Cheltenham Festival LIVE results: Day 1 races including 16.10 result
Thousands gather for first day at Cheltenham festival
The Cheltenham Festival is back for 2023 with a thrilling week of racing lined up in the Cotswolds for what is known as ‘The Greatest Show on Turf’, as racegoers descend on the iconic course.
The Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup bookend the four-day meeting as perhaps the two highest-profile Grade 1 races, with the Champion Hurdle contested on the opening day on Tuesday and superstar horse Constitution Hill showed his class to win at a canter after starting as the overwhelming, heavily-backed favourite.
Meanwhile, Rachael Blackmore returns to Cheltenham looking to create more history after an astounding win to retain the Gold Cup in 2022 –a victory that helped the Irish trainers triumph handily over their British counterparts to easily land the prestigious Prestbury Cup, with a mighty 18 wins compared to just 10 for the home horses.
The festival provides a massive £274m boost to the local economy, a study from the University of Gloucestershire has found, and while organisers will be hoping the rain holds off, it promises to be an exciting week of racing regardless.
Follow all the Day 1 action from Cheltenham below:
Mares’ Hurdle
Rachael Blackmore rides Honeysuckle for the Mares’ Hurdle. Can she help Honeysuckle sign off her career with a victory?
Everyone at Cheltenham would love it but fairytale endings in sport are very rare and Marie’s Rock is a strong contender to take the win this afternoon.
Michael Jones14 March 2023 16:04
Mares’ Hurdle latest odds
Here are the latest odds for the Mares Hurdle at 4.10pm from OLBG:
Michael Jones14 March 2023 16:00
Mares’ Hurdle
The Mares’ Hurdle is coming up just after 4pm and this year’s field is one of the most competitive in recent times.
Last year’s winner, Marie’s Rock, attempts to follow up against two former winners of the Champion Hurdle itself. Honeysuckle, won this race three years ago before landing the Champion Hurdle in 2021 and 2022 but will be making her final competitive appearance on the racecourse today.
Epatante is the 2020 champion and ran to a high level behind Constitution Hill on her first two starts this season.
There is a case to be made too for several of their rivals, with Brandy Love, Echoes In Rain and Love Envoi all within striking distance of the principals on the book.
Honeysuckle would be the most popular winner but Marie’s Rock may just edge this one.
Michael Jones14 March 2023 15:55
‘It’s an extraordinary horse’
Winning trainer, Nicky Henderson, said: “It’s just an extraordinary horse, you can’t believe he’s doing that at this stage of his life.
“You always worry that something has gone wrong and he hasn’t run since Christmas, there’s pressure on.”
Michael Jones14 March 2023 15:47
Reaction from Nico de Boinville
“What a horse, just absolutely delighted. He had loads left. The governor has done a fantastic job.
“It’s been a dream of mine to get the big three [Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup] and I am delighted to have achieved it.
“He’s just winged every hurdle, it’s just when to push the button.”
Michael Jones14 March 2023 15:45
Constitution Hill wins the Champion Hurdle
The cool-headed combo of Nico de Boinville and Constitution Hill.
(PA)
Michael Jones14 March 2023 15:42
Constitution Hill wins at a canter
This is as close as it gets to a certain winner in horse racing. Constitution Hill storms to victory in the Champion Hurdle.
Michael Jones14 March 2023 15:40
CONSTITUTION HILL WINS THE CHAMPION HURDLE
Constitution Hill pulls further ahead as he flies down the straight to the finish line. He was heavily backed and lived up to his favourite billing.
State Man ran well and finishes second.
Michael Jones14 March 2023 15:36