Cheltenham Festival RECAP day 1 results, tips and Champion Hurdle betting

Tragedy strikes Cheltenham as Malinello dies

A tragic update to bring you this evening as the Cheltenham Festival has confirmed the death of Malinello who suffered an injury in the Wellchild National Hunt Challenge Cup.

The Ben Pauling-trained eight-year-old, who was a 125-1 chance ridden by Gina Andrews, took a heavy fall at the 16th fence of the 3m5f race.

Following the conclusion of the final contest it was sadly confirmed that Malinello passed away, despite the best efforts of Cheltenham’s veterinary team.

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Malinello tragically died following an injury at the Cheltenham Festival (Mike Egerton - Pool/Getty Images)

Thank you for reading

...........goodbye, and thankyou.

Fairytale farewell: Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle pose for the cameras (Getty Images)

And that's a wrap for day one

Well, what a day. What an unbeliavable opening day. And you can re-cap it all on our website.

What's your highlight? Constitution Hill, Honeysuckle, even that storming finale from Gaillard du Mesnil. The day belongs to so many.

And that's before I mention Marine Nationale, Jazzy Matty, El Fabiolo, and new Grand National favourite Corach Rambler.

Cheltenham Festival and Grand National drop dress code in huge horse racing move

The action gets underway tomorrow at 1.30pm with the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle. But the main event will see reigning champion Energueme try and defend the Queen Mother Champion Chase..

Once again we'll have live updates here from start to finish. But for now, to all our followers today................

Fans depart

It's that time of day now. The stragglers remain, spending whatever winnings they've made and drinking whatever is left in the pumps. They reckon 220,000 pints of Guinness will be sank this week - just the 55,000 per day then.

Another winner for Willie Mullins

Music star having a blast

Following up that last post, Gareth Gates has spoken of his love of the sport: “I'm thrilled to be here today. This is my fifth or sixth time here. It's always a great day out. I've owned three horses myself, so I know a lot of the owners and trainers. I just enjoy the sport.

"The last horse I owned was just before lockdown and my three horses have always been trained by Richard Hughes. He's a good friend of mine now.

"I spoke to him last week about maybe buying another horse. With lockdown happening that took a back seat for a little while, but I love the sport. I want to get back into it, yes.

"I've always bought a horse with my friend. They saw a horse the other day which looked great. I had a call from Richard and I'm open to looking at it.

"I've met a lot of owners and trainers, I've done a lot of the car park parties and all that, where you meet big names in the game.

"I know AP McCoy and his wife well and that's from being in the right circles."

Asked if his dream is to have a winner at Cheltenham, he said: "Absolutely. I love The Festival and I try to come every year. It's great."

Celebs out at Cheltenham

Carol Vorderman enjoying the racing action with Gareth Gates.

File that under 'sentences I never thought I'd type'.

(James Whatling)

Ireland take charge of the Prestbury Cup

Remember there is a side competition here. Ireland and Britain compete for The Prestbury Cup, based on where the winning trainers of each race come from.

I'll break it down in simple terms. At the end of the four days, Ireland wins.

Sure enough, it's a 5-2 lead for them after today.

So if you're Irish, have another five pints of Guinness tonight to celebrate.

A day for the ages at Cheltenham

From Constitution Hill to Honeysuckle, that is a day that will linger long in the memory for racing fans.

Remember, you can see a breakdown of ALL race results here.

National Hunt Chase result

Official confirmation of how that finished.

1. Gaillard du Mesnil (FR) 10-11, Patrick Mullins

2. Chemical Energy (IRE) 8-1, Jamie Codd

3. Mister Coffey (FR 11-1), Derek O'Connor

Nicky Henderson hails a dramatic day

I need a lie down after that. And there's still three more days of this!

Nicky Henderson has just summed up the day to Racing TV: "Probably as good as you're going to see for a long while."

Gaillard Du Mesnil comes from three lengths back

That really was an amazing finish. Chemical Energy led by three lengths after clearing the final hurdle, and Gaillard Du Mesnil, ridden by Patrick Mullins, stormed back.

Only four finishers overall by the way.

Two horses fall

Incidentally, Malinello also fell - at the 16th fence shortly before Mahler Mission went too.

Mercifully, both horses appear ok.

