Well, what a day we’ve had. To sum it up, it was a dream day for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins.
Hurricane Fly was crowned Champion Hurdler, while Ruby finished up with a treble.
Thanks for joining me and hope we can bring you more winners and keep you up-to-speed again tomorrow.
Bye for now.
5.15 Result
1st Divers 10/1
2nd Quantitativeeasing 7/1
3rd Tullamore Dew 13/2
4th Vino Griego 20/1
Graham Lee and Divers take the honours! Incredible finish.
But, hang on, it’s Divers…
Definity there too…
Wide open here. Quantitativeeasing into lead…
Tharawaat into second…
Vino Griego ahead now…
Vino Griego is in second.
Sway is staying on too.
Nadiya De La Vega in the lead. Quantitativeeasing closing. Definity in seventh and closing.
Rougham has back tracked but Tharawaat is making ground.
Definity makes a terirble error. Ruby almost out the side door.
Nadiya De La Vega now in front. Tullamore Dew has made a slight mistake but all are still in the race.
Definity is well back, in about 11th, buried away.
Nadiya De La Vega is in third. Quantitativeeasing is in eight.
Now they’re off and it’s Rougham who leads and Tullamore Dew is there too.
Nope, one more turn.
We’re off and racing in the last, good luck…
Not far away from the of now in the last, couple of minutes.
You couldn’t rule out Tony McCoy and Quantitativeeasing in this either, strong chance.
10 minutes away from the lucky last and now they’re ploughing into Tullamore Dew, 13/2 from 8/1.
A treble for Ruby today and now the punters are backing him off the board to land the last on board Definity, 3/1 now from 5/1.
Very tempted to follow the flock but I’m sticking with my original selection, Tharawaat. Gordon Elliott’s charge is 14-1 and would round up the day very handsomely if he were to get into the money.
4.40 Result
1st Quevega 5/6f
2nd Sparky May 4/1
3rd Ocean Transit 50/1
So, it all goes to plan for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh today. The big two romped home. Well done boys. England 3:3 Ireland with one race left today.
Quevega eases past and demolishes the field. What a hat-trick!
Second last and Sparky May in front, Quevega hacking along in second.
Heading down the hill and Banjaxed Girl pushes on. Sparky May goes second and Quvega cruising.
Silver Gypsy is on the inside on Banjaxed Girl at the front. Quevega starts to improve.
Quevega only has three horses behind her.
Santera is running in third and Sparky May has settled down again after that mistake.
Quevega locked away towards the rear of the field, while Banjaxed Girl leads Silver Gypsy.
Bad mistake by Sparky May, nearly went there early on.
5/6 about Quevega now… and they’re off in the Mares’ Hurdle.
About three minutes away from the drop of the flag in the 4.40. Banjaxed Girl to finish in the money but I think Quevega only has herself to beat.
So, Quevega is 10/11fav, Sparky May is next best in the market at 4/1 and each-way support for Banjaxed Girl, 11/1 from 12/1.
Next up it’s the 4.40, in which Wille Mullins’ Quevega heads the market – our first odds-on fav of the day. It’s difficult to see anything else coming close to this girl, looking for her third win in the race on the trot.
A nice little return from that one and now the Irish are humming. It’s England 3:2 Ireland, with two races left on Day One.
4.00 Result
1st Sizing Australia 13/2
2nd Garde Champetre 5/1
3rd A New Story 12/1
A gutsy performance there from Andrew Lynch on board Sizing Australia. I think A New Story ran into third.
And he does it! Sizing Australia beats Garde Champetre.
Sizing Australia back in front…
But here comes A New Story and Garde Champetre.
Three out. Maljimar hits the front.
Maljimar looking very dangerous too, in second now.
Wouldn’t change my bet right now, A New Story going lovely in about sicth. Sizing Australia in front now. Quezac De La Roque enters the fray.
Maljimar is in touch but, hang on, L’ami has pulled up.
Sizing Australia gets closer to long-time leader Lord Nellerie. 20 of 32 fences jumped. Don’t rule out any if the market principles.
One Cool Cokkie has run out. Starting to string out a bit now. L’Ami still goes well mid-division.
13 fences jumped, 2 to go. Lord Nellerie, an outsider, still in front on Freney’s Well and Sizing Australia.
Freney’s Well is third and A New Story now fourth. Poker De Sivols is the back marker.
Sizing Austrlia in second and there’s been a blip for Garde Champetre. Nina Carberry thrown slightly forward in the saddle, but still okay.
A New Story is fifth, Lord Nelleire leads.
And they’re off…
So, 3m 7f of gruelling cross-country. They’re almost set…
Maljimar the clear 9/2f now but nobody biting for my fancy, A New Story. He’s drifted out to 12/1.
Enda Bolger has a serious team, as always, for this one but has warned most his main two have a lot of weight to carry. He’sstinking with Garde Champetre though.
