, while Pilgrim’s Bay is getting into contention ... down towards the third last and Go Conquer leads from Un Temps Pour Tout ... Vintage Clouds, Singlefarmpayment and Noble Endeavour are all going well ...
Updated
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) 3m 1f
Annacotty and Go Conquer continue to make the running with 12 fences left to jump and the field well strung out ... Pilgrim’s Bay is towards the back of the field ... Annacotty leads from Go Conquer and Un Temps Pour Tour as they set off on the final circuit with nine fences left .... Holywell makes a mistake and is pulled up ....
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) 3m 1f
They’re off and running in a closely packed bunch in the Ultima Handicap Chase, with Singlefarmpayment the favourite in the capable hands of Adrian Heskin ... Holywell, Go Conquer and Annacotty all well placed ... Caid Du Berlais falls at the first .... Annacotty leads them along on the inside of Go Conquer from Henri Parry Morgan ...
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) betting
- Singlefarmpayment 11-2
- The Druids Nepphew 8-1
- Noble Endeavour 9-1
- Henri Parry Morgan 12-1
- Ibis Du Rheu 12-1
- Holywell 12-1
- Un Temps Pour Tout 14-1
- Label Des Obeaux 16-1
- A Good Skin 16-1
Altior wins the Arkle Trophy
Altior did exactly what was expected of him by easily winning the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy. It would have been interesting had Charbel not fallen, but the brilliant 1-4 favourite readily batted away runner-up Cloudy Dream from there to score by six lengths.
“They went a good gallop and Charbel was still galloping away, but we jumped and travelled well,” said trainer Nicky Henderson. “We knew he’d come up the hill. He’s very, very good and there’s a lot to look forward to. We’ve gone down the chase route and we’ll have to stick to that now.”
On immediate plans, he added: “It’s not the sort of thing we need to jump to straight after the race, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t run again, Sandown would be the obvious way of going but he won’t go to Aintree. If he’s going to run again, I would have thought Sandown.”
Charbel’s jockey David Bass said: “I’m fine. It was a very tricky fence and it claims quite a few of us. He didn’t jump it badly, he just knuckled on landing.” PA Sport.
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) preview
The first of the week’s tricky handicaps is a 24-runner affair over three miles, with the last three winners all lining up to have another go. Un Temps Pour Tout was really impressive a year ago but he’s another 7lb higher and comes from the David Pipe yard that isn’t having such a strong season.
The vibes are good for The Druids Nephew, back down to the same rating as when he was such an impressive winner two years ago, though he’s not run to that level since. His trainer, Neil Mulholland, also has The Young Master, who was third last year and has it in him to win a race like this. Holywell won this three years ago, was second last year and finds the weather and the ground coming in his favour once more; still, it would be nice to have seen some recent form from him. He’s been hunting, which may have freshened him up, or he may still be remembering the early fall he took in last year’s Grand National.
Measureofmydreams is probably on his way to next month’s National, so a promising run from him could be significant. Pilgrims Bay is a tricky customer who needs to be delivered late and might stop to nothing if he hits the front too soon. Noble Endeavour is a classy beast from Ireland with the excellent Davy Russell aboard. A Good Skin, second in a different race at the last Festival, looks a lively outsider with Richard Johnson booked.
Arkle Trophy chase (2.10)
Charbel’s jockey David Bass cuts a very forlorn figure as he makes the long trek on foot from the final fence to the weigh room after falling while in the lead at the last. Both Bass and his mount seem unscathed, but the jockey’s reaction to the fall suggests he reckons he had plenty in the tank to take on Altior up the hill.
Arkle Trophy chase (2.10) result
1 Altior (Nico de Boinville) 1-4 Fav
2 Cloudy Dream (B Hughes) 12-1
3 Ordinary World (D N Russell) 25-1
9 ran
Also: 6-1 Royal Caviar 4th
CSF: 6.63
Tricast: 58.26
Updated
Arkle Trophy chase (2.10) 2m
Or maybe he is ... Charbel falls at the last to leave Altior in front. He’s challenged by Cloudy Dream, but pulls three lengths clear to win. Altior wins the Arkle Trophy Chase.
Arkle Trophy chase (2.10) 2m
Nico De Boinville gives Altior’s reins a shake and asks for a big leaqp at the second last. Charbel continues to lead and Altior isn’t going to have this all his own way ...
