It was a great day one at The Cheltenham Festival as the Irish were victorious thanks to a Michael O'Sullivan and Rachel Blackmore masterclass.
O'Sullivan jockeyed Marine Nationale to success in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Following the early success on day one, O'Sullivan jockeyed Jazzy Matty to victory in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
Blackmore followed up her Cheltenham success by winning Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle on board Honeysuckle.
The Irish jockey entered this year's competition hoping to add to his success with Honeysuckle, who won the Mares' Hurdle in 2020 before winning the Champion Hurdle in 2021 and 2022 under the direction of trainer Henry De Bromhead.
In what appears to be the mares' final race at Cheltenham, she did just that, preserving Honeysuckle's unblemished mark at the iconic racecourse.
"She was unbelievable," Blackmore remarked after the victory, "the way Henry has produced her every day is phenomenal. As a jockey I am so grateful.
"She is a phenomenal mare, she has been incredible for my career."
After the win, trainer De Bromhead was overcome with happiness and highlighted the significance of the victory, "It is the fairytale ending isn't it? Or I presume it is the ending!"
Honeysuckle ends her career with a remarkable 17 victories from just 19 starts.
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