The first race of the week is won by Slade Steel, the Henry De Bromhead trained horse, won ahead of Mystical Power and Firefox.
The 6 year-old horse took lead just before the last, before holding off a charging Mystical Power in the sprint to the finish.
The famous Cheltenham Roar was heard around the town when the horses set off for the first time.
The was Rachael Blackmore’s 15th win at the Cheltenham festival, and De Bromhead’s 78th win over jumps this season.
It's @rachaelblackmor time again!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2024
Slade Steel wins the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle for @HenrydeBromhead #ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/0QjWbe933v
“It’s unbelievable, I obviously love this place, and it’s just amazing coming here, riding these kind of horses, it’s unbelievable” said Blackmore post-victory.
She also claimed she didn’t want to be leading over the last but Slade Steel “kind of took me there, and bounded back so well at the last” expanded the jockey.
The De Bromhead yard is expected to keep up the winning form this week, as one of the favoured stable across the week.
Slade Steel gathered more and more backing as the 13:30 race drew close, eventually going off at 7/2.
The owners Robcorp amassed a total of £75,965 in prize money for their victory.
The 2m½f course, was going soft (heavy in places) as light rain fell upon Prestbury Park.
Of the 12 racers, one in Gold Dancer was a non-starter.
More to follow…
