CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL Day Two is HERE with the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
On the opening day, Rachael Blackmore sailed to victory in the Champion Hurdle – but suffered a horror fall in the following race.
However, the Irish ace was pictured back on her feet and appears to be ok afterwards.
SunSport has you covered here for all the runners and riders, with our race-by-race schedule, TV and streaming guide, because ITV won't be broadcasting every race.
- Cheltenham Festival FREE BETS – new customer offers
- Race schedule, TV channel and live stream info for the biggest show on turf
- Get £60 in FREE BETS – Get £10 to spend on SIX races on Tuesday with Paddy Power
- Gold Cup 2022 guide – all the latest odds for Friday's showpiece race
Stay up to date with all the latest from Cheltenham Festival in our live blog…
- Kostas Lianos
More from Blackmore
“I was kind of wider than I’d like everywhere until about halfway round but I just slotted in behind and we got our gap then.
“Jockeys dream of getting on good horses but she takes that to a whole new level. She’s special, once-in-a-lifetime.
“It’s easy to ride her with so much confidence because she always finds a way to do it.
"It’s some feeling, jumping the last and hearing the crowd, it’s just an incredible place”
- Kostas Lianos
Rachael Blackmore reacts
Rachael Blackmore, who won with Honeysuckle is happy that the crowd is back in Cheltenham.
Blackmore said: “It was incredible, walking back down that chute.
“The reception we got the whole way down, this is such a special place and we missed the crowds last year.
"To have them back this year is just unbelievable. We were just buzzing.
"Last year was fantastic, but Cheltenham is about the people and they really didn’t let us down”
- Kostas Lianos
Big Cheltenham turnout
The first day of this year's Cheltenham festival was absolutely packed yesterday.
That was the first time crowds have been allowed back since the 2020 meeting when the coronavirus pandemic kicked in.
A total of 68,506 people showed up as we are trying to return to normality.
That was a record for Day One
- Kostas Lianos
Cheltenham Day One Results
Here's a reminder of all the winners from the first day of Cheltenham:
Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle – Constitution Hill
Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase – Edwardstone
Ultima Handicap Chase – Corach Rambler
Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy – Honeysuckle
Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle – Marie’s Rock
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Brazil
Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Novices’ Chase – Stattler
- Jack Figg
Honeysuckle shines with 'Never ending' glory
Honeysuckle's 'never-ending fairytale' reached new heights with her repeat Champion Hurdle win yesterday.
Now it's the turn of Put The Kettle On and Tiger Roll to hunt double-up glory today.
Rachael Blackmore matched her 2021 triumph – to empty stands – by steering Honeysuckle to victory in front of ecstatic crowds his time around
The 8/11 favourite beat beating 2020 champion Epatante and Zanahiyr to become the first mare to win the Champion Hurdle twice
In all, Honeysuckle is undefeated in 15 races for trainer Henry de Bromhead.
He said: "She's incredible – it is the never-ending fairytale. I always prepare for myself for it to end but it never does.
"Unreal. It is incredible to get the roar and I just hoped that she would get it."
Blackmore herself enthused: "I'm so lucky to ride winners here and this mare – she's just incredible."
As for today, The Queen Mother Champion Chase tops the attention.
Nicky Henderson's Shishkin is odds-on to keep his unbeaten record over fences in a long-awaited rematch with Energumenein.
But last year's winner Put The Kettle On and runner-up Nube Negra also compete.
And in the Cross Country Chase Tiger Roll is after a record-equalling sixth Festival win.
- Ian Tuckey
Henderson: Shishkin in prime condition
Nicky Henderson believes Shishkin is in perfect nick to give him a record seventh Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase victory.
Shishkin is odds-on favourite to keep his unbeaten record over fences but his rematch with Energumene is still keenly awaited.
Willie Mullins-trained Energumene was narrowly defeated when they met in January's Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
And Henderson said: "Ascot doesn't seem to have left a mark on him. He seems in very good form.
"The way he races means he doesn't give himself a hard time. He'll follow anybody.
"I'd expect the same sort of tactics at Cheltenham, unless Willie does something different, but I'm sure there'll be a good pace on."
- Ian Tuckey
Jame's is a giant peach
MATT CHAPMAN: The Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper over an extended 2m. A bit of a guessing game.
Cleary Facile Vega and American Mike both look very good. I'm chancing JAMES'S GATE for Willie Mullins and Sean O'Keeffe.