Arkle Trophy chase (2.10) 2m
With three to jump, Charbel continues to lead by a couple of lengths from Altior with Ordinary World in third ...
Arkle Trophy chase (2.10) 2m
They’re off and running in Racing Post Arkle, with Altior the white-hot favourite under Nico De Boinville. He jumps the first fence in fourth place. Charbel and Ordinary World are making the running, while Three Stars has already been pulled up ... with four horses behind them, Charbel leads from Altior with Ordinary World in third ...
Gordon Elliottt speaks ...
The trainer of Labaik said he considered sending his truculent horse to Naas on Sunday instead of Cheltenham today on the grounds that “it wouldn’t be as embarrassing if he refuses there. It just all worked out today. I told Jack if he jumped off to just hunt around and ride him for a place. I’ve always said he’s our best work horse in the yard. I don’t care if he never jumps off again!”
Good job Jack Kennedy finally persuaded Labaik to jump off last time. If not, seems horse wd have been banned for 3 refusals to race
— Greg Wood (@Greg_Wood_) March 14, 2017
Hats off to Jamie Codd ...
The Irish amateur jockey tipped the 25-1 winner of the first race at a preview event, prefacing his tentative prediction with the confidence-boosting caveat “you’re going to laugh at me, but ...”
"You're going to laugh at me..." - no-one's laughing now @CoddJJ! Labaik comes of age in fine style in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham: pic.twitter.com/SGfqG6fUTJ
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 14, 2017
Arkle Trophy (2.10) betting
- Altior 2-9
- Royal Caviar 7-1
- Charbel 8-1
- Cloudy Dream 12-1
- Forest Bihan 14-1
- Some Plan 20-1
- A Hare Breath 25-1
- Ordinary World 25-1
- Three Stars 50-1
Updated
Labaik wins the Supreme Novice Hurdle
Ireland got off to a flying start at the Cheltenham Festival as Labaik won the opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by rising star Jack Kennedy, 17, the grey six-year-old belied odds of 25-1 to readily deny compatriot and 3-1 favourite Melon by two and a quarter lengths.
“Words can’t describe what it’s like,” Kennedy told ITV Racing. “I was probably a little bit far back but they went a good gallop. It couldn’t have gone any better. Labaik’s career had been blighted by truculence as he has twice refused to race and was hardly a willing runner when sixth at Naas last month.
Joint favourite Melon, ridden by Ruby Walsh was ahead at the final hurdle but was beaten into second on the run-in, while the other joint favourite Ballyandy was always struggling after being involved in a mid-race collision that almost caused him to part company with his jockey Sam Twiston-Davies.
Updated
Preview: Arkle Trophy (2.10)
Here’s one of two “certainties” at this Festival, Altior being a best price of 2-7, meaning you can make a measly profit of £2 for every £7 you stake if he actually wins. Of course, there are no certainties in horse racing and certainly not in a novice chase, which this is. Still, it’s difficult to imagine Altior getting beaten unless he falls or unseats, which seems unlikely, as he has become quite an accomplished fencer. Next year, he might face a proper Festival race if he clashes with Douvan, the other “certainty” of this week in tomorrow’s Champion Chase. Charbel looks the next best horse in this but he’s already been comprehensively bested by Altior. Mullins’s Royal Caviar has the scope to be better than he has so far shown and perhaps he can press Altior over the final two fences.
Updated
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) result
1 Labaik (J W Kennedy) 25-1
2 Melon (R Walsh) 3-1 Jt Fav
3 River Wylde (Nico de Boinville) 8-1
14 ran
Also: 3-1 Jt Fav Ballyandy 4th
Tote: win 36.20 places 7.70 1.80 2.10
Tote Exacta: 226.30
CSF: 97.99
Tricast: 688.90
Laibaik wins the Supreme Novice Hurdle
Jack Kennedy, a 17-year-old riding sensation from Dingle in County Kerry rides his first Festival winner on Laibaik, a notoriously temperamental horse - in his past eight races, he’s won three and refused to start five times.
Updated
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) 2m
Cilaos Emery continues to lead, with Beyond Conceit close in second as they ap[proach the third last. Melon is going well on the inside and Ballyandy is in fifth with work to do ... they turn for home and head up the forbidding hill. Labaik moves up the outside to take on Melon ... Labaik leads Melon by a length ... Laibaik wins the Supreme Novice Hurdle for jockey Jack Kennedy and Irish trainer Gordon Elliott!!!
