Cheltenham Results: Altior supreme – but William Henry the big surprise

Oh look - just another bloody brilliant day at Cheltenham!

William Henry

By / Cheltenham Festival, Horse Racing Tips / 5 years ago

Ballymore Novices – 1.30pm

It couldn’t have worked out more perfectly for Sean Mulryan in the opener, could it? Not only does he sponsor the race, he owns the winner, City Island, too. Some folks have all the luck.

It was a cracker of a first race and it came down to a shootout with the favourite, Champ, and City Island as they battled it out down the back straight. Mark Walsh emerged the victor though, making him the first jockey to notch two wins so far in the Festival.

Result

1st – City Island @ 8/1
2nd – Champ @ 9/2 Fav
3rd – Bright Forecast @ 25/1
4th – Brewin’upastrom @ 11/1

RSA Chase – 2.10pm

What a beast of a horse Topofthegame is! He was literally stepping over the hurdles he’s that huge. But it was no easy victory and he was made to work for it in the end.

At the last, it was Santini who just about got over first ahead of him and Delta Work but Harry Cobden found that bit more in the tank and stretched the legs to give him a brilliant victory.

He’s heading to the Gold Cup next year says Paul Nicholls. Watch this space or else get on now!

Result

1st – Topofthegame @ 4/1
2nd – Santini @ 3/1
3rd – Delta Work @ 15/8

Coral Cup – 2.50pm

Anyone have this forecast?

What a thriller of a race the Coral Cup turned out to be. Paddy-last at one stage, Festival favourite Wicklow Brave came from nowhere to lead the run in with a only a handful of strides to go but was agonisingly pipped at the line by last year’s fourth place, William Henry.

Gee-gees drama at its best. Tipped by our own Matthew Chapman as well.

Result

1st – William Henry @ 28/1
2nd – Wicklow Brave @ 28/1
3rd – Ballyandy @ 14/1
4th – Brio Conti @ 10/1

Champion Chase – 3.30pm

A disappointing performance by Min but take nothing away from the sheer brilliance of Altior. At one stage he looked like he was vulnerable but he did what champions do and found another gear, riding to his 18th consecutive victory ahead of an excellent performance by Politologue.

Simply sublime and a joy to watch. What a machine.

Result

1st – Altior @ 4/11
2nd – Politologue @ 11/1
3rd – Sceau Royal @ 16/1

Cross Country – 4.10pm

Miniature in stature but mighty in standing. All hail the legend, Tiger Roll, who crossed the line miles clear of Josies Order and Urgent De Gregaine in what was a well raced Cross Country.

Gordon Elliott’s charge retains his title with Keith O’Donoghue on-board and the Aintree Grand National is looking like the next stop to do another repeat performance. What are the odds, we hear you say?

Result

1st – Tiger Roll @ 5/4
2nd – Josies Orders @ 15/2
3rd – Urgent De Gregaine @ 17/2

Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle – 4.50pm

Joseph O’Brien can crack open a can of 7-Up tonight as he heats up his water bottle after he notched up his first win of the festival, while simultaneously giving the Irish their third winner of the day. His juvenile hurdler, Band of Outlaws, showed his class coming from the outside to power past Gordon Elliot’s Coko Beach and take it with a two-length victory.

Result

1st – Band of Outlaws @7/2
2nd – Coko Beach @ 14/1
3rd – Ciel de Neige @ 17/2
4th – King D’Argent @ 25/1

Champion Bumper – 5.30pm

We went to the flat for the final race of the day and it didn’t disappoint.

Envoi Allen went off favourite and justified the tag. He stayed on the outside for the whole run, picking it up on the home straight and just when it looked like Barry Geraghty might catch him on Blue Sari with a couple of furlongs to go, he managed to find enough in the tank to stave off the challenge and get his nose past the line first.

Another win for Gordon Elliott and Jamie Codd.

Result

1st – Envoi Allen @ 2/1
2nd – Blue Sari @ 7/2
3rd – Thyme Hill @ 20/1

Find the betting for Day Three over at paddypower.com

What do you think?