Cheltenham Festival recap: Rachael Blackmore makes Champion Hurdle history; Denise Foster gets first win

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Rachel Blackmore celebrates winning with Honeysuckle. Picture: INPHO/Dan Abraham

• 1.20: Appreciate It (P Townend) 8-11 Fav 
• 1.55: Shishkin (Nico de Boinville) 4-9 Fav 
• 2.30: Vintage Clouds (Ryan Mania) 28-1 
• 3.05: Honeysuckle (Rachael Blackmore) 11-10 Fav 
• 3.40: Black Tears (J W Kennedy) 11-1 
• 4.15: Jeff Kidder (S W Flanagan) 80-1
• 4.50: Galvin (J W Kennedy) 7-2
• Irish winners: 5; British winners: 2

4.50: National Hunt Chase (Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase) (Grade 2)

1 Galvin (J W Kennedy) 7-2 

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2 Next Destination (H Cobden) 3-1 

3 Escaria Ten (Adrian Heskin) 11-4 Fav 

12 ran

Galvin, formerly with Elliott before being transferred last week to Ian Ferguson’s yard in Ballymena, was a gritty but decisive winner of the closing Sam Vestey National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase.

In a race usually confined to amateur riders but this year exclusively for professionals – while their counterparts remain subject to suspension under coronavirus restrictions – Kennedy doubled his tally for the meeting.

He had 7-2 shot Galvin in contention throughout, but behind the leaders in this marathon contest, until taking closer order into the straight and jumping to the front at the last to beat Next Destination by a length and a half.

Foster’s Escaria Ten was the same distance back in third.

4.15: Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle (Handicap Hurdle) 

Sean Flanagan onboard Jeff Kidder (orange and blue cap) comes home to win. Picture: INPHO/Mark Cranham

1 Jeff Kidder (S W Flanagan) 80-1 

2 Saint Sam (P Townend) 9-2 Fav 

3 Elham Valley (P J Brennan) 66-1 

4 Houx Gris (H Cobden) 11-2 

22 ran

Jeff Kidder delivered a huge shock, and a fourth victory on Tuesday’s card for Ireland, with an 80-1 success in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

Sean Flanagan came through a packing field to lead at the last on Noel Meade’s outsider and hold on by two lengths from Mullins’ 9-2 favourite Saint Sam.

Flanagan was riding just his third British winner, and said: “I can’t believe it.

“Coming here, we knew he was in great form – and Noel was very adamant he had a very, very big chance.

“I was just worried he didn’t have enough experience … but he’s won quite well.” Another big outsider Elham Valley was third, at 66-1.

3.40: Close Brothers David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Concertista, with Paul Townend up, leads the eventual winner Black Tears, left, with Jack Kennedy up, and Roksana, with Harry Skelton up, who finished third, over the last during The Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle Race. Photo by Hugh Routledge/Sportsfile

1 Black Tears (J W Kennedy) 11-1 

2 Concertista (P Townend) 10-11 Fav 

3 Roksana (Harry Skelton) 3-1 

10 ran

Black Tears got up in the final strides to give trainer Denise Foster a first Cheltenham Festival winner in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.

Foster is currently in charge of Gordon Elliott’s string at Cullentra House Stables in County Meath while he is serving a suspension.

Jack Kennedy produced Black Tears (11-1) with a perfectly-timed challenge to deny the Willie Mullins-trained 10-11 favourite Concertista in a thrilling finish to the two-and-a-half-mile contest.

Great White Shark and Floressa made the early running, with Roksana and Indefatigable tracking them and Concertista held up at the rear.

The complexion of the race changed coming down the hill when Roksana made her bid – but Concertista was hot on her heels.

The latter looked the likely winner when she jumped the last in front, but she had no answer to Black Tears, who got up to win by a head with Roksana two and three-quarter lengths away in third and Indefatigable fourth.

Elliott was banned for 12 months, with the last six months suspended, after an image of him sitting on a dead horse appeared on social media. Foster took over the licence at the yard last week.

Black Tears’ Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle victory was a first of the Festival for Denise Foster – who took over Gordon Elliott’s yard just last week.

Kennedy said: “It’s unbelievable – I’m absolutely delighted for the owners.

“It’s great for ‘Sneezy’ Foster as well – a massive team effort goes into getting the horses here every year, so it’s brilliant for the team.

“She jumped and travelled unbelievably well.

“She came out of my hands at the last – but luckily she was more tuned in than I was, and that was probably the difference between winning and losing.”

