12 March 2024 , 14:11
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State Man lived up to the billing to win the Champion Hurdle, as Willie Mullins dominated the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.
In the absence of Constitution Hill, State Man - ridden by Paul Townend - went off as the odds-on favourite and held off Irish Point to win by a length and a quarter. That triumph came after Gaelic Warrior cruised to victory in the Arkle in the second race of the day and before Lossiemouth won the Mares' Hurdle.
Mullins said of State Man: “I was amazed with the way Paul rode him, I thought he’d be much more forward, I didn’t dream that he’d only be fifth or sixth jumping the fourth-last. But he just rode him with supreme confidence.”
Rachael Blackmore earned the first winner of the Festival as Slade Steel beat out Mystical Power in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Blackmore – who in 2021 became the first woman to be crowned top rider at the Festival – said: “It’s unbelievable, I obviously love this place and it’s just amazing to be coming here, riding these brilliant horses. Henry trains them every year to come here and the way he does it is incredible.”
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Keep up with all the day's winners below...
13:30 - Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Winner: Slade Steel - 7-2
2nd: Mystical Power - 100-30 FAV
3rd: Firefox - 11-2
“I’m delighted with him, Rachael gave him a super ride and fair play to the Robcour team – they said Ballyburn has beaten us twice and we need to just avoid him, so that’s what we did and it’s worked out really well for us,” said Slade Steel trainer Henry De Bromhead.
“It’s lovely to see young horses like him coming through, we’re very fortunate the support we get from everyone and thankfully we get the odd result. Cheltenham is an amazing, special place. We’ve had a lot of luck here and it’s a cliche, but it’s our Olympics and we’re lucky to be able to take part.
GRachael Blackmore celebrates on Slade Steel after winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival“You definitely breathe a sigh of relief (after having a winner). We’ve never won the Supreme before so I don’t know this feeling, but it’s good. When you’ve had one winner you want two, but we’re delighted to get one. He was one of our big hopes coming here and it’s great for the team.”
14:10 - Arkle Challenge Trophy
Winner: Gaelic Warrior - 2-1 FAV
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2nd: Found a Fifty - 13-2
3rd: Il Etait Temps - 7-2
Willie Mullins said of his winner, who was well-beaten when unseating Townend at the Dublin Racing Festival: “You could see what difference a hood made to him. He wasn’t trying to jump right and Paul could ride a race on him.
“I thought coming down the hill ‘what was I doing running him over three miles last season when he has that speed’. I think he has enough class now to do two miles and he’ll probably stick to that game now, although you could push him out to the Ryanair distance as well. He’s very adaptable.”
14:50 - Handicap Steeple Chase
Winner: Chianti Classico - 6-1
2nd: Twig 28-1
3rd: Meetingofthewaters 6-1
15:30 - Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
Winner: State Man - 2-5 FAV
2nd: Irish Point - 9-2
3rd: Luccia - 33-1
Mullins said: “I was amazed with the way Paul rode him, I thought he’d be much more forward, I didn’t dream that he’d only be fifth or sixth jumping the fourth-last. But he just rode him with supreme confidence.
“I thought he’d make more use of his stamina, but Paul seemed to ride him for speed today and he clearly felt there was enough in the ground to take it out of the horses in front of him.
Paul Townend celebrates after riding State Man to win The Champion Hurdle16:10 - Mares' Hurdle
Winner: Lossiemouth - 8/13 FAV
2nd: Telmesomethinggirl - 22/1
3rd: Hispanic Moon - 40/1
Mullins said: “She was great – she’s a Champion Hurdle mare, we all think. Once again, Paul was very cool on her and she can improve another year on, when she’s a bit older. Running like that, in that ground, she’s got everything.
“We made the right decision (not to go for the Champion Hurdle this year). She didn’t get a grueller like if she’d been in the Champion Hurdle, she’s only five and getting a grueller in the Champion Hurdle is not what you want.”
16:50 - Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Winner: Lark In The Morning - 9/1
2nd: Eagles Reign - 80/1
3rd: Ndaawi - 12/1
4th - Harsh - 40/1
5th - Miss Manzor - 18/1
6th - Milan Tino - 10/3
17:30 - National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
Winner: Corbetts Cross - 15/8
2nd: Embassy Gardens - 7/4 FAV
3rd: Mr Vango - 14/1