The Shantou gelding looked good when hacking up at Punchestown on debut and he might be good enough – he might not! Ditched by Patrick Mullins.
Hopefully a day of Yeeehaaas.
- Ian Tuckey
Thyme to shine
MATT CHAPMAN: The Grand Annual Challenge Cup over 2m is always tricky.
THYME WHITE really came good over fences at Doncaster last time and has eachway claims for Paul Nicholls and Bryony Frost.
My hope has run in a Boodles and County Hurdle before, and was not disgraced off 141 when ninth in a Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
He's 142 here so if he's finally coming good the handicap mark might be workable. Should be able to sit just off what is sure to be a strong gallop.
- Ian Tuckey
'Cheltenham death toll unacceptable'
The death of Shallwehaveonemore earlier today has been blasted as showing Cheltenham's unacceptable' record.
The Gary Moore-owned runner was put down after falling at the final fence in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Chris Luffingham, campaigns director at the League Against Cruel Sports,said: “It is extremely upsetting to learn of the death of Shallwehaveonemore following the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival.
“The death toll at Cheltenham is simply unacceptable with a total of 70 horses having lost their lives at Festival since 2000.
“New tighter safety measures need to be introduced to stop this senseless loss of life in the name of ‘sport’.
We need an independent regulatory body with horse welfare as its only concern and an end to the use of the whip which forces the horse to go beyond what it is comfortably able to do resulting in death, injuries and stress.”
- Ian Tuckey
Diesel fired up for victory
MATT CHAPMAN: In the Cross Country Chase over 3m6f I'm going to risk DIESEL D'ALLIER each way for Richard Bandey and Harry Banister.
He has a mountain to climb on ratings with the likes of Tiger Roll, Delta Work, Brahma Bull and Easysland, but there are reasons why all of those might run below form and my hope will bring something to the table.
A good winner over these fences last time and at a good age to maintain his form.
- Ian Tuckey
Road to glory
MATT CHAPMAN: The Coral Cup is always tough to sort out over 2m5f. I'm having a few quid eachway on GOWEL ROAD for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies.
My selection gave a stone and a beating to Unexpected Party earlier in the season and because that horse has done well since now only have to concede 3lb.
Since that victory Gowel Road has been beaten over 2m at Newbury and Lingfield.
But he's back to his Cheltenham winning distance here and might surprise a few people at decent odds.
- Ian Tuckey
Rave about brave
MATT CHAPMAN: The Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase is over an extended 3m.
Many will point to the fact BRAVEMANSGAME was only third behind Bob Olinger at last year's Festival when disappointing in the Ballymore.
However, he's come into his own over fences and just looks a natural.
Stamina does not seem to me an issue and he's already a Grade 1 winner this term when defeating Ahoy Senor at Kempton.
Sure to be hard to beat for the champion Paul Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden.
- Ian Tuckey
Too Hard to beat
MATT CHAPMAN:: Day 2 gets under way with the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle over 2m5f.
I can't see a shock here.
SIR GERHARD would have had a huge chance in the Supreme for Willie Mullins and this looks easier.
There is a slight doubt about stamina, but the bumper winner from last year has looked a smart prospect this season and there is a good chance his jumping – which has been a little iffy from time to time – will be better at a slightly slower gallop over a longer trip.
Won a point to point over three miles and should be very hard to beat under Paul Townend.
- Ian Tuckey
All bets are Toff!
Georgia Toffolo's 'beginner's luck' won her a stunning £37,500 on a bet at Cheltenham – and then she promised a 'generous donation' to charity.
The Made in Chelsea star, who was cheering on in the stands today, put down £5,000 on the first race of the 2022 Festival.
She split her bet with £2,500 on Constitution Hill to win the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Jonbon to finish second at 14-1 – with returns of the £37,500.
The other £2,500 went on Jonbon to pass the post followed by Constitution Hill at 18-1 – that would have pocketed her £47,500.
Constitution Hill went off for the Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser as the joint 9-4 favourite along with Dysart Dynamo who fell three fences from the finish line.
Jonbon went off at 5-1 and the 2017 Queen of the Jungle was no doubt licking her lips in excitement as the two horses she backed, both trained by Nicky Henderson, raced to the end as the front two.
Constitution Hill and Nico de Boinville ended up easing to a comfortable victory up the famous hill to claim the £76,000 prize.
And Toff took to Twitter to share her betting slip and sheer delight.
The 27-year-old wrote: "OH MY GOD beginners luck," followed by a laughing emoji.