3.05: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Rachael Blackmore onboard Honeysuckle celebrates after victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) during day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture: Michael Steele/PA

1 Honeysuckle (Rachael Blackmore) 11-10 Fav 

2 Sharjah (P Townend) 11-1 

3 Epatante (Aidan Coleman) 4-1 

10 ran

Rachael Blackmore has become the first female jockey to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle as she guided Honeysuckle to a brilliant victory at Cheltenham.

The Tipperary native produced the heavily-backed 11-10 favourite to lead between the final two flights and she bounded up the hill to go on and win in impressive fashion.

Silver Streak, Not So Sleepy and Goshen were the expected pacesetters early on, with Abacadabras falling at the third flight.

As the field went out into the country, it soon became apparent Jamie Moore was having steering problems on Goshen, whose chance soon went as a result.

Honeysuckle moved forward with ease, leaving the opposition in her wake as the Henry de Bromhead-trained mare powered away to take her 100 per cent record over hurdles to 11.

The pair crossed the line six and a half lengths clear of 2020 runner-up Sharjah, with last year’s winner Epatante another three lengths away in third place.

The first female jockey to ever win the Champion Hurdle! 🏆

Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle.

What a performance!
What a duo!#CheltenhamFestival #VMTVRacing pic.twitter.com/7c4c3KuPCm

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 16, 2021

Blackmore was full of praise for Honeysuckle and her connections, as she struggled to come to terms with her own achievement.

“I’m speechless, to be honest – she’s just so incredible,” she said.

“I can’t believe we’ve won a Champion Hurdle. Kenny Alexander (owner) and Peter Molony (racing manager) are both at home with their families. It’s a pity they can’t be here today.

“When Goshen headed off and then came back in I was just slightly worried, but she did everything I wanted her to do throughout the race and it’s just unbelievable.

“Henry produces her every day in that kind of form for me to just steer round. I’m so thankful to be a part of her (Honeysuckle) – it’s all about her.

“She’s getting better and improving. Her run the last day was a career-best and again today.

“It’s phenomenal.” 

"I'm speechless to be honest, I really am. I can't believe we just won a Champion Hurdle!"

A brilliant interview by @rachaelblackmor after making history at Cheltenham!

What a star! 🌟#CheltenhamFestival #VMTVRacing pic.twitter.com/GcBZWjuk1t

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 16, 2021

Top Waterford trainer De Bromhead was also winning the race for the first time.

De Bromhead said: “It was unbelievable. She’s a very laid-back, chilled out mare – she’s amazing.

“I’m so used to mine being ridden handy away and after two or three hurdle Rachael looked really happy.

“After jumping the second-last she had to get after her and Goshen going to the right for a while was a bit worrying as well, but all in all it was probably one of the more relaxed races I’ve watched here.

“Coming down to the last you just wanted her to get over it, obviously.

“Rachael is a brilliant rider on any horse and Honeysuckle is just a brilliant horse. The combination is deadly – it’s the perfect storm.

“I’ll discuss it with Kenny and see what everyone would like to do, but I’d say there’s every chance she’ll head to Punchestown.”

2.30: Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Vintage Clouds ridden by Ryan Mania on their way to winning the Ultima Handicap Chase during day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture: Tim Goode/PA

1 Vintage Clouds (Ryan Mania) 28-1 

2 Happygolucky (David Bass) 10-3 Fav 

3 Aye Right (R Johnson) 11-2 

4 Cepage (Charlie Deutsch) 14-1 

16 ran

Vintage Clouds provided the first shock of the Festival, with a 28-1 victory in the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Sue Smith’s grey, ridden by the Yorkshire yard’s Grand National-winning jockey Ryan Mania, was running in the opening handicap of the meeting for the fifth year in succession.

The 11-year-old’s best previous effort was second in 2019 – but this time, he took over on the final circuit and was never headed again.

Runner-up Happygolucky, the 100-30 favourite, and third-placed Aye Right both ran with great credit but never looked like pegging back the winner, beaten five and a half and a further two and a quarter lengths respectively.

After being told he is a ‘Cheltenham Festival winner’, Mania said: “I’ll be honest, I never ever thought I’d hear those words mentioned.

“It’s been a long road back. Everyone knows I took nearly five years out of the game – and to come back to Cheltenham, I was lucky to get rides, let alone winners.

“This horse has been a real stalwart on the yard. He needed a wind op, and the cheekpieces have helped. It’s unreal.