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) 2m
Soundtracked by the traditional Cheltenham roar that greets the beginning of the first race of each Festival, they’re off and running in the Supreme Novice Hurdle. Cilaos Emery makes the early running ... Cilaos Emery leads from Pingshou and Beyond Conceit with six hurdles to jump ... Ballyandy stumbles on the flat, forcing Sam Twiston-Davies up his neck, but horse and jockey together and running ... they’ve four hurdles to jump and Ballyandy is struggling ... Melon is going well ...
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) 2m
The runners and riders are down at the start, with the jockeys giving their mounts a look over the practice hurdle. They’ll be off and running very soon! The very best of luck to everyone involved and let’s hope they all come home safely this week.
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) betting
Ballyandy and Melon are now vying for favouritism at 11-4, with the money appearing to be coming in for Ballyandy, ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies. Ruby Walsh rides Melon, one of four Willie Mullins-trained horses in the race. Bunk Off Early (P Townend), Cilaos Emery (DJ Mullins) and Crack Mome (DE Mullins) are the other three Mullins runners.
Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30) betting
- Melon 11-4
- Ballyandy 3-1
- Bunk Off Early 7-1
- River Wylde 8-1
- Crack Mome 11-1
- Cilaos Emery 16-1
- High Bridge 16-1
20-1 bar
Just noticed that Cue Card has been the only 4yo in the past 20 years to win the Champion Bumper. Dato Star before him
— chris cook (@claimsfive) March 14, 2017
Preview: Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30)
Off we go with a race that has been dominated by the big-name trainers in recent years, Willie Mullins bagging three in a row before Nicky Henderson won it last year, with a Mullins hotpot in second place. Mullins fields four, with most eyes on Melon (“Melon for starters” is the cry), who hosed up on his hurdles debut in January. Still, just one run over hurdles makes him very inexperienced for a race like this and yet we’re supposed to take 3-1? Quite a few in the Mullins camp make a case for the tiny roan (a kind of strawberry grey colour) Bunk Off Early, who, if he gets boxed in, can just run between the legs of his rivals.
Henderson’s River Wylde is improving, while his Beyond Conceit is a big price at 20-1 for such a classy animal. Ballyandy has been running well all winter, though you could fret that his trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, is going through a lean spell, winning at a 6% rate since the start of February. High Bridge will attract some mug support because he’s ridden by Alex Ferguson (not that one, obviously). But since he’s unbeaten in three over hurdles and has looked pretty quick, High Bridge could end up making those backers look pretty clever. Labaik is the enigma; in his last seven races, he’s refused to start five times and won the other two. It could be a quick death if you trust him with your cash.
Barry Geraghty sits out this Festival
The Irish jockey is convalescing after puncturing a lung and breaking six ribs in a fall at Kempton 17 days ago. On the phone to Attheraces from Ireland, he describes his absence from the Festival after so many successful years as “a strange experience” and “a pity”, but says his lung has not quite recovered to the extent that it “would stand up to a hard fought finish or a hard fall”. He says he hopes to back for Aintree and will be watching this week’s proceedings from afar in Ireland. Geraghty has ridden 34 Festival winners and had to give up a string of fancied rides for this Festival.
Some pre-race listening ...
George from The Jockey Club has been in touch to steer us in the direction of their daily Cheltenham Festival preview podcast. In this one, we hear from Alan King, David Mullins, Henry de Bromhead, Tom Scudamore, Nicky Henderson, Brian Hughes, and Ruby Walsh. They also provide tips for day with Abigail Sawyer, Matt Woolston, and Jonathan Doidge. Enjoy.
Today's Cheltenham Festival non-runners
-
2.50: Antony
-
3.30: Ch’tibello
-
4.10: Colin’s Sister
Today's market movers ...
1.30 Ballyandy is strong in the betting and has joined Melon as the 100-30 joint-favourite. Crack Mome, the Mullins third-string, is out to 12-1 in a place. At huge odds, there has been bits of support for Glaring, though 66-1 is still available.
2.10 Altior is strong on 2-7 and it’s 12-1 or up everything else.2.50 Singlefarmpayment is down to 7-1 from the early 10s, while The Druids Nephew is 9-1 from 10s. Go Conquer (25-1) and A Good Skin (33-1) also have their supporters. Last year’s winner, Un Temps Pour Tout, is less popular and 16-1 is now generally available.
