Mullins-Walsh put on a show
After a slow start to the festival that led to some punters losing faith with champion trainer Willie Mullins, the Irishman rewarded those who kept the faith with four winners in the day alongside jockey Ruby Walsh.
Who’d have thought we’d be going into day three of Cheltenham without a Walsh or Mullins winner.
— ㅤ (@Sam__Preen) March 15, 2017
Disaster for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh as hot favourite Douvan upset by Special Tiara in Champion Chase https://t.co/iNeIC3YWtO pic.twitter.com/hkXI8SVXOy
— Independent Sport (@IndoSport) March 15, 2017
The first race of the day saw a Mullins-Walsh winner as Yorkhill claimed the JLT Novices’ Chase before landing the Ryanair Chase with Un De Sceaux.
Off the mark at last! Yorkhill gives Willie Mullins & Ruby Walsh their first win at this year’s meeting #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/1J2a6RHtu6
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 16, 2017
Walsh then rode 10-1 Nichols Canyon home in the Stayers’ Hurdle before riding his fourth winner as Let’s Dance crossed in first to take the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Four of the best – Un De Sceaux, Nichols Canyon, Let’s Dance and Yorkhill shine in a fabulous Festival four-timer for Walsh and Mullins pic.twitter.com/bzSJLF4e22
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 16, 2017
Outsider wins the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir
40-1 shot Domesday Book gave British stables a first victory among a flurry of Irish winners in the final race of the day. The Stuart Edmunds-trained horse pipped Pendra to the line as rider Gina Andrews claimed her first Festival win.
Brilliant – many congrats to jockey Gina Andrews and trainer Stuart Edmunds with Domesday Book – a first-ever #CheltenhamFestival winner pic.twitter.com/BjiTalDKwW
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 16, 2017
Love a small stable like the Stuart Edmunds winning at the Festival #DomesdayBook Not always about the big trainers and big owners
— Simon (@PaddockInspecto) March 16, 2017