Cheltenham 2024 Day 1 live - Results, tips, racecards and Champion Hurdle bets

That's all from Cheltenham today

We'll be tomorrow for Day Two where the Champion Chase is the feature race.

Corbetts Cross wins the Maureen Mullins National Hunt Cup - edging out the favourite

5.30 full result

Cheltenham Festival and Grand National drop dress code in huge horse racing move

1 Corbetts Cross (Mr Derek O’Connor) 15-8

2 Embassy Gardens (Mr P W Mullins) 7-4 Fav

3 Mr Vango (Miss Gina Andrews) 14-1

Tips and insight for the 5.30

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 EMBASSY GARDENS, 2 CORBETTS CROSS, 3 SALVADOR ZIGGY

Embassy Gardens has the right profile to give Willie Mullins and son Patrick, successful with Stattler in 2022 and Gaillard Du Mesnil 12 months ago, a hat-trick of wins. Having hit the target once from five attempts over hurdles, the son of Shantou made the perfect start to his career over fences with a 13-length margin from Lets Go Champ at Punchestown 13 days before Christmas.

My selection’s sights were then raised to Grade 3 level for a novice chase at Naas at the end of January and Embassy Gardens duly followed up with a 10-length beating of Sandor Clegane. This afternoon’s three-and-three-quarter-mile distance makes for five furlongs of uncharted territory, but the eight-year-old shapes like a horse who last home over extended trips.

A hood is called upon to conserve every last ounce of energy, and Embassy Gardens is confidently expected to give his trainer-jockey combination a fifth National Hunt Chase overall. Corbetts Cross, accident prone but talented, rates the main danger, while Salvador Ziggy and Henry’s Friend are next in the pecking order.

We've had a 9/1 winner in the 4.50

1 Lark In The Mornin (J J Slevin) 9-1

2 Eagles Reign (T P Harney) 80-1

3 Ndaawi (J W Kennedy) 12-1

4 Harsh (C Stone-Walsh) 40-1

A serious win if you had the forecast!

Willie Mullins give bookmakers a beating on Day One

Willie Mullins is giving the bookmakers a hard time once again at Cheltenham, as a string of favourites get the job done on Day One, according to oddschecker.

Just over 10% of all Cheltenham single bets that have settled to date have been winners, and a total 39% of horses have either won or placed in the opening five races.

The popular double of State Man and Lossiemouth accounted for over 12% of all Day One accumulators. Another popular bet was the State Man, Lossiemouth and Ballyburn treble.

Tips and insight for the 4.50 at Cheltenham

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 NDAAWI, 2 LARK IN THE MORNIN, 3 LATIN VERSE

Ndaawi is progressing with every run over hurdles and should give another good account. A two-time winner on the Flat for Andrew Balding, Cracksman’s son joined Gordon Elliott to pursue a jumping campaign, marking his first start in the sphere with a fifth at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Ndaawi then took a step forward with a third to Miss Manzor at Fairyhouse in mid-January before making it third time lucky over obstacles in a soft-ground maiden hurdle at Naas 15 days later. Never far from the action, my selection travelled with ease under Jack Kennedy before asserting to hold stablemate Barrier by two and a quarter lengths.

A handicap mark of 134 looks within range and Ndaawi can draw on the progress needed to extend his trainer’s record in this race to five. In a contest of myriad possible outcomes, Lark In The Mornin, Milan Tino, Liari and Latin Verse are at the top of a long shortlist.‌

4.10 full result

1 - Lossiemouth 8/13

2 - Telmesomethinggirl 22/1

3 - Hispanic Moon 40/1

Townend reflects on day one hat-trick

Townend said after his third win of the day: "It's a funny place this. It is very easy to ride when you're on a good one and very difficult when you're not going well. I'm privileged to be riding these horses"

Lossiemouth wins the Mares' Hurdle

Lossiemouth, the 8-13 favourite, is another winner on day one for Willie Mullin.

Mullin is closing in on his 100th Cheltenham win after jockey Paul Townend won for the second time in an hour.

Lossiemouth could deal a blow to bookmakers

Lossiemouth is the hot favorite in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, and could deal an early Festival blow to bookmakers. Just under 12% of Day One accumulators were a double of State Man and Lossiemouth.

Lossiemouth featured in 30% of all Day One accumulators. Despite the considerable support in the race, Lossiemouth is actually drifting in the market.

A couple of bookmakers now have Lossiemouth at 4/6. Love Envoi, Gala Marceau and Lantry Lady's odds are all shortening as we get close to the off.

Oddschecker spokesperson, Sam Eaton said: "Punters who are taking on Lossiemouth are opting to do so with Love Envoi. Lossiemouth has accounted for 46% of all singles placed in the Mares' Hurdle, with Love Envoi being the second most popular with 12% of bets."

According to oddschecker, 45% of bets placed in this race have backed Lossiemouth to bring it home as well.

Lossiemouth is currently trading at 8/13 with bet365.