3.30 Yanworth is a strong favourite, down to 11-4 from the morning 3-1. Brain Power (7-1) and Footpad (18-1) are coming in for some support. Buveur D’Air is a general 11-2, the market perhaps taking the view that the ground is not moving in his favour.
4.10 Not much movement at the top of the market. Punters seem to be taking an each-way interest at huge prices in the likes of Rock On The Moor and Indian Stream, both 50-1 shots, in the hope that one of the big three misses the frame.
4.50 Edwulf and A Genie In Abottle have their fans and share the top spot at 11-2. Tiger Roll (16-1) and Arbre De Vie (20-1) are shortening with some firms.
5.30 One firm still seems to be offering 12-1 about Two Taffs but that price seems likely to come under pressure, along with the remaining 10-1. Similarly, Tully East’s 16-1 doesn’t seem likely to last, if indeed it is still available by the time you read this, with most firms going 11-1.
Dan Skelton tweets ...
The Warwickshire-based trainer says his horse Ch’tibello has been withdrawn from today’s Champion Hurdle due to injury. In light of this unfortunate setback, they will focus on the Punchestown Festival instead.
Ch'tibello out. He's got an infected foot; another bad timing case but he will go to punchestown.
— Dan Skelton Racing (@DSkeltonRacing) March 14, 2017
Making a difference
A change of headgear or a minor procedure to their breathing apparatus can make a big difference to a horse, or can at least indicate a determined effort by the trainer to elicit improvement. Here’s today’s list of horses that might take a step forward on their known form. Of course, there will be other reasons not yet in the public domain and it will be lovely to hear about those from trainers who make it to the winner’s enclosure ...
1.30 Cilaos Emery (hood worn for the first time)
3.30 Ch’Tibello (wind operation, tongue tie worn for first time)
4.10 Apple’s Jade (tongue tie worn for first time)
4.50 Champers On Ice (tongue tie worn for first time),Martello Tower (blinkers worn for first time), Missed Approach (cheekpieces worn for first time)
5.30 Its’Afreebee (cheekpieces worn for first time), Two Taffs (tongue tie and cheekpieces worn for first time), Sizing Tennessee (blinkers worn for first time)
Mullins v O’Leary
One of the most earth-shaking divorces in jump racing history made the news in September when Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary fell out with Ireland’s champion trainer, Willie Mullins, and hoiked his 60 horses out of the Carlow stable, redistributing them among other Irish trainers. Both men have had high points and low points since then but this Festival will go a long way to deciding which of them has ‘won’ the separation.
Their runners today
1.30
- Mullins: Bunk Off Early, Cilaos Emery, Crack Mome, Melon
- O’Leary: nil
2.10
- Mullins: Royal Caviar
- O’Leary: nil
2.50
- Mullins: nil
- O’Leary: Clarcam, Measureofmydreams
3.30
- Mullins: Footpad, Wicklow Brave
- O’Leary: Petit Mouchoir
4.10
- Mullins: Limini, Vroum Vroum Mag
- O’Leary: Apple’s Jade
4.50
- Mullins: Arbre De Vie, Haymount
- O’Leary: A Genie In Abottle, Tiger Roll
5.30
- Mullins: nil
- O’Leary: All Hell Let Loose
Preview: Novice Handicap Chase (5.30)
Only one winning favourite in the past decade for this tricky handicap featuring improving young steeplechasers, with just a 5lb weight range from top to bottom of this 20-runner field. Foxtail Hill, a winner here in January, heads the betting but his stable seems to have gone out of form since then. Killiney Court appeals as a progressive type from Ireland, while Zamdy Man has been a prolific recent winner who could yet be ahead of the handicapper. All Hell Let Loose is another Irish raider who may be carrying a few pound less than he strictly deserves and he appears to have been saved for this since winning last June.
Preview: National Hunt Chase (4.50)
Being run in memory of JT McNamara, who died last year after being paralysed by a fall at the 2013 Festival. Victory would therefore be especially important to the owner JP McManus, a longtime employer and friend of McNamara, who runs Edwulf. This one looked classy at Naas last time but he was taken very wide that day to keep him out of the pack and that may be why he avoided the jumping mistakes that have otherwise beset his career. Such tactics won’t work here.
