PUNTERS are back at the Cheltenham Festival for the first time in two years with Champion Hurdle Day well underway.
And Rachael Blackmore – last year's top jockey – has sailed to victory in the marquee Champion Hurdle but suffered a horror fall in the next race. However, she was pictured back on her feet and appears to be ok afterwards.
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- Craig Mahood
Tip time
Both unlucky in the last race and have had a pretty sound day collectively.
Templegate – THE TIDE TURNS can give Gordon Elliott his third victory in the past five runnings of this race. He kicked off his hurdles career with a big-field win at Punchestown and has held his own twice in red-hot Graded races including at Gowran last month.
Matt – Hopefully the good thing of the day in GAELIC WARRIOR for Rich Ricci, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. We are all slightly guessing, but the well bred Niarchos family import ran three times in France against decent opposition and ended up with a rating of 139.
- Craig Mahood
Warrior in name…
Gaelic Warrior, what will he be like?
He ran in good French races and the horses he had behind there, he could easily be running here with an extra stone or two on his back.
In fact, his owners are surprised he runs off such a low weight.
Today's his debut for Willie Mullins. Rich Ricci the owner…
Now 13/8.
- Craig Mahood
Boodles Handicap Hurdle
The penultimate race of the day.
And we have an unknown, potentially superstar-like runner at the head of the market.
Gaelic Warrior 7/4
The Tide Turns 6/1
Brazil 8/1
HMS Seahorse 9/1
Champion Green 11/1
Ebasari, Saint Segal 12/1
Too Friendly 14/1
Doctor Brown Bear, Prairie Dancer 20/1
Petit Tonnerre 22/1
Bell Ex One, Britzka, Forever William 25/1
Iberique Du Seuil, Sea Sessions, Skycutter 50/1
Doctor Churchill, Milldam, Swinging London 66/1
White Pepper 80/1
Feigh 90/1
*Odds from Betfair
- Craig Mahood
Looking ahead
Still two races to go this afternoon!
But a sneak peak at tomorrow sees the match-up we all wanted.
Shishkin and Energumene renew their rivalry in the Champion Chase in tomorrow's feature.
Nicky Henderson has had a cracking first day and his star is a short favourite having come out on top last time.
But SKYBET ARE OFFERING 50/1
- Craig Mahood
Mares' Hurdle
FULL RESULT
1st – Marie's Rock 18/1
2nd – Queens Brook 4/1
3rd – Mrs Milner 14/1
- Craig Mahood
Marie’s Rock wins the Mares’ Hurdle
Look at the storming finish up the standside from de Boinville and Marie's Rock.
- Craig Mahood
Nasty fall
The ups and downs of sport.
Cheered into the winner's enclosure half an hour ago and now Rachael Blackmore picking herself up off the dirt.
She was brought down when Indefatigable fell, just as Telmesomethinggirl angled for position and moved forward.
Blackmore with at least two somersaults in what looked a horrific fall.
Thankfully, she and Rex Dingle were up and hobbled back to the weighing room while both horses were up on their feet.
- Craig Mahood
Marie's Rock wins the Mares' Hurdle
Another win for Britain! Another win for Henderson and de Boinville.
A double on the card for that duo.
- Craig Mahood
4.10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
MARIE'S ROCK ABSOLUTELY FLYING!
Queens Brook just in front over the last but here comes Nico de Boinville.
And MARIE'S ROCK STORMS TO SUCCESS IN THE MARES' HURDLE!
- Craig Mahood
4.10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
TELMESOMETHINGGIRL BROUGHT DOWN!
- Craig Mahood
4.10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
Marie's Rock coming there too and there's plenty in with chances.
Marie's Rock charging up the stand side but four in with a shot.
Stormy Island and Heaven Help Us still there with Queens Brook.
- Craig Mahood
4.10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
Heaven Help Us takes over with two to jump.
Queens Brook comes to challenge.
- Craig Mahood
4.10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
Well bunched with four to jump at the foot of the hill.
Western Victory still leads as Queens Brook drops back slightly.
Telmesomethinggirl making a move down the outside.
Mrs Milner coming too.
- Craig Mahood
4.10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
Western Victory takes them along with a circuit to go at a steady enough pace.
Six to jump as Queens Brook moves up on the outside.
- Craig Mahood
4.10 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
AND THEY'RE OFF!
Telmesomethinggirl at the back over the first.
Quite well strung out.
- Craig Mahood
4.10 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle
The mares head out onto the course.
This is a bit of a minefield and you'll do exceptionally well to pick out a winner.
Mrs Milner the paddock pick to those who know what they're talking about.
- Craig Mahood
Templegate tip
QUEENS BROOK couldn’t quite catch Burning Victory when they clashed at Punchestown last month but can turn the tales with the benefit of that run under her belt. She was coming back from a break and Cheltenham’s hill should bring out the best in her. The winner that day is part of a typically strong team for Willie Mullins who has won this race nine times.
- Craig Mahood
How they bet
How's how they're priced, with three flip-flopping favourites at the head of affairs.
Telmesomethinggirl 9/2
Stormy Island 9/2
Queens Brook 5/1
Echoes In Rain 9/1
Burning Victory 10/1
Mrs Milner 14/1
Maries Rock 15/1
Heaven Help Us 15/1
Martello Sky 16/1
Indefatigable 30/1
Western Victory 170/1
Nada To Prada 500/1
Odds from SBK
- Craig Mahood
Odds cut
The bookies are absolutely running for cover now!
Gaelic Warrior and Run Wild Fred now less than 2/1 for their races in a short while!
Next though, onto the very competitive Mares' Hurdle.
- Craig Mahood
Current scores
Britain 3-1 Ireland
Speaking of numbers, that is now over £1.1million in prize money for Honeysuckle…..
- Craig Mahood
She's at it again
Would she handle the pressure of expectancy?
Everyone knows what she can do now, is she a target?
She should win on an odds-on shot, will she handle the pressure of a crowd?
Tomorrow's front and back pages 👇
- Craig Mahood
Champion Hurdle
FULL RESULT
1st – Honeysuckle8/11F
2nd – Epatante 16/1
3rd – Zanahiyr 28/1
- Craig Mahood
How she done it
An emotional Rachael Blackmore arrives into the winner's enclosure to a quite sensational noise.
How do you stop Honeysuckle? That turn of foot over the second last was always going to come.
But she powered clear.
- Craig Mahood
Honeysuckle wins the Champion Hurdle
15 wins from 15 starts for the hurdling superstar.
AP McCoy says Honeysuckle is now a 'hurdling great' after today's feat.
- Craig Mahood
Honeysuckle wins the Champion Hurdle
What an unbelievable ovation from the crowds who welcome the superstars back in.
And Rachael Blackmore is LOVING every minute of it.
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