17:02 Well that’s it from day one at the Festival and the bragging rights definitely go to the Irish – I’m claiming Wichita Lineman as a British win but it is still 4-0 to the greens.
Tomorrow is another day though and we have Master Minded to look forward to in the feature race.
From day one at the festival a very good evening.
16:59 Our final race of the afternoon the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle saw the most convincing win of the afternoon and, dare I say, yet another win for the Irish and a result for the punters as Quevega came home the fourteen length winner under Ruby Walsh.
Settled about half way early on Walsh began to make relentless progress coming down the hill and by the time he was approaching the final flight - his only danger.
He spring heeled it and recorded a facile victory.
United, who had been to the fore throughout took second place, whilst Aura About You was a running on third.
Over Sixty did not disgrace herself in fourth, whilst the front running Gaspara came home fifth.
16:25 It is a truism that in Cheltenham Cross Country contests one should back Ender Bolger’s runners - a point well made this afternoon as he trained the first three home all for owner JP McManus and just to rub salt into the British wounds the Irish filled the first six places.
The only minor surprise is the prize did not go to the favourite L’Ami under J T McNamara but to Garde Champetre, winner of last years contest and ridden by the Queen of Cheltenham Nina Carberry.
The pace was set by Heads On The Ground (Bolger trained of course) and Puntal.Both L’Ami and Garde Champetre were happy to hack along mid-division for most of the 3m 7f contest before making ground about half a mile from home.
L’Ami took up the running but Nina tracked his every move, with Drombeag going with them as well.Turning for home L’Ami had the lead with Garde Champetre about two lengths behind and Drombeag a further six back.
At the last Nina put Garde Champetre in front and the result was then never in doubt with Garde Champetre coming home 1¾ lengths clear of L’Ami.
Drombeag was 14 lengths further back in third and the fourth, A New Story was 24 lengths behind the third.
15:54 Some comments from the winning conections.
Jockey Barry Geraghty said, "A great performance.
"I thought I had Ruby well covered turning in. He ran on really well, he was all out, it was a great performance.
"I tipped a Nicky Henderson one-two. There was one in between but it's brilliant.
"It's my first winner for Nicky at Cheltenham, as well."
The winning trainer, Nicky Henderson commented, "It takes you back to those great days of See You Then were very special and it's nice to be back with horses that can do this sort of thing.
"Punjabi has always been a very talented horse and Barry gets on very well with him.
"Both of mine have run tremendous races. It's very special to see them both there with Celestial Halo in between them.
"You think you have two chances and you've still got one to beat - a great race."
15:50 Wow – what a cracking finish to the 2009 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle!!
We witnessed yet another driving finish up the Cheltenham hill and, arguably this was the most exciting one of the lot.
In the largest Champion Hurdle field for 18 years they went off at a fair lick headed by Osana, runner up in the race last year. The old boy, Hardy Eustace and Paul Nicholls Celestial Halo kept him company up front.
The favourite Binocular, with Tony McCoy on board and looking for a quick double was settled in fourth place, along with a number of other runners in what was a tightly bunched field behind the first three.
In contrast to last year however, Osana was sending out distress signals after the fifth and soon after dropped out of contention, leaving Hardy Eustace and Celestial Halo up front with Binocular, Othermix and Punjabi tracking.
As they turned for home and the final flight it was realistically down to just three contenders woth Celestial Halo just having the advantage over Punjabi and Binocular looming large for a challenge.
At the last Punjabi, under Barry Geraghty, put in the better leap to take up the running, taking a couple of lengths out of his rivals.
The hill seemed to go on forever as Punjabi plugged on but both his rivals were slowly but surely eating into his lead.
The line came just in time for Punjabi to hold on for a neck victory with Celestial Halo holding off Binocular by a head for second place.
15:02 I have a feeling the Irish are going to claim the third winner as well as the first two.
