CHELTENHAM BREAKFAST: Punter wins £50,000 on Day One

Day two of the Cheltenham Festival options the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The Grade One race had surprisingly eluded coach Willie Mullins till two years in the past, when Energumene loved the primary of his two victories. 

Energumene has been sidelined by harm however his stable-mate El Fabiolo is way more than an ready tremendous sub.

Another spotlight ought to be stylish Ballyburn dealing with a tasty take a look at within the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle on Wednesday. 

Every morning Mail Sport will dish up a serving of Cheltenham Breakfast, having a look at all the things taking place on and off the long-lasting racecourse in what is ready to be one other memorable week. 

Ricci ponders Gaelic choices 

Rich Ricci is a person who will at all times stand out in a crowd, such is his fondness for carrying outstanding tweed fits. 

The one-time boss of Barclays Investments will also be relied upon for just a few vibrant phrases however a dialog with Cheltenham Breakfast was revealing.

We had simply walked again into the parade ring after Gaelic Warrior had turned the Arkle right into a procession. To be by the ultimate fence because the six-year-old began to speed up was to see an equine athlete exhibiting the world simply how a lot expertise he possesses.

It was a genuinely breathtaking sight and Ricci was surprised by it. We mentioned whether or not this gelding might have probably the most pure expertise of any horse he has owned and Ricci stored pointing to Gaelic Warrior, who was bucking and kicking, to indicate how stuffed with beans he was after operating two miles.

Ricci had puzzled whether or not Gaelic Warrior was a Gold Cup horse; he might even run in subsequent yr’s Champion Chase. But what about this for a thought: how a few showdown with Il Est Francais at Kempton on Boxing Day within the King George? 

What a race that might be.

Doddie’s value trigger

Spare a thought for Nicky Henderson. The grasp coach regarded ashen-faced as he marched throughout the paddock garden after the Champion Hurdle and with good motive.

His horses are operating deplorably and there’s clearly a bug circulating round his Seven Barrows yard. Four effectively regarded horses, included the JP McManus pair Jeriko Du Reponet and Iberico Lord, have been pulled up.

We ought to be rooting for him immediately, although. He saddles Doddiethegreat within the Coral Cup. Owned by Kenny Alexander, whose colors adorned Honeysuckle, the gelding is known as in reminiscence of the Scotland rugby big Doddie Weir. Every little bit of prize cash he earns is being raised to assist struggle Motor Neurone’s Disease. The Coral Cup is value greater than £50,000 to the winner. We shall roar him on.

Punter wins £50,000 – however bookies received off calmly!

A convincing victory for punters on day one at Cheltenham featured an enormous winner from Essex – nevertheless it might have been even worse for the bookies.

Traders in Paddy Power HQ in Dublin have been left sweating after a Chelmsford-based punter practically pulled off the heist of the yr by touchdown a £200,000 payday.

The on-line buyer had picked seven horses and put them in two totally different bets – a £20 each-way accumulator, and a £1 Super Heinz (which is a mix of the choices in 240 other ways).

What adopted was the stuff of fairytales. His first six choices – Slade Steel, Gaelic Warrior, Chianti Classico, State Man, Lossiemouth and Lark In The Mornin – all got here in to go away the punter sweating over the massive six-figure payout if Embassy Gardens received.

The Willie Mullins-trained Embassy Gardens was the 7/4 favorite for the 5.30 and whereas the punter let his Super Heinz run, he cashed out the accumulator for £36,000.

And it proved to be a shrewd transfer.

Embassy Gardens got here dwelling second behind Corbetts Cross, making it an early contender for cashout of the week.

The Super Heinz, in the meantime, would have returned one other £49,937 had it are available in – however a payout of greater than £14,000 was a lot to cushion the blow.

A muddy begin for racegoers

Heavy going ensured just a few fancied runners received caught within the mud however that was nothing in comparison with the state of the Cheltenham automobile park. 

Long earlier than racing began, wheels have been spinning left, proper and centre and the persistence of some racegoers was getting frayed.

It all meant that loads of tractors have been required readily available to do the enterprise and provides marooned automobiles a much-needed nudge and a elevate. 

The racecourse is working on a regular basis to discover a method of bettering the expertise for these arriving on monitor. Parking will definitely catch their eye.

Bob comes first for Acheson

A pleasant downside emerged for Brian Acheson, whose colors have been carried to success within the opening race by Slade Steel, however it’s a downside, nonetheless. Irish Point ran a incredible race within the Champion Hurdle and justified connections’ religion to tackle State Man.