Gaillard Du Mesnil wins!

Wow!

A fitting end to a memorable day.

Pre-race favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil, who hovered at the back of the pack for the first half of the race, comes through to overtake Chemical Energy in a thrilling sprint to the line.

Mahler Mission down!

In for some finish here, Mahler Mission has fallen, Chemical energy trying to hold off Gaillard Du Mesnil!

Bellatrixsa into the mix

Bellatrixsa and Fakiera now the front runners.

Minella Crooner well poised in third.

Longest race of day one

It's over three miles and five furlongs this, so the order means little at this stage.

But for the record, Fakiera now leads from Mister Coffey and Mahler Mission.

And we're off!

Away we go, and Tenzing has the slender lead early on.

Horses make their way

Right, the final race of what has already been a memorable opening day.

Where's your money? Chemical Energy for me.

A recap of a storybook ending

More on the fairytale of the day, as Honeysuckle enjoyed the perfect finish to a superb racing career.

Whitehall jokes around

Comedian Jack Whitehall is also here today, and still in work mode it seems.

"I love coming to the races and Cheltenham is the highlight of the year for me. I've come for the last couple of years, excluding the pandemic, so it's always something I really look forward to.

"I haven't had any winners yet, but I learnt very early on with my visits to the racing that you shouldn't let your day be defined by whether you're getting winners or losers. It's all about coming down here and the atmosphere and the people and the vibe of The Festival I just love.

"I actually do own a horse, which is trained by George Scott. It hasn't raced yet, but it's making some promising development. I don't even know if it's making steps yet, it might still be lying down. But eventually it's going to be trotting and cantering and racing.

"At the moment it's neither a Flat or a Jumps horse, it's an idle horse. The name is also pending. All the names I've suggested have been shot down by the powers that be. A load of really inappropriate names.”

Asked what his racing dreams are, he said: "It's certainly something that in the future I'd like to get into a little more seriously. But this is very much a baby step and testing the water. But I love racing. I feel like in my future, maybe when I've got a bit more time and attention and want to have something that will consume my life it might be something like horse ownership. That would be amazing to have a winner at Cheltenham.

And Whitehall will be back again this week: "I'm here on Friday as well. I'm bringing my girlfriend (Roxy Horner) back, so I'm going to have a lovely, romantic day at the races with her. And then, I'm back at The Centaur on the last weekend of the month to do stand-up here. I'm touring here and I'm playing Cheltenham. Hopefully my performance will be better than my horse's."

Nick de Bonville celebrates Unibet Champion Hurdle win

Nico de Boinville celebrates winning The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on Constitution Hill (David Davies/PA Wire for the Jockey Club)

5:30pm National Hunt Chase

And then there was one. And plenty of punters remain inside the gates.

Here's the line-up:

Chemical Energy (IRE), J. J. Codd

Coolvalla (IRE), Joshua Newman

Fakiera (FR), D. G. Lavery

Gaillard du Mesnil (FR), P. W. Mullins

Mahler Mission (IRE), J. C. Barry

Malinello, Gina Andrews

Minella Crooner (IRE), Barry O'Neill

Mister Coffey (FR), Derek O'Connor

Goodbye, and thankyou

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore. No more words needed.

Rachael Blackmore is lost in her thoughts after winning on Honeysuckle (PA)

O'Sullivan's dad celebrates

Willie O'Sullivan, father of Michael and a former Cheltenham winner himself, is delighted.

"Unreal. I couldn't be prouder. He's worked very hard at his riding all his life and he really deserves it.

"he was always very level headed and committed about what he was doing."

Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle result

1. Jazzy Matty 18-1, Michael O'Sullivan

2. Byker 6-1, Philip Byrnes

3. Risk Belle 10-1, Luke Dempsey

Against the odds

That was not expected. Jazzy Matty was as high as 20-1 with some of the bookies. Byker took second.

Jazzy Matty wins!

Wow, what a finish from Jazzy Matty, ridden by Michael O'Sullivan. Wins it by a nose from the two horses behind him.

What a finish!

The front three have dropped off the pace and new four are going for the line.

Tekao, Jazzy Matty, Byker, and Risk Belle on the final straight!

Three horse race?

Sir Allen has advanced on the outside but it is still Samuel Spade from Bad.