Cheltenham Festival RACING

Cheltenham Festival Day Three: Jordan Gainford claims first Cheltenham victory and Rachael Blackmore shines again

Rachael Blackmore recorded her second victory of day three as she rode Telmesomethinggirl to a win in the Parnell Properties Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Magic Daze led the majority of the race while Blackmore and Telmesomethinggirl bided their time.

However, nearing the last hurdle, Telmesomethinggirl powered through to overtake Magic Daze and claim victory.

“This is overwhelming,” Blackmore said after the race, “I didn’t think I’d enjoy Cheltenham this much.”

In the 15:40 Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase, The Shunter held on to seal victory as he claimed a £100k bonus for Emmet Mullins.

The race began with a delayed commencement after two false starts led to a standing start being implemented.

When the contest finally began it turned into a tight affair between The Shunter and Farclas but the Mullins horse powered through the final straight to wrap up an enthralling race.

20-year-old Jockey Jordan Gainford appeared bowled over after the race, as he spoke to ITV Racing: “It’s unbelievable, I can’t describe it to be honest.”

Previously in the day, Danny Mullins lead the pack on Flooring Porter (12/1) for the whole of the 15:05 Satyers’ Hurdle to win his first ever Cheltenham Festival title.

The six-year-old Bay Gelding finished a distance ahead of Sire Du Berlais (5/1) and favourite Paisley Park (9/4) to claim the victory.

Mullins was deputising for Jonathan Moore, who pulled out this morning because injury, but secured a stunning victory for trainer Gavin Cromwell.

Speaking afterwards to ITV Racing, Mullins said: “He’s [Flooring Porter] a proper good horse, but it was a late spare ride for me.

“The man you should be talking to is the man down there [Moore].”

Earlier, Allaho won the 14:30 Ryanair Chase as Blackmore once again rode to victory at this year’s meeting.

Allaho and Min ran out in front early on but Min seemingly ran out of steam and ended up not placing at all.

With three hurdles left, the race became much closer but the Willie Mullins horse stormed to victory in the end.  

Speaking on Allaho, Blackmore, who has now won on each of the three days of the festival, said: “He was just jumping and travelling, he’s a real galloper.”

“It’s an unbelievable position I’m in,” she continued.

Mrs Milner won the 13:55 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old ridden by Brian Cooper pulled away from a tight pack on the final straight to claim a well-deserved victory.

Local trainer Fergal O’Brien saw his two horses finish outside the top five as Ask Dillon finished sixth and Imperial Alcazar finished 16th.

The race suffered two falls as Storm Goddess fell with 10 hurdles to go and Kansas City Chiefs with seven to go.

Speaking after the race Cooper reflected: “It’s great. It’s been a lonely couple of years walking out of this place without any winners.

“It’s only you that can change things and I suppose I sat down with myself last year.”

Earlier in the day Chantry House won the first race of day three at Cheltenham Festival after favourite Envoi Allen fell.

Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old won the 13:20 Marsh Novices’ Chase comprehensively in the end, in another exciting race at this year’s meet.

Envoi Allen fell with 12 fences left to jump but thankfully the horse ridden by Jack Kennedy is well after the race.

Henderson said of jockey Nico de Boinville: “Nico has done nothing wrong all season.”

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