Quevega brings joy of six for Ruby Walsh

It’s over 20 years since Francis Fukuyama wrote his book about the end of history and there are times when you feel that maybe, just maybe, Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh have reached that point when it comes to Cheltenham.

Then another festival come around and other worlds are conquered.

The first day of this year’s event dawned yesterday with the trainer and jockey teaming up to bring Vautour home first in the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and they doubled up with an historic win for Quevega in the Mares Hurdle.

“It’s way up there with all of my festival winners,” said Mullins, who has now bagged 31 of them after these latest efforts. “I love Quevega and that was one of our missions coming here. I am happy now for the week.”

Thousands of Irish punters must have nodded in agreement.

The victory marked the sixth success in as many years for the 10-year-old mare in the same race and left her in splendid isolation as the only horse to have breasted the tape first half-a-dozen times at the festival in the Cotswolds. Another line to add to those history books.

Both wins were greeted with the customary roar of approval by the enormous Irish presence circling the winners’ enclosure although there was disappointment for the Mullins-Walsh axis with major hopes Champagne Fever and Hurricane Fly both beaten.

The latter was in the market for what would have been a third Champion Hurdle but the day’s big race was claimed by another Irish raider, the Jessica Harrington-trained and Barry Geraghty-ridden Jezki.