3 minute read
The Queens of Cheltenham!
Henry de Bromhead's Honeysuckle won her 11th race and together with Racheal Blackmore maintained their unbeaten record in the Champion Hurdle. This was also the first time a woman jockey had won this Gr 1 highlight of the festival. The two were in perfect harmony the whole way round and were in exhibition mode coming down the straight. Sharjah was 6 ½ lengths back in second with Epatante third.
The day started well for Mullins-Townend when Appreciate It won the Supreme Novices by 24 lengths from Ballyadam with For Pleasure 40/1 third.
Shishkin was also relatively untroubled in winning the Arkle by 6 lengths from Eldorado Allen 33/1 and Captain Guiness third.
The Ultima Handicap went to Vintage Clouds 28/1 with favourite Happygolucky second and Aye Right third. Ok Corral was pulled up.
The Mares' Hurdle provided a thrilling finish as Black Tears managed to just get the head bob in with favourite Concertista who had to take second. Roksana ran her usual steady race finishing third. Great White Shark led for quite a way but faded when the pressure came.
The Fred Winter was THE big upset of the day when Jeff Kidder at 80/1, then Saint Sam second and third Eltham Valley 66/1 leading to a trifecta of some !5 thousand pounds!
The Sam Vestey NH Challenge Cup went to Galvin who secured his 5th consecutive win under Jack Kennedy who brought up a double as he had been on Black Tears in the Mares' Hurdle. Next Destination was second.. Remastered led for a while and then ran out of gas.