Trained in the UK by an Irishman, ridden by an Irishman and owned by an Irishman, Wichita Lineman’s win saw the champion jockey AP McCoy at his very best and there was no doubt whatsoever as to his delight as he crossed the line to win the William Hill Trophy by a neck in a superb driving finish.
In the 3m 110yd contest The Sawyer lead for most of the contest with Billyvodan, Ollie Magern and last year’s Grand National winner Comply Or Die all keeping him company up front.
Throw in Nenuphar Collonges and Wichita Lineman and you basically cover those who were in contention for most of the contest.
As they came down the hill The Sawyer still had the lead and it was Ollie Magern of the others who was keeping him company. Maljimar came from the pack to take third with Nenuphar Collonges and Wichita Lineman also still in contention.
Maljimar ran on eye-catchingly under Daryl Jacob and was in the lead jumping the last and looking in a good position to win the race.
Nenuphar Collonges and Wichita Lineman gave chase and it was the latter, getting the full Mccoy treatment, who ran on best of all to take the lead in the final strides, with Nenuphar Collonges taking third.
Dear Villez under substitute rider Ruby Walsh ran on to deny The Sawyer fourth spot.
14:31 It has just started raining.
Ruby Walsh is to ride Dear Villez in the next.
There is a 10p Rule 4 for bets struck before the withdrawal of Star De Mohasion
14:20 A significant non-runner in our next - Star De Mohaison will not run.
14:19 Well all hell is breaking loose here as the Irish have a 100% success rate at the 2009 Festival.
Forpaddydeplasterer, who was disappointing here last year, made amends by taking the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase.
Once again it was a dramatic finish with the leader holding off a late challenge, this time from Khalahari King, who was running on really well up the hill and only failed to overhaul the leader by a short head.
If the finish was dramatic, there was even greater drama at the third when the 4/1 favourite Tatenen crashed out (both the horse and Ruby Walsh were OK).
Made In Taipan was the hare in this contest and he held the lead until two out, although he did make a mistake three out, as did the winner. The winner spend most of the race in second or third spot and took up the running approaching the last.
Kalahari King was settled mid-division before making progress coming down the hill.
Planet Of Sound came home third.
13:55 Well the Irish maintain their stranglehold on the Supreme Novices as Go Native held off a late challenge from Medermit.
Settled mid-division for most of the contest Paul Carberry made eye-catching progress approaching the second last and between the final two flights took the lead.
Golan Way, as is his wont, set the early pace and had a good six to seven length lead until making a mistake at the third, allowing Tony McCoy on Ainama to take up the running.
At the top of the hill the leaders were three abreast with Ainama, Golan Way and Shoreacres all in with a chance.
Come the business end however it was all change. With Go Native launching his charge he soon had a clear lead and looked as though he would win as he pleased.
An unimpressive jump at the last, however, slowed his momentum, leaving the way for
Medermit to launch a challenge. Coming up the hill he was closing the gap with every stride but the line came in time for the Irish raider, who held on by a neck.
It was a close call for third with the running-on Somersby just getting the better of Copper Blue, the latter having been handily placed after running on approaching three out.
The favourite Cousin Vinny was well placed but came home fifth with no excuses.
Speaking to the jockeys after the race Tony McCoy said it was “dead but OK”, Ruby Walsh said “a bit dead”, Jamie Moore “Good to soft but dead” and Denis O’Regan “very soft.”
12:43 50 minutes to the first Cheltenham roar of 2009 and the crowds are starting to swell.
They are already half a dozen deep round the pre-parade ring and there aren’t even any runners out yet.
It is the same story round the parade ring as well.
11:51 The crowds are still arriving with just under 1¼ hours to the first, although there is still space to move. The bigger problems come later on when you need to find a spot to watch the racing.
No such problems for Five Live’s John Hunt who will have one of the best views in the house when he calls the races for the Beebs sports station. I just bumped into him by the parade ring and he is all geared up for this afternoons action - I wonder if he wants a spotter?
