In what many saw as a two-horse race (excusing the pun) it was Bob Olinger and Rachel Blackmore who came out on top as Galopin De Champs falls at the final hurdle.
The first race of St. Patricks day ended in a shocking finish as favourite Galopin Des Champs fell at the final hurdle to allow Olinger to cruise to victory comfortably.
Bob Olinger wins the Galopin Turners Novices' Chase 😲
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 17, 2022
Galopin Des Champs falls at the last when cruising towards the win but is ok and back up on his feet soon after#CheltenhamFestival | #ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/CHAhEUSb3D
The two had been at it hammer and tongs for the duration of the race, well clear of their fellow opponents, as they set the tone for the opening race of the day.
Turners Novices Chase turned out the way many pundits had anticipated in many ways, with the two favourites dictating the pace, however, the only major shock being Galopin’s fall at the final.
To that point, Des Champs was at least four lengths in front and looked dead set to confirm the pundits confidence in him, before his shocking tumble. A thrilling way to kick start the day for the Irish as we head into the thick of day 3.