Beware The Bear seems on an upward curve while Champers On Ice carries a significant home reputation as well as a first-time tongue tie. Flintham, a half-brother to the Gold Cup winner Coneygree, is appropriately tough. He was pipped last time by Bigbadjohn, who lines up here, though he comes from the Rebecca Curtis stable that has been short of recent winners. Tiger Roll is a Triumph Hurdle winner from the 2014 Festival who came alive in a big field for the Munster National and could do so again, though his stamina is far from assured for this marathon.
Preview: Mares' Hurdle (4.10)
This has tended to be a coronation for the only good horse in the line-up but not this time. Limini, Vroum Vroum Mag and Apple’s Jade combine to make this one of the best top-level clashes of the week. Limini is the obvious one, having impressed on her reappearance and being the choice of Ruby Walsh. She tries to give Willie Mullins a ninth consecutive success in this race.
Her stablemate Vroum Vroum Mag won this last year and would have stronger overall credentials but for an unusually weak effort in victory at Doncaster last time, along with rumours that she has not been working with her usual enthusiasm. Apple’s Jade’s very best form would make her hard to beat and perhaps a tongue tie will help her run to that level. But she was convincingly beaten by Limini last time. Indian Stream appeals to me as a lively outsider, having shown good-quality form over fences in the past year, but the bookies do not fear her at 66-1.
Preview: Champion Hurdle (3.30)
A race seemingly shorn of star power, thanks to the absences of Faugheen and Annie Power. If a star is about to emerge, it would probably be the improving handicapper Brain Power or the fragile but brilliant Moon Racer, neither of whom have had a run in 2017. The McManus-owned pair Yanworth and Buveur D’Air are more likely winners, if less sexy. Yanworth grinds it out but has a remorseless quality. Buveur is quicker but spent part of this season trying to be a steeplechaser and wasn’t completely convincing on his return to hurdles last month.
The New One is trying to make it fourth time lucky, which doesn’t really happen in Champion Hurdles, although this might be the weakest one in which he’s taken part. The improving Petit Mouchoir is expected to track him and kick for home at the turn, tactics which sound quite attractive. Cyrus Darius is probably being underestimated at 40-1 but his post-injury races have been a long way short of this quality.
Preview: Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50)
The first of the week’s tricky handicaps is a 24-runner affair over three miles, with the last three winners all lining up to have another go. Un Temps Pour Tout was really impressive a year ago but he’s another 7lb higher and comes from the David Pipe yard that isn’t having such a strong season.
The vibes are good for The Druids Nephew, back down to the same rating as when he was such an impressive winner two years ago, though he’s not run to that level since. His trainer, Neil Mulholland, also has The Young Master, who was third last year and has it in him to win a race like this. Holywell won this three years ago, was second last year and finds the weather and the ground coming in his favour once more; still, it would be nice to have seen some recent form from him. He’s been hunting, which may have freshened him up, or he may still be remembering the early fall he took in last year’s Grand National.
Measureofmydreams is probably on his way to next month’s National, so a promising run from him could be significant. Pilgrims Bay is a tricky customer who needs to be delivered late and might stop to nothing if he hits the front too soon. Noble Endeavour is a classy beast from Ireland with the excellent Davy Russell aboard. A Good Skin, second in a different race at the last Festival, looks a lively outsider with Richard Johnson booked.
Preview: Arkle Trophy (2.10)
Here’s one of two “certainties” at this Festival, Altior being a best price of 2-7, meaning you can make a measly profit of £2 for every £7 you stake if he actually wins. Of course, there are no certainties in horse racing and certainly not in a novice chase, which this is. Still, it’s difficult to imagine Altior getting beaten unless he falls or unseats, which seems unlikely, as he has become quite an accomplished fencer.
Next year, he might face a proper Festival race if he clashes with Douvan, the other “certainty” of this week in tomorrow’s Champion Chase. Charbel looks the next best horse in this but he’s already been comprehensively bested by Altior. Mullins’s Royal Caviar has the scope to be better than he has so far shown and perhaps he can press Altior over the final two fences.
Preview: Supreme Novice Hurdle (1.30)
Off we go with a race that has been dominated by the big-name trainers in recent years, Willie Mullins bagging three in a row before Nicky Henderson won it last year, with a Mullins hotpot in second place. Mullins fields four, with most eyes on Melon (“Melon for starters” is the cry), who hosed up on his hurdles debut in January. Still, just one run over hurdles makes him very inexperienced for a race like this and yet we’re supposed to take 3-1?
