THE Cheltenham Festival is well underway as the greatest show on turf continues!
We'll be bringing you ALL of the latest news, tips and results from Prestbury Park and even without the sound of the famous ROAR this year, there's plenty to enjoy.
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- Templegate's day 2 tips
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- Anthony Chapman
TV TIMES FOR DAY FOUR
- Anthony Chapman
TV TIMES FOR DAY THREE
- Anthony Chapman
TV TIMES FOR DAY TWO
- Anthony Chapman
SHISH KEBAB
Shishkin first, the rest nowhere.
Nicky Henderson's star made light work of his biggest test to date, extending his unbeaten run to seven in the Sporting Life Arkle.
The 4-9 favourite was happy to sit behind tearaways Allmankind and Captain Guinness throughout.
But jockey Nico De Boinville moved up a gear turning in and there was only ever going to be one winner.
Henderson's novice went on to triumph by 12 lengths with Eldorado Allen running into second at 33-1, repeating stablemate Altior's win in the 2017 renewal.
It was a case of job done rather than wow for Shishkin, with long-time expected challenger Energumene ruled out late in the day through injury.
Shishkin was cut into 6-4 for next season's Champion Chase - Anthony Chapman
HONEY MONSTER
Rachael Blackmore became the first woman to win a championship race at the Cheltenham Festival as she starred on Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle.
Cool as a cucumber, Blackmore timed her challenge on Henry De Bromhead's mare to the second.
As the front-runners began to falter, Blackmore had the 11-10 favourite poised perfectly to take the race up.
Turning in for home she switched on the after-burners and eventual runner-up Sharjah and third-placed Epatante had no answer.
Any doubts as to whether Honeysuckle could step up in to the big leagues were dashed as she pinged the final hurdle in isolation.
Blackmore and Honeysuckle were clear by six lengths - Anthony Chapman
BLOWN AWAY
Appreciate It made an absolute mockery of his rivals with a massive 24-length win in the first race of Cheltenham Festival.
Already some punters were asking if they had seen the performance of the meet in the first contest of the four-day showpiece.
The favourite, who went off at 11-8, flew over the final flight to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle with ease.
And, truth be told, absolutely no one could get near the Willie Mullins-trained superstar.
- Anthony Chapman
SNEEZY DOES IT
Super-sub Denise 'Sneezy' Foster landed her first Festival winner since taking over Gordon Elliott's training licence
After Elliott was handed a six month ban, Foster was drafted in to take the reins at the powerful Irish stable.
And she wasted little time in making her mark at Cheltenham, as Black Tears left it late to cruelly deny red-hot favourite Concertista on the line in the Mares' Hurdle.
Watching on from Ireland, Foster would have settled for second for much of the straight, but as Concertista tired under the shadows of the post, jockey Jack Kennedy pounced on his 11-1 shot.
Her first runners Abacadabras in the Champion Hurdle and Milan Native in the Ultima were both well beaten earlier in the day.
But any hopes of keeping the Foster show from hitting the headlines were ended with only her third runner.
Jack Kennedy notched his first winner of the week - Craig Mahood
BUT PIC OF THE DAY?
It has to be Rachael Blackmore.
The sport is put in a good light this evening thanks to her and Honeysuckle.
Rachael Blackmore takes the acclaim in the winner's enclosure aboard Honeysuckle Blackmore with the Champion Hurdle trophy - Craig Mahood
OH, WHAT A SIGHT
The pick of today's snaps from day one at Cheltenham.
- Craig Mahood
HOW DAY TWO LOOKS
This is the schedule for tomorrow's action, kicking off with the Ballymore.
The feature on day two is the Queen Mother Champion Chase – all eyes on Chacun Pour Soi for that one.
The day is rounded off by the Champion Bumper at 4.50.
- Craig Mahood
OH MY, GOSH
If anyone deserved a winner today, it was the Moore's and Goshen.
After the horror fall last year and the personal troubles the family have faced, nobody would have begrudged them a winner in the Champion Hurdle.
But he hung badly right down the back straight, with jockey Jamie doing well to get him back in with the rest of the bunch but his chance was gone at that point.
And trainer Gary Moore said his run was 'too bad to be true' and doesn't think Goshen will return to Cheltenham ever again!
I've been to see him and he seems fine. He had a little cut in the side of his mouth which might explain a bit why he was going that way but that can't be the full story.
I've never known him get warm before a race, but he got warm today. He hesitated about going into the paddock.
It wasn't a fall last year exactly but he's run very disappointing here twice now, so I don't think he'll ever come back here again. It was too bad to be true. Okay, he might not have beaten the winner, but if he'd finished in a punch-up with them then I'd have been a lot happier than I am.
