Ladies Day at Cheltenham Festival provided a number of headlines throughout the day. Here are a selection told through social media.
Shock in the Champion Chase
Douvan was the main favourite of the day with a starting price of 1-4 in the Champion Chase. The majority of punters were more than confident that the Willie Mullins-trained horse would ease to an expected victory.
They would have had plenty of reason to back the 2016 Arkle Trophy winner as Douvan had won all 13 of his previous 13 races.
No chance Douvan is losing here. I’ll eat a hat if he does ??
— Jimmy Hart (@JimmyHart_) March 15, 2017
Yesterday this bookie paid out on a £400,000 bet on Altior…
Today they’ve had a £500,000 bet from the same punter on Douvan! ?? pic.twitter.com/AvI4wJ2eVq
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) March 15, 2017
However, the odds-on favourite did not even finish in the top three in the biggest shock of the Festival so far, finishing fifth.
Someone pulled this out the bag today. Didn’t even have Douvan in the top 3. #CheltenhamFestival ? pic.twitter.com/BPh348cMw7
— Over The Hurdles (@OverTheHurdles) March 15, 2017
Brief scare for favourite Might Bite
7-2 favourite Might Bite recovered from a lapse in concentration after jumping the last fence to win the RSA Chase in a photo finish to edge out fellow Nicky Henderson-trained Whisper.
Having had a lead of 15 lengths as he jumped the last, Might Bite suddenly veered off course before regaining composure to narrowly cross ahead of Whisper in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Might Bite finished that race like I walk home from a night out. All over the shop until I see the takeaway then I get back on track ??
— Chris Johnson (@johnsonchris88) March 15, 2017
ICYMI: Might Bite rallies to overhaul Whisper in RSA thriller pic.twitter.com/07nlNf38J3
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 15, 2017
First winner for local trainer
It was a special day for Bourton-on-the-Water-based trainer Ben Pauling as he celebrated his first ever Cheltenham Festival victory as his horse Willoughby Court saw off favourite Neon Wolf in a tight finish.
Reaction from @benpauling1 after David Bass and Willoughby Court had given him his first career #CheltenhamFestival win pic.twitter.com/nOVmgGM0s3
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 15, 2017
Fatality in Neptune Novices’ Hurdle
Pauling’s winner in the first race of the day was overshadowed by the fatal fall of the Henderson-trained horse Consul De Thaix.
Condolances to @sevenbarrows on the loss of the stunning Consul De Thaix #RIP pic.twitter.com/1kVNiBz44u
— Annie (@ifandbutwhynot) March 15, 2017
Consul De Thaix announced as a fatality in the Neptune, devastating. Highs and lows of our sport apparent – thoughts will all connected. ?
— THT Racing (@THTRacing) March 15, 2017