She then added: "Bloody hell can’t believe it. Generous donation incoming to both the @BritishRedCross and @decappeal."
- Ian Tuckey
It's looKin' great!
MATT CHAPMAN: Day 2 of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival features the race of the week for me in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and the chance for Nicky Henderson to etch his way into the history books.
No trainer has ever sent out seven winners of the two-mile showpiece, but if Shishkin sees of his old rival Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi today then the Seven Barrows maestro will take the record.
I have long banked on Shishkin to come out on top from the days he was odds against.
Nothing this season has changed my mind, and a delay to Shishkin’s campaign is probably to his advantage.
The eight-year-old is already a Supreme and Arkle here at Cheltenham and I think he will come up the hill too strongly for the others under Nico de Boinville.
- Ian Tuckey
Bookies battered on day one
Victories for three favourites – Constitution Hill, Edwardstone and Honeysuckle – left bookmakers coounting the cost today.
William Hill spokesperson Tony Kenny said: “There’s no getting away from it, we’re firmly behind after the opening salvo of this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
“Constitution Hill, Edwardstone and Honeysuckle were all bad results individually and of course there were plenty of trebles involving all three which worsened the blow.
“Despite her price of 18/1, Marie’s Rock was one of the best-backed outsiders in an open Mares’ Hurdle, so the subsequent photo finish defeat of Gaelic Warrior in the Boodles was much-needed.”
- Ian Tuckey
'Never-ending fairytale'
Victorious trainer Henry De Bromhead claimed Honeysuckle's triumph is a 'never-ending fairytale'.
The 8/11 favourite repeated her 20201 Champion Hurdle win with her 11th top-level Grade One victory.
And De Bromhead said: "She's incredible – it is the never-ending fairytale.
"I always prepare for myself for it to end but it never does.
"Unreal. It is incredible to get the roar and I just hoped that she would get it."
The Irish rider steered the 8-11 favourite to a 15th successive career victory for trainer Henry de Bromhead.
- Ian Tuckey
Blackmore: Crowd is so inspiring
Rachael Blackmore believes her second successive Champion Hurdle win on Honeysuckle showed how inspiring the huge crowds are.
The history-making jockey said: "Walking out in front of the stands with all the people, it's such a special place.
"I'm so lucky to ride winners here and this mare – she's just incredible."
- Craig Mahood
Early bird
Fancy getting your Cheltenham day two picks in now before the market moves in the morning?
Our man Templegate has delivered his must-read guide ahead of tomorrow's action already.
Make sure to read what he has to say ahead of a hotly-anticipated day.
- Ian Tuckey
Rock and a hard race
Marie's Rock sprung a surprise to forge home in the Mares' Hurdle.
Queen's Brook was beaten into second at 4-1, with Mrs Milner third at 14-1.
Jockey Nico De Boinville told ITV: "She is such a gutsy mare. She came into her own today. That was fantastic."
FULL RESULT
- Marie's Rock 18-1
- Queen's Brook 4-1
- Mrs Milner 14-1
- Stormy Ireland 7-2fav
- Craig Mahood
We go again….
Tomorrow's action is arguably the best of the entire week.
Sir Gerhard, Ahoy Senor vs Bravemansgame, Shishkin vs Energumene & Tiger Roll.
What a line-up.
- Craig Mahood
Day one results
A decent day for punters, that was close to being a sensational day.
Gaelic Warrior and Run Wild Fred would've closed off a top day but both finished in second.
Here's the results from the day:
- 1.30pm Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Constitution Hill 9/4)
- 2.10pm Arkle Novices’ Chase (Edwardstone 5/4)
- 2.50pm Ultima Handicap Chase (Corach Rambler 10-1)
- 3.30pm Champion Hurdle (Honeysuckle 8-11)
- 4.10pm Mares’ Hurdle (Marie's Rock 18-1)
- 4.50pm Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Brazil 10-1)
- 5.30pm National Hunt Novices’ Chase (Stattler 2-1)
5.30 Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Challenge Cup
FULL RESULT
1st – Stattler 2/1
2nd – Run Wild Fred 15/8F
Here's how
Run Wild Fred held the lead for over three miles.
But from the moment this clip starts, you could call the winner well out.
He just had to avoid one of those final fence falls…..
Stattler wins the National Hunt Cup
Welcome to the party, Willie!
It turned into a two-horse race and the Mullins horse stayed on stoutly for a promising win.
A win for Ireland to cap off day one.
Source: Read Full Article