Maljimar is now joint favourite with Garde Champetre for the Cross Country at 4.00. Both are 5/1. I’m sticking with last year’s winner, A New Story – each-way punt at 9/1.
There’s half an hour before the next race, the Cross Country Chase, and just thought I’d let you know there’s strong support for Maljimar – 5/1 from 7/1.
A huge welcome for Ruby and Hurricane Fly in the winner’s enclosure.
So, I had the winner and the place from my two selections. The day has just got slightly better!
Champion Hurdle Result
1st Hurrucane Fly 11/4f
2nd Peddlers Cross 9/2
3rd Oscar Whisky 7/1
What a class horse. Ruby Walsh rides his first-ever Champion Hurdle winner and holds on to beat Peddlers Cross into second.
HURRICANE FLY WINS THE CHAMPION HURDLE!
He’s over the last in front….
Here comes the Hurricane!!
Oscar Whisky over the second last in front.
Hurricane Fly yet to make a move but stalks the front runners.
Four fences remian and Overturn’s lead has been reduced with Peddlers Cross now second. Oscar Whisky makes ground.
Overturn, Bygones of Brid and then Peddlers Cross. Menorah jumped a bit gingerly there.
Hurricane Fly is mid-division. It’s a rapid pace.
Overturn leads as expected.
And they’re off and racing in the Stan James Champion Hurdle… Come on Hurricane Fly!
It’s sardine city at Prestbury Park. Everyone angling themselves for a good view of the feature event. Moments away from the white flag.
Dunguib has shot back out to 10/1. Oscar Whisky is into 7/1 now. Huricane Fly and Menorah still strong in the market.
Henderson was also sweet on Khyber Kym. Anyway, the other JOE journos are having a stab in the big one.
They’ve flashed the cash – one €1.50 win bet on Menorah and another €5 win bet on Hurricane Fly. They live dangerously, don’t they?
Five minutes to the off…
Nicky Henderson on Oscar Whisky: “He’s earned his place here… He’s in really good order… Menorah looks fantastic.”
Hurricane Fly is into 11/4 now. My each-way selection, Oscar Whisky, has been nibbled at – 15/2 from 8/1.
We’re 15 minutes away from the Champion Hurdle. I can barely hold my piss. Is it okay if I go to the toilet?
Last year’s Irish “banker” flop Dunguib is coming in for big support right now. It’s 8/1 about Philip Fenton’s runner.
Interesting that Overturn is trading at 33/1 from 50/1. A fiver each-way parhaps? But surely the Irish are due a win by now.
Are we making money? I’m certainly not but maybe we’ll be cheering home an Irish winner in the big one, up next. Hurricane Fly is the well-supported 3/1 favourite for the Stan James Champion Hurdle.
It stands England 3:0 Ireland after three races.
Another cracking finish. We really are being treated to vintage Cheltenham today.
2.40 Result
1st Bensalem 5/1
2nd Caroles Legacy 9/1
3rd Reve De Sivola 9/1
4th Fair Along 25/1
Choc Thornton squeezes Bensalem past the post in front of Caroles Legacy.
Great Endeavour falls at second last!
Two fences left. Bensalem looks menacing.
Well strung out now and Great Endeavour has a three lenght lead. Caroles Legacy makes ground now too, into second. Bensalem is third.
Rare Bob, the early leader, has pulled up. Great Endeavour left in front. Reve De Sivola second and No Panic third. Bensalem making ground.
Rare Bob leads, Great Endeavour goes well second, The Sawyer is third with a circuit to go.
Sunnyhillboy falls! Ouch, a real bad one. Favourite out of the race.
And last year’s winner Chief Dan George has fallen too! Rare Bob still in front.
Adam’s Island gone at that fence, bad fall.
Slow starts for Great Endeavour and Exmoor Ranger. Rare Bob takes lead.
We’re away in the third race of Day One.
Noel Meade on Realt Dubh’s third place finish in the Arkle: “No excuses, just wasn’t good enough. Paul [Carberry] said ground was slow, very slow in places and that should suit Pandorama.”
Each-way money for Tom Scudamore’s ride Wolf Moon – 14/1 into 11/1. We’ve about seven minutes before the off.
The money just keeps on pouring in for the JP McManus-owned Sunnyhillboy in the next. Now trades at 9/2.
Meanwhile, there’s lots of support for Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle. He’s into 3/1 from 7/2. Has he got it in him to see of Menorah and the rest of the classy looking field? Let me know what you think to [email protected].
Guess who’s back?
Ruby Walsh celebrates winning the Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Al Ferof, above.
Our tipster in Cheltenham, Niall Cronin, reckons Slippers Percy is the each-way bet of the day at 50/1.
Tony McCoy and Sunnyhillboy seems to be the way to go in the 2.40, according to the market – 5/1 from 6/1.