“He was loving it the whole way round. We missed at the last down the back, and I just gave him a squeeze and he came back underneath me. I knew then that I’d be on the bridle at the end – but never did I think he’d storm up the hill like he did.” “About 18 months after the Grand National I was in a dark space and I saw no way out other than to walk away from the sport I love. I was enticed back with unfinished business being the main reason. Luckily it’s all gone really well.”

1.55: Sporting Life Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 

Shishkin ridden by Nico de Boinville winning the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase during day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture: Tim Goode/PA

1 Shishkin (Nico de Boinville) 4-9 Fav 

2 Eldorado Allen (H Cobden) 33-1 

3 Captain Guinness (Rachael Blackmore) 10-1 

5 ran

Shishkin justified his prohibitive odds when taking his winning streak to seven with an easy victory in the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.

Winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on this card 12 months ago, Shishkin is now unbeaten in four races over fences as he gave trainer Nicky Henderson a seventh Arkle – a race the Seven Barrows trainer has taken with stars such as Sprinter Sacre and Altior.

The 4-9 favourite was always travelling well in the hands of Nico de Boinville, as Allmankind and Captain Guinness made it a true-run race over the two miles.

Shishkin joined the two leaders at the third-last fence, setting sail for home and going on to score by 12 lengths.

Eldorado Allen picked up the pieces for second place close home, just ahead of Captain Guinness and Allmankind.

Shishkin was given a quote of 5-2 for next year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase with Coral and William Hill, while Paddy Power went 6-4.

The winning jockey said: “I’m absolutely over the moon – I’m just delighted to be on a horse such as Shishkin.

“His profile is just amazing, and he’s a fantastic horse.

“After that performance you’d have to say that he can be anything. It’s a massive shame that Energumene didn’t come over, and hopefully he’ll be allright for the season to come.

“It would have been some match-up – who knows what would have happened? He (Shishkin) would have taken a lot of beating. That was a very hard, fast-run race – no prisoners were taken.” 

Shishkin is the latest in a line of brilliant two-milers for Henderson, who has trained both Altior and Sprinter Sacre to be dual Champion Chase winners at the Festival.

He said: “We’ve been very lucky with these two-mile chasers, especially recently.

“Altior followed Sprinter, and now here seems to be another one.

“I can’t really believe it. It’s extraordinary.

“It’s not the same – it’s never going to be the same without the people here, but it still does the same to you. When you’ve a short-priced favourite like he is, it’s still scary.”

1.20: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Appreciate It ridden by Paul Townend celebrate winning the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle during day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture: Tim Goode/PA

1 Appreciate It (P Townend) 8-11 Fav 

2 Ballyadam (J W Kennedy) 6-1 

3 For Pleasure (Harry Bannister) 40-1 

8 ran

Appreciate It lived up to his pre-race billing as he powered to victory in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The 8-11 favourite, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, outclassed his seven rivals with a dominant display in the Festival curtain-raiser.

It was the start the Irish hoped for with Appreciate It coming home 24 lengths clear of the opposition to give Mullins a seventh success in the race.

As expected, For Pleasure set the pace, but Appreciate It was always nicely in his slipstream. Townend made his move at the third-last, with the seven-year-old taking over from the penultimate obstacle.

From then on, Appreciate It pulled easily clear. His stablemate Blue Lord was his nearest pursuer when he came down at the last. That left Henry de Bromhead’s Ballyadam to claim second place, having made a mistake when hitting the second-last flight.

For Pleasure stuck to his task admirably to claim third place, two and a quarter lengths further away.

Mullins told ITV Racing: “He is quite big, he looks like a three mile chaser – so the fact that he’s here winning championship races over two miles astounds me.

“It was unfortunate to have a faller at the last, but Appreciate It was awesome. Paul was exuding confidence all the way down the hill – it was just text-book stuff from Paul and the horse.” 

Appreciate It did not please everyone when remaining unbeaten over hurdles by beating Ballyadam at the Dublin Racing Festival last month.

But no one could quibble with the manner of this victory, and Townend said: “That was more like it from this lad. A cracking performance, wasn’t it?

“After a performance like that, it probably opens that door (to next year’s Champion Hurdle) – but he’s bred like a chaser, and when we started jumping hurdles he jumped like a chaser.” 

As for the absence of crowds this year, the winning jockey added: “It was different, very different, but we’re so lucky to be here and to be able to take part in the sport that we love.

“It was very different – but I could hear the Irish boys in the corner.”