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And a big salute to Princess Rachael

The highlight of day 1 at Cheltenham may turn out to the highlight of the week as this wonderful pair put in a performance for the ages in winning the Champion Hurdle.  Rachael Blackmore gave Honeysuckle, whom she knows very well, a ride that has been praised by Ruby Walsh as not the easiest route but the best.

Honeysuckle won by 3 ½ lengths from Epatante with one of our roughies Zanahiyr running third.

The day started off with a scintillating run from Constitution Hill to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in record time and scoring a 22 lengths win over our roughies Jonbon and Kilcruit.

Unfortuantely Shallwehaveonemore fell and suffered a fatal injury.  Condolences to the connections.

The Arkle was quite straightforward for the winner Edwardstone who started favourite and got home in front of Gabynako 25/1 and Blue Lord.

Corach Rambler took out the Ultimo and the Mare's Hurdle went to Marie's Rock 18/1

Wednesday's feature is the Queen Mother Champion Chase where there will be a re-run of the Clarence House with Shishkin and Energumene scheduled to fight out the finish again.  However there is another Irish challenger here in the shape of Chacun Pour Soi who we think could upset the apple cart and is value on 11/2.

The weather is set to continue fair and they will be watering the course and the man upstair doesn't seem to be going to do it for them.  Racing will start with the Novices' Hurdle Gr 1 registered as the Baring Bingham with 9 runners.  The Mullins-Townend runner here is Sir Gerhard on 8/11.  Journey With Me (de Bromhead-Blackmore) is on 11/2 and Stage Star 6/1.

The Novices' Chase Gr 1 (Broadway NC) has 11 runners with Bravemansgame 2/1 going for a 5th consecutive win for Nicholls-Cobden.  L'homme Presse is on 7/2, Ahoy Senor 11/2 and Capadonna could be value on 8/1 for Mullins-Mark Walsh due to losing the rider on the last outing and could be looking for redemption.

The Coral Cup has 24 runners and it is another sharp pin job.  So far it has landed on Saint Felicien 7/1, Unexpected Party at 8/1 and Indigo Breeze 12/1.

The Glenfarclas Chase is a cross country and notable for the fact that 4 of the runners are 12yos (and another 11).  The 12yos are Tiger Roll, Alpha des Obeaux, Potters Corner and Stop Back,