I had third place in the previous race and I’d settle for the same again with Exmoor Ranger at 25/1. If he gets a bit of luck he’ll be on the premises.
Well well, another fine race. Philip Hobbs can’t wipe the smile off his face but will he smiling after Menorah’s run in the Champion Hurdle later on?
It’s currently England 2:0 Ireland at the Cheltenham Festival.
2.05 Result
1st Captain Chris 6/1
2nd Finian’s Rainbow 7/2
3rd Realt Dubh 17/2
Late gamble landed by Richard Johnson on board Captain Chris. Finian’s Rainbow went through the top of the last fance but wouldn’t have won anyway. Realt Dubh was gutsy to take third from Medermit in fourth.
Captain Chris wins the Arkle from Finian’s Rainbow and Realt Dubh.
Geraghty cruising in front on home turn. Can Realt Dubh catch? Or Captain Chris?
Ghizao hits that fence hard. Realt Dubh making ground. Finian’s Rainbow still in front.
Finian’s Rainbow in front. Ghizao travelling stylishly. Four out.
Rock Noir the back marker. Ghizao goes well in fifth. Stagecoach Pearl takes up the running, chased closely by Finian’s Rainbow.
Medermit slow over the first. West With The Wind leads.
They’re away in the second race.
Captain Chris is a late gamble. 13/2 from 8/1. They’re almost ready for off in the Arkle.
Support for all three market principles – Medermit, Ghizao and Finian’s Rainbow – in this race due off at 2.05pm.
Nicholls’ runner Ghizao looks terrific in the parade ring. Can he make it a quick double?
Okay, we’ve about 12 minutes before the second to get our bets on and Medermit is the 11/4f. I’m siding for Realt Dubh for a place finish.
So, Paul Nicholls gets the first and we’re thrilled for Ruby to get off to a great start. Boy, if the next is an exciting as this we’ll need a defibrillator in here.
I’m off to put the kettle on.
1.30 Result
1st Al Ferof 10/1
2nd Spirit Son 5/1
3rd Sprinter Sacre 11/1
What a finish. The lead changed hands a few times over the last two furlongs. Sprinter Sacre, then Spirit Son, but Ruby got up to win it.
Ruby lands the first on Al Ferof!
Sprinter Sacre coming with big chance, as does Cue Card.
Sheer Genius back marker. Dunraven Storm alongside Magens Star at the front. Top of the hill now.
Magens Star now gone to the front. Pace is easy. Cue Card is eighgt with Recession Proof alongside. Cue Card went off the 7/4f.
Dermot Weld’s Hidden Universe leads. Cue Card held up in mid-division.
There’s the ROAR and we’re off in the first!! Come on Recession Proof…
As we’ve said before Mr Penniless, the complaints department is closed!
I only bet once a year and it’s going to be Hurricane Fly on the recommendations of the JOE pundits today. Just a warning lads, vengeance will be sought if I end up out of pocket! – Penniless in Portarlington
They’re piling into Cue Card now. He’s shot into 15/8 clear favourite.
Check out Niall Cronin’s tips for Day One, here. The Kildare man is a fine tipster.,
The going is good, good to soft in places, by the way. 10 minutes to the off.
Only four favourites in the last 20 years have won this race. Food for thought. And what about the pressure on Joe Tizzard’s shoulders? High expectations from this favourite.
Meanwhile, in the market there’s renewed support for Zaidpour despite the ground concerns. Also, more money for Magens Star and a touch on McCoy’s ride Sprinter Sacre.
Channel 4‘s John McCririck has sided for Cue Card in the Supreme Novices’. I think Recession Proof has a big shout, each-way value at 10/1. What do you fancy?
Cue Card, the favourite in the first, is all the rage on Twitter at the moment:
Go CUE CARD! Will relieve the bookmakers of £5million if he wins the first race. I just CANNOT see him getting beaten. – bluejag
Fingers crossed for Cue Card in the 1.40 at the #Cheltenham Festival… here start the best four days of the year. – IzzyShayle
Not much of a stir in the market for the first race at 1.30pm yet. Cue Card is in to 9/4 from 3/1 with most bookmakers, Zaidpour is on the drift (10/1 to 12/1) as Willie Mullins has said he feels the horse needs softer ground and there’s been a little support for outsider Magens Star.
Today, of course, is Champion Hurdle day and the main Irish hope is the Willie Mullins-trained Hurricane Fly. Ruby Walsh’s mount is currently trading as the 10/3 favourite with Boylesports.
Click here to read my preview of Day One. It’s full of winners.
Good afternoon and welcome to JOE’s LIVE tracker of Day One at the Cheltenham Festival.
Lord knows we all need a good start to have sending money for Paddy’s Day and, hopefully, we’ll be able to put you in the right direction with our tips.
First race is due off at 1.30pm, so that leaves about 45 minutes for you to get to the bookies in time.