One race appears tailored for Irish Point and that’s the two-and-a-half mile Aintree Hurdle, on the primary day of the Grand National assembly. Irish Point received over the course-and-distance as a novice 12 months in the past and he would have an excellent probability in that contest.

To go there, although, would imply taking over his third ‘baby’. Acheson is a proud dad to Robert and Courtney however the esteem by which he holds Bob Olinger, borders on paternal. He adores this horse, twice a Cheltenham winner, and has lengthy had Liverpool in thoughts for him.

The end result? Irish Point should discover one other goal. Bob comes first.

Ascot chief basks within the Festival

Amazing to suppose that Royal Ascot is barely three months away and Sir Francis Brooke, Chairman of the King’s course, can be discover ideas about these 5 days of glamour and pageantry all-consuming very quickly – if they aren’t already.

But having tasted Cheltenham success as an proprietor, when Chianti Clasico dug deep, he completely understood why this Festival is spoken about all-year round.

‘Better than an Ascot winner is not it?’ he was requested within the giddy throng afterwards. 

Quite properly, he allowed the query to float into the ether.

Crowds down however undampened

The inclement climate did not dampen spirits of racegoers and the roar that engulfed the course when Rachael Blackmore lifted Slade Steel again up within the last 100 yards was all the things Cheltenham ought to be. 

There was, although, noticeably slightly more room to manoeuvre and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how crowd figures examine on the finish of the week.

Free pints for all 

Punters are getting stung for £7.50 a pint of Guinness at Cheltenham – a truth not misplaced on bookies Paddy Power.

In a jibe on the ridiculousness of the pricing, the Irish bookmaker opened a bar – imaginatively titled ‘Paddy’s Bar’ – and gave out a free pint for every buyer to greet racegoers at Cheltenham forward of day one.

Spokesman Paddy Power stated: ‘We’re all about making nice recollections on the Cheltenham Festival, however everyone knows the English cannot pour a Guinness for love nor cash. 

‘So what higher solution to begin the week than a correct pint of the black stuff totally free, earlier than having fun with the good racing? That’s why we provided punters the prospect to begin their week £7.50 up!’

PADDY POWER’S CHEAT SHEET FOR DAY TWO

Tuesday supplied loads of thrills, spills and – for those who had a little bit of luck – greenback payments, and we would not be stunned if day two’s Cheltenham Festival line-up is simply as a lot of a rollercoaster trip for punters in addition to your humble bookmaking pal.

Whether you are up, down or someplace within the center after day one although there’s nonetheless seven extra smashing races of prime class National Hunt fare to get caught into on Wednesday – attempt to include your pleasure.

We’ll know by about 1.35pm whether or not Willie Mullins made the fitting name in diverting Ballyburn to the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle after Slade Steel franked the shape in Tuesday’s opener. 

If Ballyburn disappoints, Mullins nonetheless saddles market leaders Fact To File (2.10pm), Sa Majeste (2.50pm) and El Fabiolo (3.30pm) amongst others as he tries to show the screw on day two.

There’s an inspection of the Country Chase course at 8am on Wednesday so be ready for it to be a late addition to Friday’s card.

Courtesy of Paddy Power News, their pundits Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh, Paddy Mullins, Matt Chapman and Nina Carberry supply up their suggestions for day two beneath…

1.30 GALLAGHER NOVICES’ HURDLE 

Mick Fitzgerald

Ballyburn (9/25 with Paddy Power) is the plain choose however I’d sooner ILE ATLANTIQUE (each-way) who has some excellent type to his identify.

Matt Chapman

Most will see this as a penalty kick for Ballyburn, however I’ll have just a few quid each-way on JINGKO BLUE on the costs

Paddy Mullins

We suppose the world of BALLYBURN and this may inform us whether or not we’re proper or not. Trip and floor will go well with

Ruby Walsh

BALLYBURN has been my choose in no matter race he runs in so I’ll persist with him. JIMMY DU SEUIL could possibly be an each-way play.

Nina Carberry

Now that BALLYBURN runs right here he is nonetheless the one to beat.

2.10 BROWN ADVISORY CHASE

Mick Fitzgerald

I’m not as satisfied that Fact To File will relish this 3m journey. STAY AWAY FAY is a really sturdy stayer and I’d sooner aspect with him if this turns right into a slog.

