4:00 – Champion Hurdle
Winner – Lossiemouth
The Willie Mullins golden mare reigns supreme. The first time cheekpieces kept her livelier through the first part of the races, stalking Brighterdaysahead. The New Lion was always in behind the two mares and couldn’t find enough off the bend to close. Brighterdaysahead was second last of the bridle but again struggled to fire up the Cheltenham hill.
Paul Townend via ITV
“She deserves the congratulations”
““When I put her cheek pieces on her I thought, wow, that’s the old Lossiemouth.”
3.20 – The Ultima Handicap Chase
Winner – Johnnywho
Johnnywho kept with the leaders for the majority of the race. Quebecois led the charge after the bend, and Jagwar stayed well after the last to come home second. It was Johnnywho first over the line, however, at a SP of 20/1, which is the biggest price winner of the festival so far. Richie McLernon returned was back after a seven month injury.
Richie McLernon via ITV
“Thank you to NHS at Gloucester”
“You’re in a rush to get back and races like that make it worth it”
“I still think there’s a bit of life in me yet”
“I’m very lucky to be involved in the O’Neal team”
2:40 – The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Winner – Saratoga
A horse that was 13/2 this morning set off at 10-1 and led most of the race, outstaying Winston Junior and Klycot towards the end. Mark Walsh positioned him well, giving him the best possible chance in a wide field. JP McManus with his 85th festival winner on his 75th birthday.
Mark Walsh via ITV
“I got a brilliant run and a great start”
“He went about and did it very easy”
2:00 – Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase
Winner – Kargese
The two market favourites were both beat by the mare Kargese for Willie and Danny Mullins. Kopek Des Bordes travelled best into the race but a bad mistake at the last put him on the back foot. Lulamba didn’t look too comfortable from the top of the hill down to the bend, being outpaced by the two Mullins horses. Kargese made the running and jumped soundly which gave her the edge at the last.
Danny Mullins, talking to ITV, said: “She’s been called hot-headed, but I’ve always had a good relationship with her”
“Everyone expected us to burn off in front, we were just using our jumping as our strongest asset”
“I didn’t burn the petrol to early, she did her best work in the last furlong”
1:20pm – The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Winner – Old Park Star
The favourite lands in the first with Old Park Star overcoming a stumble at the last to beat out MyDaddyPaddy and Sober Glory. It was a disappointing renewal with market favourites Talk The Talk being beaten a long way out, El Cairos never getting closer than midfield and Mighty Park finding nothing up the Cheltenham Hill.
A word from Nico De Boinville via ITV, “Incredibly gutsy, a bit of a bump from a MyDaddyPaddy”
“I always though he would stay well and eat up the hill, which he did”
“We always have a supreme winners so that’s fantastic”
Nicky Henderson said to ITV Racing, “There’s no better one to get in the bag everybody knows that, to get one on the scoreboard. England’s even in front now!’
Gordon Hall Old Parks Star co-owner via ITV:
Will Old Parks Star will be an Arkle runner or a Champion Hurdle runner? “That’ll be a decision for Nicky, not just us. He’s looking after him everyday,” said Hall.
“It is a chaser, we’ll see where we go from here. If he comes out of this okay, it’s a brilliant start to a young horse’s career.”