11:39 We have some more non-runners, Aachen is out of the opener because of the going and Lothian Falcon is out of the William Hill Trophy with a vets certificate.
Weather wise there is some drizzle in the air and it feels decidedly cooler now.
10:46 There is something really special about the Cheltenham Festival. There are not many meetings where there are long queues outside the gates three hours before the first race.
As the gates opened at 10:30 prompt a wave of humanity spread through the enclosures. There are already more people here already than you will have at start time for a normal Tuesday afternoon meeting.
The course has transformed from an eerie still to a vibrant buzz and the black stuff has barely begun flowing.
10:30 I don’t know if it is because I am sitting underneath the Guinness grandstand but the wind does sound really loud – it is bringing back thoughts of last year!!
For those of you watching on RUK later on the commentators this afternoon will be Mike Cattermole and Richard Hoiles. The third member of the team, Mark Johnson, has a rest day today.
10:16 It is the usual fun and games here in the media centre, with some people making the mistake I made last year and assuming accreditation guarantees a seat – it doesn’t. I made sure I reserved one this year.
Of course that doesn’t prevent some people attempting to claim squatters rights and I have just seen one hack threatened with eviction for pinching someone else’s desk.
I wonder what price a punch up in here before the end of the four days?
It is looking very eerie outside now with 15 minutes before the gates open for the public. They are expecting between 45 and 50 thousand here this afternoon.
Tickets are available on the gate every day, apart from Friday which is advance booking only.
10:03 My first piece of free advice (and probably the best advice you will get from me all day)- don't walk the course with clean shoes.
Sticky is probably the best description. There is a very strong breeze side on from the right as they come down the home straight. Not sure how much it will dry the home straight but the top of the hill is well exposed and bound to dry out a bit.
09:40 Good morning from Cheltenham where there was only 2mm of rain overnight and the official going is good to soft, soft in places.
The weather is dry but with a stiff breeze, which may help dry things out
I'm off to walk the course and will update when I return.
There is a strange feel here at the moment, 50 minutes before the public are admitted. However in just under four hours we will hear the wonderful Cheltenham roar and the action will begin.
Tomorrow is another day though and we have Master Minded to look forward to in the feature race.
From day one at the festival a very good evening.
16:59 Our final race of the afternoon the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle saw the most convincing win of the afternoon and, dare I say, yet another win for the Irish and a result for the punters as Quevega came home the fourteen length winner under Ruby Walsh.
Settled about half way early on Walsh began to make relentless progress coming down the hill and by the time he was approaching the final flight - his only danger.
He spring heeled it and recorded a facile victory.
United, who had been to the fore throughout took second place, whilst Aura About You was a running on third.
Over Sixty did not disgrace herself in fourth, whilst the front running Gaspara came home fifth.
16:25 It is a truism that in Cheltenham Cross Country contests one should back Ender Bolger’s runners - a point well made this afternoon as he trained the first three home all for owner JP McManus and just to rub salt into the British wounds the Irish filled the first six places.
The only minor surprise is the prize did not go to the favourite L’Ami under J T McNamara but to Garde Champetre, winner of last years contest and ridden by the Queen of Cheltenham Nina Carberry.
The pace was set by Heads On The Ground (Bolger trained of course) and Puntal.Both L’Ami and Garde Champetre were happy to hack along mid-division for most of the 3m 7f contest before making ground about half a mile from home.
L’Ami took up the running but Nina tracked his every move, with Drombeag going with them as well.Turning for home L’Ami had the lead with Garde Champetre about two lengths behind and Drombeag a further six back.
At the last Nina put Garde Champetre in front and the result was then never in doubt with Garde Champetre coming home 1¾ lengths clear of L’Ami.
Drombeag was 14 lengths further back in third and the fourth, A New Story was 24 lengths behind the third.
15:54 Some comments from the winning conections.
Jockey Barry Geraghty said, "A great performance.
"I thought I had Ruby well covered turning in. He ran on really well, he was all out, it was a great performance.
