Irish 'rein' supreme after day one of Cheltenham Festival

Racegoers during day one of the Cheltenham Racing Festival were treated to an exciting day of sport. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Perhaps the safest bet of the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival was that Ireland would win every race bar the opening handicap of the meeting, a contest that has eluded us since 2006.

It eluded us again this year but it was the only race to do so. The tone was set early as the well-backed Henry de Bromhead-trained Slade Steel landed the Festival opener, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle — a race dominated by Irish-trained horses — in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.

“It's unbelievable, I obviously love this place and it's just amazing to be coming here, riding these brilliant horses,” Tipperary native Blackmore said.

Waterford trainer De Bromhead added: “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.” 

Trainer Willie Mullins came into the meeting six wins short of a century and moved within three of that unprecedented landmark with a day one treble that delighted the majority of the 60,181 attendance.

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Gaelic Warrior got the ball rolling when justifying 2-1 favourtism in the Arkle before hot favourite State Man landed the day one feature, the Champion Hurdle. Lossiemouth completed the hat-trick when winning the Mares’ Hurdle.

“It's very, very nice to have a treble on the first day,” Mullins said. “Of course we're in a position where we are bringing a big team across, but they have to win and after the Supreme I was worried that it was going to be a day like it was on the first day a few years ago when we had no winners. I can enjoy the rest of the week now.” 

Racegoer Jack Gundry, 11, before racing on day one of the Cheltenham Racing Festival at Prestbury Park. England. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

All three horses were ridden to victory by Midleton jockey Paul Townend who was especially happy to add his name to the Champion Hurdle roll of honour.

“It was the one that was kind of missing here. I grew up watching the likes of Istabraq so to put my name on that list is special.

“Any day you come here with a winner is huge and I wouldn't be here without Willie. From the first day I had a ride here he's brought me through nicely and I'm the fortunate one.” 

The National Hunt Chase that rounded off proceedings was run in memory of Willie Mullins’ mother Maureen but it was her grandson Emmet who took the spoils courtesy of the JP McManus-owned Corbetts Cross.

“It was a great honour from the Jockey Club to name the race after granny and it's extra special that we were able to win it,” Emmet Mullins said.

In keeping with the rest of the day, the first five horses home in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle were Irish-trained, victory going to Lark in the Mornin who was saddled to victory by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Wexford jockey JJ Slevin.

Further Irish dominance seems inevitable on day two where Ballyburn, Fact To File, and El Fabiolo are guaranteed to be popular with punters.

All three are trained by Willie Mullins and if he gets the three wins he needs to get to 100, the roof will surely come off the stands.

Cheltenham 2024 is up and running. Roll on day two.