Quite a few in the Mullins camp make a case for the tiny roan (a kind of strawberry grey colour) Bunk Off Early, who, if he gets boxed in, can just run between the legs of his rivals. Henderson’s River Wylde is improving, while his Beyond Conceit is a big price at 20-1 for such a classy animal. Ballyandy has been running well all winter, though you could fret that his trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, is going through a lean spell, winning at a 6% rate since the start of February.
High Bridge will attract some mug support because he’s ridden by Alex Ferguson (not that one, obviously). But since he’s unbeaten in three over hurdles and has looked pretty quick, High Bridge could end up making those backers look pretty clever. Labaik is the enigma; in his last seven races, he’s refused to start five times and won the other two. It could be a quick death if you trust him with your cash.
Top jockeys at the Cheltenham Festival
- Ruby Walsh 52
- Barry Geraghty 34
- Richard Johnson 20
- Davy Russell 17
- Tom Scudamore 9
- Nina Carberry 7
- Sam Twiston-Davies 7
- Paddy Brennan 6
- Bryan Cooper 6
- Mr Jamie Codd 5
Ruby Walsh has been top Festival jockey for eight of the last nine years, only Barry Geraghty managing to interrupt his run with five wins in 2012. But Geraghty misses this Festival with three broken ribs, while the pregnant Carberry also watches from the sidelines. Richard Johnson, Britain’s champion jockey, has been blanked at the last two Festivals, while Brennan hasn’t had a winner here since 2010. These figures are for current jump jockeys only and so do not include the now-retired AP McCoy (31 wins).
Top trainers at the Cheltenham Festival
- Nicky Henderson: 55 career wins
- Willie Mullins 48
- Paul Nicholls 40
- Jonjo O’Neill 26
- Philip Hobbs 18
- Edward O’Grady 18
- Nigel Twiston-Davies 17
- Alan King 15
- David Pipe 14
Mullins had seven winners last year, eight the year before that and comes here with another very strong hand. Matching Henderson’s total is probably beyond him for this Festival, unless the Lambourn man draws an unexpected blank, but he’s on course to become top dog next year. Any winner for Paul Nicholls will take him clear of Fulke Walwyn on the all-time list.
Today's races and our tips
1.30 Supreme Novice Hurdle: Beyond Conceit 20-1
2.10 Arkle Trophy: Altior 2-7
2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase: The Young Master 25-1
3.30 Champion Hurdle: Petit Mouchoir 8-1
4.10 Mares Hurdle: Indian Stream 66-1
4.50 National Hunt Chase (amateur riders): Beware The Bear 8-1
5.30 Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase: All Hell Let Loose 22-1
If I’m right, Nicky Henderson is in for a flying start to this Cheltenham Festival. Everyone expects him to win the Arkle with Altior but I’ve also got him down for the opener (Beyond Conceit rather than the more fancied stablemate River Wylde) and the four-miler with Beware The Bear.
Henderson is the most successful trainer in Festival history but he’s never yet won the National Hunt Chase, so I guess it’s about time. I’ve also got the excellent young Wiltshire-based trainer Neil Mulholland down for a double with The Young Master and Indian Stream, though to be honest the latter is more of an each-way prospect. And without really intending for it to work out this way, I’m also expecting a big day for Henry De Bromhead, trainer of Petit Mouchoir and All Hell Let Loose, both of which joined him in the last year from other stables. The Waterford-based De Bromhead suffered a painful separation from the big-spending owner Alan Potts last summer but he’s ended up having the best season of his career and a couple of wins at this Festival would round things off nicely.
The 32Red Cheltenham Festival tipping competition
You could win a £50 bet from 32Red 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 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.
Updated
Welcome racing fans ...
It’s Day One of the Cheltenham Festival, the annual carnival of National Hunt racing that will draw over 250,000 punters to Prestbury Park over four days of the highest quality competition in the sport of horse racing. Guardian racing correspondents Greg Wood and Chris Cook are already at the course and will be providing regular updates and dispatches, while here at Guardian HQ we’ll be keeping you up to date with all the pertinent tittle-tattle on Champion Hurdle day. As is customary, you’re welcome to enter our daily tipping competition (details to follow very shortly) and we look forward to enjoying your company throughout the day.
Updated