"I tipped a Nicky Henderson one-two. There was one in between but it's brilliant.
"It's my first winner for Nicky at Cheltenham, as well."
The winning trainer, Nicky Henderson commented, "It takes you back to those great days of See You Then were very special and it's nice to be back with horses that can do this sort of thing.
"Punjabi has always been a very talented horse and Barry gets on very well with him.
"Both of mine have run tremendous races. It's very special to see them both there with Celestial Halo in between them.
"You think you have two chances and you've still got one to beat - a great race."
15:50 Wow – what a cracking finish to the 2009 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle!!
We witnessed yet another driving finish up the Cheltenham hill and, arguably this was the most exciting one of the lot.
In the largest Champion Hurdle field for 18 years they went off at a fair lick headed by Osana, runner up in the race last year. The old boy, Hardy Eustace and Paul Nicholls Celestial Halo kept him company up front.
The favourite Binocular, with Tony McCoy on board and looking for a quick double was settled in fourth place, along with a number of other runners in what was a tightly bunched field behind the first three.
In contrast to last year however, Osana was sending out distress signals after the fifth and soon after dropped out of contention, leaving Hardy Eustace and Celestial Halo up front with Binocular, Othermix and Punjabi tracking.
As they turned for home and the final flight it was realistically down to just three contenders woth Celestial Halo just having the advantage over Punjabi and Binocular looming large for a challenge.
At the last Punjabi, under Barry Geraghty, put in the better leap to take up the running, taking a couple of lengths out of his rivals.
The hill seemed to go on forever as Punjabi plugged on but both his rivals were slowly but surely eating into his lead.
The line came just in time for Punjabi to hold on for a neck victory with Celestial Halo holding off Binocular by a head for second place.
15:02 I have a feeling the Irish are going to claim the third winner as well as the first two.
Trained in the UK by an Irishman, ridden by an Irishman and owned by an Irishman, Wichita Lineman’s win saw the champion jockey AP McCoy at his very best and there was no doubt whatsoever as to his delight as he crossed the line to win the William Hill Trophy by a neck in a superb driving finish.
In the 3m 110yd contest The Sawyer lead for most of the contest with Billyvodan, Ollie Magern and last year’s Grand National winner Comply Or Die all keeping him company up front.
Throw in Nenuphar Collonges and Wichita Lineman and you basically cover those who were in contention for most of the contest.
As they came down the hill The Sawyer still had the lead and it was Ollie Magern of the others who was keeping him company. Maljimar came from the pack to take third with Nenuphar Collonges and Wichita Lineman also still in contention.
Maljimar ran on eye-catchingly under Daryl Jacob and was in the lead jumping the last and looking in a good position to win the race.
Nenuphar Collonges and Wichita Lineman gave chase and it was the latter, getting the full Mccoy treatment, who ran on best of all to take the lead in the final strides, with Nenuphar Collonges taking third.
Dear Villez under substitute rider Ruby Walsh ran on to deny The Sawyer fourth spot.
14:31 It has just started raining.
Ruby Walsh is to ride Dear Villez in the next.
There is a 10p Rule 4 for bets struck before the withdrawal of Star De Mohasion
14:20 A significant non-runner in our next - Star De Mohaison will not run.
14:19 Well all hell is breaking loose here as the Irish have a 100% success rate at the 2009 Festival.
Forpaddydeplasterer, who was disappointing here last year, made amends by taking the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase.
Once again it was a dramatic finish with the leader holding off a late challenge, this time from Khalahari King, who was running on really well up the hill and only failed to overhaul the leader by a short head.
If the finish was dramatic, there was even greater drama at the third when the 4/1 favourite Tatenen crashed out (both the horse and Ruby Walsh were OK).
Made In Taipan was the hare in this contest and he held the lead until two out, although he did make a mistake three out, as did the winner. The winner spend most of the race in second or third spot and took up the running approaching the last.
Kalahari King was settled mid-division before making progress coming down the hill.
