Its the first leg of a four day marathon at Cheltenham where Altior confirmed he’s one of the smartest chasers around and Buveur D’Air returned to hurdling to claim the biggest prize of all.
1.30pm Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Result
1st: Labaik – 25/1
2nd: Melon – 3/1 JF
3rd: River Wylde – 8/1
Full result from the 2.10 Arkle Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham. #CheltMental pic.twitter.com/53wsK5O9Z6
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 14, 2017
Feeling like a Melon? Well don’t, because despite 25/1 outsider Labaik winning, favourite backers got there wagers refunded as a free bet with Paddy Power’s Cheltenham offer. T&C’s apply.
25-1 shot Labaik springs a huge shock in the opener under a brilliant ride by 17-year-old Jack Kennedy to beat 3-1JF Melon #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/65dJi2vHh3
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2017
2.10pm Arkle Chase -Result
1st: Altior 1/4 F
2nd: Cloudy Dream 12/1
3rd: Ordinary World 25/1
After Charbel fell at the second last, punters got back on track as one of the most fancied horses at the Festival delivered on his promise!
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Awesome Altior makes it a record-breaking six Arkles for trainer Nicky Henderson under @NdeBoinville #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/QPwjVTRCEY
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2017
2.50pm The Ultima Handicap Chase – Result
1st: Un Temps Pour Tout 9/1
2nd: Singlefarmpayment 5/1 F
3rd: Noble Endeavour 15/2
4th: Buywise 33/1
5th: Go Conquer 20/1
FULL RESULT of Ultima Handicap Chase where we were paying FIVE PLACES! #CheltMental pic.twitter.com/UJtiUtFLpV
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 14, 2017
Last year’s winner Un Temps Pour Tout just squeezed past favourite Singlefarmpayment on the line thanks to a photo finish.
Jump over to PaddyPower.com for all the best Cheltenham odds
Will owner Professor Caroline Tisdall be tempted to go for a Gold Cup with Un Temps Pour Tout? "We'll have a go!" #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/70Eba5TF51
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2017
3.30pm Champion Hurdle- Result
1st: Buveur D’Air 5/1
2nd: My Tent Or Yours 25/1
3rd: Petit Mouchoir 6/1
Nicky Henderson becomes the winning-most trainer of the Champion Hurdle (six wins) as Buveur D’Air returns to the smaller obstacles to triumph from stablemate My Tent Or Yours.
Nicky Henderson becomes the most successful trainer in Champion Hurdle history after Buveur D'Air storms home under Noel Fehily #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/QZbX99jnoQ
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2017
4.10pm Mares’ Hurdle- Result
1st: Apple’s Jade 7/2
2nd: Vroum Vroum Mag 11/4
3rd: Limini 6/4 F
Apple’s Jade managed to squeeze between the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini to claim a stunning victory in the Mares Hurdle.
It's a double for Golden Elliot as Apple's Jade takes the OLBG Mares' Hurdle from the Ricci pair of Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/3diKbF25Nr
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2017
4.50pm JT McNamara National Hunt Chase – Result
1st: Tiger Roll 16/1
2nd: Missed Approach 50/1
3rd: Haymount 33/1
4th: Arpege Dalene 12/1
Tiger Roll handed Lisa O’Neill her first win at the Festival and helped land a treble for Irish trainer Gordon Elliott on the day.
"I trained 3 winners last year, I said if I trained one this year I'd be happy!" Gordon Elliot lands an opening day hat-trick #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/UCxWIBz5kV
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2017
5.30pm The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase – Result
1st: Tully East 8/1
2nd: Gold Present 14/1
3rd: Two Taffs 14/1 2F
4th: Powersbomb 22/1
A cool ride by Denis O’Regan sees 8-1 shot Tully East capture the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase @CheltenhamRaces #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/s32NN3yYF6
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 14, 2017