Lossiemouth heavily backed

Former jockey Katie Walsh and trainer Ross O'Sullivan are also backing Lossiemouth to win the Mares Hurdle.

"I’d go as so far as saying that Lossiemouth is a bigger certainty than State Man on day one in the Mares’ Hurdle," Walsh told Betway. "If she ran in the Champion Hurdle, we’d all be saying that she could put it up to State Man, so she should be winning this as she likes. People will expect her to win at the Festival almost as easily as she did on Trials Day back in January."

O'Sullivan added: "Lossiemouth is in a different league to the other mares, and it looks a formality for her to win the Mares’ Hurdle. She would have had a solid chance in the Champion Hurdle, but this game is all about winners and that’s what Rich and Susannah Ricci and Willie Mullins want, so it’s not a surprise she’s running here."

Newsboy's Mares Hurdle Preview & Tips

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 LOSSIEMOUTH, 2 MARIE’S ROCK, 3 ASHROE DIAMOND

‌Lossiemouth is fancied to prove her stamina over two and a half miles for a second Cheltenham Festival victory. Thus far, the Willie Mullins-saddled mare has tackled no further than two miles and a furlong - she raced over that trip when running away with the Triumph Hurdle last March.

Lossiemouth confirmed herself as last season’s top juvenile hurdler with a beating of Closutton stable-companion Zarak The Brave in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown the following month, and was then off the track for 273 days before making her comeback at Cheltenham in January.

The grey went off at 4-7 for the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle on the Trials Day card and spared her backers a single moment of anxiety, cantering to the front approaching the final flight and sluicing home nine and a half lengths to the good of Love Envoi.

Lossiemouth has an additional three furlongs to go this afternoon but Paul Townend’s mount should last home to win again. Marie’s Rock won this race two years ago and is capable of playing a supporting role, along with Ashroe Diamond and Telmesomethinggirl.

Lossiemouth: odds-on for the Mares' Hurdle (Getty Images)

Paul Townend speaks

After winning his second race of the day, Townend told ITV: "He's a very simple horse to ride. He deserves his day in the sun. It was the one I was missing here. Back in my younger days I had an association with Hurricane Fly so it's nice."

Highland Hunter dies

A horse whose most recent act was to lead the procession at the funeral of amateur jockey Keagan Kirkby lost his life at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

Highland Hunter, an 11-year-old grey, delivered an emotional victory when he won at Newbury ten days earlier under jockey Paddy Brennan. He was the favourite horse of Kirkby, who died after suffering multiple injuries when his horse stopped at a fence, bolted into the side of a jump, throwing him off and then landed on top of him, in a point-to-point at Charing in February.

(PA)

State Man wins

State Man has won the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy!

Irish Point has finished second, followed by Luccia and Zarak The Brave.

Chianti Classico wins

David Bass and Chianti Classico have won the Handicap Steeple Chase!

Twig finishes second followed by Meetingofthewaters, Famous Bridge and The Goffer.

Handicap Steeple Chase begins

And the Handicap Steeple Chase is now underway...

More Handicap Steeple Chase tips

Commentators Richard Hoiles and Gary O'Brien have backed The Goffer and Chianti Classico respectively for the Handicap Steeple Chase.

"An event that often goes to a horse that has run in the race in the past," Hoiles told Betway. Top of the list is The Goffer, who was fourth in what turned out to be a strong renewal 12 months ago when Corach Rambler beat Fastorslow.

"The Irish have a poor record in the race but their representation is notably stronger this year so that stat may have had its time. The Goffer also made his ground a little swiftly last year and, if ridden more patiently and off a 2lb lower mark, makes plenty of appeal and rates as one of the best bets on day one."

O'Brien, meanwhile, said: "Plenty of Irish interest here but none of them are especially compelling. My vote would therefore go to Chianti Classico, who is a sound jumper and has already enjoyed a good season."

Newsboy's Handicap Steeple Chase preview & tips

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 CHIANTI CLASSICO, 2 THE GOFFER, 3 TWIG

Chianti Classico looks a solid contender for the home team. The three-time hurdles victor made his debut over fences at Chepstow in October, having had wind surgery during his 210 days off games.

Fitted with a tongue strap that has been worn ever since, Chianti Classico and David Bass came out on top with a four-and-a-quarter-length supremacy from Pull Again Green. And my selection doubled in the sphere with a three-quarter-length call from Scrum Diddly in a novices’ handicap chase at Ascot in November.

Chianti Classico lost his unbeaten record over the larger obstacles when pitched into open company in January, finishing a two-length second to Flegmatik over Kempton Park’s King George VI Chase course and distance. But that defeat told us much about the seven-year-old son of Shantou’s chances today - he can mix it with more experienced chasers and his finishing effort in Sunbury makes this stiff three miles and a furlong ideal.

Going change

After Race 2 the going was changed to Heavy, Soft in places (from Soft, Heavy in places).