Planet Of Sound came home third.
13:55 Well the Irish maintain their stranglehold on the Supreme Novices as Go Native held off a late challenge from Medermit.
Settled mid-division for most of the contest Paul Carberry made eye-catching progress approaching the second last and between the final two flights took the lead.
Golan Way, as is his wont, set the early pace and had a good six to seven length lead until making a mistake at the third, allowing Tony McCoy on Ainama to take up the running.
At the top of the hill the leaders were three abreast with Ainama, Golan Way and Shoreacres all in with a chance.
Come the business end however it was all change. With Go Native launching his charge he soon had a clear lead and looked as though he would win as he pleased.
An unimpressive jump at the last, however, slowed his momentum, leaving the way for
Medermit to launch a challenge. Coming up the hill he was closing the gap with every stride but the line came in time for the Irish raider, who held on by a neck.
It was a close call for third with the running-on Somersby just getting the better of Copper Blue, the latter having been handily placed after running on approaching three out.
The favourite Cousin Vinny was well placed but came home fifth with no excuses.
Speaking to the jockeys after the race Tony McCoy said it was “dead but OK”, Ruby Walsh said “a bit dead”, Jamie Moore “Good to soft but dead” and Denis O’Regan “very soft.”
12:43 50 minutes to the first Cheltenham roar of 2009 and the crowds are starting to swell.
They are already half a dozen deep round the pre-parade ring and there aren’t even any runners out yet.
It is the same story round the parade ring as well.
11:51 The crowds are still arriving with just under 1¼ hours to the first, although there is still space to move. The bigger problems come later on when you need to find a spot to watch the racing.
No such problems for Five Live’s John Hunt who will have one of the best views in the house when he calls the races for the Beebs sports station. I just bumped into him by the parade ring and he is all geared up for this afternoons action - I wonder if he wants a spotter?
11:39 We have some more non-runners, Aachen is out of the opener because of the going and Lothian Falcon is out of the William Hill Trophy with a vets certificate.
Weather wise there is some drizzle in the air and it feels decidedly cooler now.
10:46 There is something really special about the Cheltenham Festival. There are not many meetings where there are long queues outside the gates three hours before the first race.
As the gates opened at 10:30 prompt a wave of humanity spread through the enclosures. There are already more people here already than you will have at start time for a normal Tuesday afternoon meeting.
The course has transformed from an eerie still to a vibrant buzz and the black stuff has barely begun flowing.
10:30 I don’t know if it is because I am sitting underneath the Guinness grandstand but the wind does sound really loud – it is bringing back thoughts of last year!!
For those of you watching on RUK later on the commentators this afternoon will be Mike Cattermole and Richard Hoiles. The third member of the team, Mark Johnson, has a rest day today.
10:16 It is the usual fun and games here in the media centre, with some people making the mistake I made last year and assuming accreditation guarantees a seat – it doesn’t. I made sure I reserved one this year.
Of course that doesn’t prevent some people attempting to claim squatters rights and I have just seen one hack threatened with eviction for pinching someone else’s desk.
I wonder what price a punch up in here before the end of the four days?
It is looking very eerie outside now with 15 minutes before the gates open for the public. They are expecting between 45 and 50 thousand here this afternoon.
Tickets are available on the gate every day, apart from Friday which is advance booking only.
10:03 My first piece of free advice (and probably the best advice you will get from me all day)- don't walk the course with clean shoes.
Sticky is probably the best description. There is a very strong breeze side on from the right as they come down the home straight. Not sure how much it will dry the home straight but the top of the hill is well exposed and bound to dry out a bit.
09:40 Good morning from Cheltenham where there was only 2mm of rain overnight and the official going is good to soft, soft in places.
The weather is dry but with a stiff breeze, which may help dry things out
I'm off to walk the course and will update when I return.
There is a strange feel here at the moment, 50 minutes before the public are admitted. However in just under four hours we will hear the wonderful Cheltenham roar and the action will begin.
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