Matt Chapman

I’m an enormous STAY AWAY FAY supporter whoever beats him right here should be an actual star. Of course Fact to File would possibly, however I’ll persist with Harry Cobden.

Paddy Mullins

FACT TO FILE (4/5 with Paddy Power) jumps, settles, and has a high-cruising pace and a flip of foot. The full bundle.

Ruby Walsh

FACT TO FILE ought to be too fast for Stay Away Fay who should do plenty of the donkey work now up entrance.

Nina Carberry

I fancy MONTY’S STAR each-way to run a giant race

2.50: CORAL CUP HANDICAP HURDLE 

Mick Fitzgerald

DODDIETHEGREAT ran very well within the 2m Betfair Hurdle and the step up in journey to 2m 5f ought to actually go well with him.

Matt Chapman

The one I’m risking right here is MIGHT I. He’s attention-grabbing off 142 having been fourth this time final yr off 145 within the Martin Pipe behind Iroko.

Paddy Mullins

If SA MAJESTE runs like he works at dwelling then he’s effectively handicapped.

Ruby Walsh

Willie Mullins saddles SA MAJESTE who could possibly be effectively handicapped however his value is brief sufficient now for a handicap like this. I want FIRST STREET (each-way) for a little bit of worth.

Nina Carberry

BUILT BY BALLYMORE (4/1 with Paddy Power) is ready up for this race, he is been laid out for all of it season.

3.30 CHAMPION CHASE

Mick Fitzgerald

1 really feel like a deserter ignoring Jonbon however all the things has to go proper for him to win. EL FABIOLO simply at all times finds a solution to get the job carried out.

Matt Chapman

I’m massively within the EL FABIOLO camp and count on him to show the excellent two-miler chaser of the season.

Paddy Mullins

EL FABIOLO beat Jonbon final yr and will affirm that outcome once more.

Ruby Walsh

I nonetheless suppose the angle on JONBON (each-way) stands up. I am unable to see him out of the three so you may get your a reimbursement. If he beats El Fabiolo you may get a bunch extra.

Nina Carberry  

I am unable to get away from EL FABIOLO. 

4.10 GLENFARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY 

Mick Fitzgerald

DELTA WORK is an actual course specialist and appears for a hat-trick of wins on this contest. He’s a confirmed performer.

Matt Chapman

I wished to oppose the previous Gold Cup hero MINELLA INDO however he’ll love the heavy floor and he actually does have a superb opportunity of profitable.

Paddy Mullins

MINELLA INDO is a former Gold Cup winner within the Cross Country. He picks himself.

Ruby Walsh

The Cross Country course faces an 8am inspection on Wednesday. If the bottom is that heavy it’s going to go well with COKO BEACH.

Nina Carberry

I’m going with GALVIN who put in an excellent run at Navan final time.

4.50 GRAND ANNUAL CHASE 

Mick Fitzgerald

LIBBERTY HUNTER is a novice with some excellent type this season. The reserving of prime UK jockey Harry Cobden ought to be famous.

Matt Chapman

UNEXPECTED PARTY (each-way) would need higher floor however he would possibly simply be a really effectively handicapped. If held up off a robust gallop could possibly be very attention-grabbing.

Paddy Mullins

SAINT ROI at all times runs effectively at Cheltenham and is a Grade 1 horse in a handicap.

Ruby Walsh

Two towards the sector for me in SAINT ROI who ran effectively sufficient within the Arkle final yr and LIBBERTY HUNTER.

Nina Carberry

SAN FUREUR was a really respectable hurdler and has good chase type this season. He steps in to handicap firm now and handles tender floor.

5.30 CHAMPION BUMPER 

Mick Fitzgerald

Romeo Coolio regarded excellent when profitable at Fairyhouse and will give his house owners motive to have fun after Mount Ida received for them at a ‘Covid’ Cheltenham.

Matt Chapman

For a while I’ve been siding with YOU OUGHTA KNOW (each-way) who’s certainly one of many who goes for Willie Mullins. An enormous subject and robust tempo ought to go well with.

Paddy Mullins

JASMIN DE VEUX put in probably the most visually spectacular efficiency at Naas and I’m fortunate sufficient to be driving him.

Ruby Walsh

ARGENTO BOY (EACH-WAY) performs higher on the monitor than he does in his homework and can keep going within the tender floor.

Nina Carberry

I’ve to go along with THE YELLOW CLAY. There’s much more to come back from him.