Gary Moore
- Craig Mahood
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- Craig Mahood
LOOKING AHEAD TO DAY TWO
Are you still standing from day one?
If so, Templegate picks his three of the best for tomorrow's action, including a 9/1 NAP.
3.05 – Politologue NAP – currently 9/1
He didn’t get the credit he deserved for winning this last season. Like today, Altior was missing and plenty of people said Paul Nicholls’ runner didn’t have a lot to beat.
But it was still the Champion Chase and he won it brilliantly by galloping them into the ground. He looks overpriced to go close again.
1.20 – Gaillard du Mesnil NB – currently 9/4
He has looked a potential superstar this season and was highly impressive when winning the Grade 1 Golden Cygnet at Leopardstown last month.
He saw out the slightly longer trip there and that staying power will be a real asset. That smart effort was just his third run over timber and there’s more to come.
4.15 – Chosen Mate – treble for a bigger win – currently 8/1
He was impressive when winning this race 12 months ago and returns from just 2lb higher when taking his rider’s claim into account.
His whole campaign has been geared around coming back here with a run on the Flat and over hurdles before a couple of quiet spins over fences.
That should see him spot-on for fitness and we know this trip and track are ideal.
All prices correct on Betfair as of 17:35, 16/03
- Craig Mahood
WRAPPING UP DAY ONE
Before we take an early look at what tomorrow brings, let's look at what day one brought us.
It was a nightmare start for the bookies as the two warm favourites in the opening couple of races bolted up.
Willie Mullins with his customary winner in the first as Appreciate It bolted clear to claim the Supreme.
Quickly followed by a win for Britain and Nicky Henderson as Shishkin went in like a strong 4/9 shot should, clearing away from his rivals.
A bit of a fairytale moment for Vintage Clouds followers who have seen the grey fail several times in the past at the Festival, to finally see his nose in front in the Ultima.
Then the story of the day. History MADE as Rachael Blackmore becomes the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle aboard the Henry de Bromhead superstar Honeysuckle.
Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore make history in the Champion Hurdle Blackmore has said in the past she wants to be known as a jockey and not associated with her sex and she proved to be every bit as good as any other rider in the field to inspire a generation of young lady riders. Sensational.
Denise Foster – taking over from disgraced Gordon Elliott – got her first win as a trainer as Jack Kennedy got his first on the board above Black Tears – reeling in odds-on favourite Concertista. Finally, respite for those poor bookies!
The big outside win of the day coming in the Boodles, with Noel Meade's Jeff Kidder kicking clear over the last to pull away from Saint Sam under Sean Flanagan for his first Festival win.
And Jack Kennedy made it a double for him with a win in the finale as Galvin got home in the NH Chase to fend off his two market rivals in Next Destination and Escaria Ten.
Galvin gets home for Jack Kennedy in the last - Craig Mahood
GALVIN'S SUCCESS
The three at the head of the market all with live chances jumping the last.
But it was Jack Kennedy who got to the front on Galvin for his second win of the day.
- Craig Mahood
NATIONAL HUNT CHASE: FULL RESULT
1st – Galvin 7/2
2nd – Next Destination 3/1
3rd – Escaria Ten 11/4F
4th – Snow Leopardess 16/1
- Craig Mahood
GALVIN WINS NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
A double on the opening day for Jack Kennedy after his win on Black Tears in the Close Brothers.
A win for trainer Iain Ferguson too!
- Craig Mahood
4.50 NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
FINAL FENCE
Galvin gets a gap and jumps to the front.
Next Destination is rallying to the line though as Kennedy's mount needs the line.
AND GETS IT! GALVIN WINS THE NATIONAL HUNT CHASE!
- Craig Mahood
4.50 NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
3f TO GO
Remastered's race is run.
Galvin, Next Destination and Escaria Ten battle it out towards the last.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
3 TO JUMP
Remastered still leads Next Destination, Snow Leopardess and Escaria Ten.
The Mighty Don and Galvin closing well too.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
1 MILE TO GO
Lithic and Macgiloney pulled up down the back.
The rest still in it with four to jump.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
ONE CIRCUIT TO GO
No change in the order as they jump fence number 13.
Remastered being allowed to do their own thing as Next Destination and Snow Leopardess travel well in behind.
Macgiloney again not smooth at the back and Lithic makes a mistake.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
Galvin again nodding on landing over the eighth.
Remastered leads Next Destination with Escaria Ten and Snow Leopardess in behind.
Ten lengths from first to last as Macgiloney brings up the rear.
- Craig Mahood
4.50 NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
Remastered takes the early lead as Galvin snatches at the second fence but gets over safely.
Next Destination, Snow Leopardess and Nestor Park track the leader early on.
- Craig Mahood
FLAG RAISED IN THE NATIONAL HUNT CHASE….
AND THEY'RE OFF!
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