(PA)

Paul Townend speaks

Winning jockey Paul Townend told ITV: "He was keen but better, it's as good a ride as I have got off him. Stamina came into play and we know he stays. Just point him the right way. It's a pressure week, the monkey's off the back."

Paul Townend celebrates winning the Arkle Challenge Trophy on Gaelic Warrior (David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Gaelic Warrior wins

Gaelic Warrior has won the Arkle Challenge Trophy!

Found A Fifty comes in second, followed by Il Etait Temps and Matata.

Arkle Challenge Trophy begins

And the Arkle Challenge Trophy is now underway...

Arkle Challenge Trophy odds

Authorised Speed - 125/1

Found A Fifty - 8/1

Gaelic Warrior - 5/2

Hunters Yarn - 6/1

Il Etait Temps - 10/3

JPR One - 14/1

Master Chewy - 22/1

Matata - 25/1

My Mate Mozzie - 22/1

Quilixios - 11/2

You can bet here with bet365.

Newsboy's Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase preview & tips

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 QUILIXIOS, 2 FOUND A FIFTY, 3 JPR ONE

Quilixios, representing the team successful in the Cheltenham Gold Cup two years ago with A Plus Tard, gets the vote.

After registering a Cheltenham Festival success in the 2021 Triumph Hurdle, my selection saw his fortunes take a downturn - he was beaten in his next four starts over hurdles and sat on the sidelines for 610 days after a third to Teahupoo in Gowran Park’s Red Mills Trial Hurdle in November 2022.

But Henry de Bromhead brought the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding back for a campaign in novice chases this winter, and Quilixios began with a neck margin over Cool Survivor in a beginners’ chase at Limerick in October. The wheels came off in a Grade 2 event over three miles at Punchestown the following month when Rachael Blackmore’s partner came home last of six finishers behind Favori De Champdou.

But they were clearly back in place back over the minimum distance at Naas in January, when Quilixios gave a textbook display of jumping en route to a two-and-a-quarter-length cushion from Sa Fureur. Another step forward and Quilixios is a major player in what doesn’t look a vintage Arkle, with Found A Fifty and JPR One feared most.

Blackmore speaks

"I didn’t want to be in front jumping the last but he took me there and battled hard," winning jockey Rachael Blackmore said. "I love this place, it’s amazing to be coming here and riding these kinds of horses."

Rachael Blackmore and Slade Steel (Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Slade Steel wins

Slade Steel and Rachael Blackmore have won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle!

Mystical Power finishes second, followed by Firefox, Asian Master and Mistergif.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle begins

And this year's festival has now officialy begun with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle getting us underway, with Tullyhill the favourite with bet365

Hatton serenaded by fans

The Cheltenham Festival had a soggy start today but it did not put off the punters who braved the rain for day one .

It certainly did not put off former boxing champion Ricky Hatton who was filmed being serenaded by fans in a nearby bar the night before.

Hatton got in the mood for the Cheltenham Festival by partying with racegoers on the eve of the event.

The former professional boxer, 45, was spotted in Cheltenham bar Tailors on Monday night, where revellers serenaded him with several renditions of: “There’s only one Ricky Hatton.”

Racegoer Tony Hodson, 48, from London, had only just arrived in Cheltenham and popped to Tailors for his first pint of the week.

He said: “From the moment I walked in was a great atmosphere in there and I soon realised Ricky was in with some mates.

“Everyone wanted a selfie and a chat with him and there was soon a couple of choruses of ‘There’s only one Ricky Hatton’. He took it all in good spirits and had a big smile on his face.”

Ricky recently took part in ITV1 ice-skating reality show Dancing on Ice, but he was the first celebrity knocked out of the contest.

Newsboy's Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Preview & Tips

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3: 1 TULLYHILL, 2 JERIKO DU REPONET, 3 MYSTICAL POWER

Tullyhill is the selection to get what promises to be a record-breaking Cheltenham Festival for Willie Mullins off to the perfect start. With seven triumphs, Mullins is already the winningmost trainer in the history of the meeting’s curtain-raiser and, with half of the dozen runners hailing from Closutton, a record eighth success is very much on the cards.

Of the sextet, it’s Tullyhill that appeals most. Second to A Dream To Share in a Grade 1 Punchestown bumper last April, the grey was floored at odds of 1-8 in a maiden hurdle over two and three-quarter miles back at the Co Kildare venue last November.

But, back at two miles, Tullyhill moved on from that obstacles debut defeat with a seven-length call at Naas in mid-January. And he took another step forward - booking his place at Cheltenham in the process - with a nine-length humbling of No Flies On Him in a Listed novice event at Punchestown last time out.

There is plenty more to come from Paul Townend’s mount and, if sent to the front from the outset - as for his two hurdles wins - Tullyhill is likely to take some catching. Jeriko Du Reponet, Mystical Power and Tellherthename are the most convincing candidates for the minor medals.

(PA)