TODAY'S ATTENDANCE
Today's attendance came to 66,019 on the first day of The Festival.
This compares to the 2016 record for the first day of 67,700 (2015 - 63,249).
NO CHANGE TO GOING DESCRIPTION
Simon Claisse, Cheltenham's clerk of course, has not altered the going description at Cheltenham at the end of the first day of The Festival 2017.
Claisse said: "We are going to leave the chase and hurdle courses for tomorrow as Good to Soft, and the cross country course as Good to Soft, Good in places.
"We aren't forecast any rain tonight, and it should be another mild day tomorrow with cloud cover."
Edwulf
Edwulf was in third place on the run-in in the J T McNamara National Hunt Challenge Cup before being pulled up by his rider Derek O'Connor.
The horse was immediately attended by vets, who arranged for him to be transported to the racecourse stables for further assessment.
STANDINGS AT THE END OF DAY ONE OF THE FESTIVAL
THE IRISH INDEPENDENT LEADING TRAINER AWARD AT THE FESTIVAL
Trainer 1st 2nd 3rd
Gordon Elliott IRE 3 - 1
Nicky Henderson 2 2 1
Alan Fleming IRE 1 - -
David Pipe 1 - -
Willie Mullins IRE - 2 2
Tom George - 1 -
Warren Greatrex - 1 -
Malcolm Jefferson - 1 -
Henry de Bromhead IRE - - 2
Dan Skelton - - 1
THE BOODLES LEADING JOCKEY AWARD AT THE FESTIVAL
Jockey 1st 2nd 3rd
Nico de Boinville 1 - 1
Bryan Cooper 1 - 1
Noel Fehily 1 - -
Jack Kennedy 1 - -
Ms Lisa O'Neill 1 - -
Denis O'Regan 1 - -
Tom Scudamore 1 - -
Ruby Walsh - 1 1
Aidan Coleman - 1 -
Adrian Heskin - 1 -
Brian Hughes - 1 -
Jeremiah McGrath - 1 -
Mr Noel McParlan - 1 -
Paul Townend - 1 -
Davy Russell - - 3
Mr Patrick Mullins - - 1
THE IRISH THOROUGHBRED MARKETING LEADING OWNER AWARD AT THE FESTIVAL
Owner 1st 2nd 3rd
Gigginstown House Stud 2 - 1
J P McManus 1 1 -
Barry Connell 1 - -
Aidan O'Ryan 1 - -
Patricia Pugh 1 - -
Prof Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew 1 - -
Susannah Ricci - 1 1
John & Barbara Cotton - 1 -
Mrs J Donnelly - 1 -
N Griffith & H Haddock - 1 -
Trevor Hemmings - 1 -
Alan & Andrew Turner - 1 -
Chris Jones - - 2
Mike Grech & Stuart Parkin - - 1
Mrs M Hurley - - 1
Walters Plant Hire & James & Jean Potter - - 1
STEWARDS' REPORTS
Race 1 - 1:30pm SKY BET SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE (Grade 1)
The Stewards noted that BUNK OFF EARLY (IRE), unplaced, brushed the running rail on the bend turning into the back straight, causing it to shift right-handed, interfering with BALLYANDY, placed fourth, which stumbled, but after viewing a recording of the race they were satisfied that it did not involve a riding offence.
The Stewards noted that BUNK OFF EARLY (IRE), CRACK MOME (FR) and MELON, all trained by W.P. Mullins and BALLYANDY, trained by Nigel Twiston Davies, would wear earplugs. They noted that CAPITAL FORCE (IRE), trained by Henry de Bromhead, would wear earplugs, which would be removed at the start. They gave permission for MAGNA CARTOR, trained by John Joseph Hanlon to mount in the chute and go early to post.
The Veterinary Officer reported that CILAOS EMERY (FR), placed fifth, trained by W.P. Mullins, lost its right hind shoe.
Race 2 - 2:10pm RACING POST ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY NOVICES' CHASE (Grade 1)
The Stewards noted that ALTIOR (IRE), trained by Nicky Henderson, would wear earplugs.
Robbie Power, the rider of THREE STARS (IRE), which was pulled up, reported that the gelding lost its action. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 3 - 2:50pm ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE (Grade 3)
The Veterinary Officer reported that JUNCTION FOURTEEN (IRE), which was pulled up, trained by Emma Lavelle, had bled from the nose.
Sean Flanagan, the rider of MEASUREOFMYDREAMS (IRE), unplaced, reported that the gelding was hampered by a faller at the second last fence.
Brian Hughes, the rider of COOLOGUE (IRE), which was pulled up, reported that the gelding was hampered by a faller at the first fence.
The Veterinary Officer reported that NOBLE ENDEAVOUR (IRE), placed third, trained by Gordon Elliott, suffered from post-race ataxia.
The Veterinary Officer reported that LABEL DES OBEAUX (FR), unplaced, trained by Alan King, suffered from post-race ataxia.
The Veterinary Officer reported that VICONTE DU NOYER (FR), which was pulled up, trained by Colin Tizzard, lost its left fore shoe.
The Veterinary Officer reported that HOLYWELL (IRE), which was pulled up, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, lost its left hind shoe.
Race 4 - 3:30pm STAN JAMES CHAMPION HURDLE CHALLENGE TROPHY (Grade 1)
The Stewards gave permission for PETIT MOUCHOIR (FR) to go first in the parade and they noted that the gelding would wear earplugs, which would be removed at the start. The Stewards noted that BUVEUR D'AIR (FR), trained by Nicky Henderson, would wear earplugs and that MOON RACER (IRE), trained by David Pipe, would wear earplugs which would be removed at the start.
The Stewards noted that WICKLOW BRAVE, ridden by P. Townend, and trained by W.P. Mullins, lined up with the other runners but was reluctant to jump off when the tape was released.
Mark Walsh, the rider of YANWORTH, unplaced, reported that the gelding was unsuited by the slow early pace. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding, during routine testing, failed to reveal any abnormalities.
The Stewards considered the running of MOON RACER (IRE), ridden by Tom Scudamore, and trained by David Pipe, which was pulled up. The Stewards noted the trainer's explanation that the gelding made a mistake at the top of the hill when weakening. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities.
The Veterinary Officer reported that BRAIN POWER (IRE), unplaced, trained by Nicky Henderson, lost its right fore shoe.
Race 5 - 4:10pm OLBG MARES' HURDLE RACE (Grade 1)
The Stewards noted that LIMINI (IRE), trained by W.P. Mullins, would wear earplugs and they gave permission for RONS DREAM, trained by Peter Bowen, to wear a hood in the parade ring only.
Race 6 - 4:50pm J T MCNAMARA NATIONAL HUNT CHALLENGE CUP AMATEUR RIDERS' NOVICES' CHASE (Grade 2)
The Stewards held an enquiry into possible interference shortly after landing over the third last fence. Having heard their evidence and viewed recordings of the race they found that KERROW (IRE), placed sixth, ridden by Mr Joshua Newman, switched right-handed interfering with ARBRE DE VIE (FR), who clipped heels and unseated Ms K. Walsh, the rider. The Stewards found Mr Newman in breach of Rule (B)54.1 and guilty of careless riding in that he had switched right when not sufficiently clear They suspended him for 5 days as follows: Friday 31 March and Sunday 2, Monday 3, Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 March 2017.
The Stewards noted that ARBRE DE VIE (FR) and HAYMOUNT (IRE), both trained by W.P. Mullins, would wear earplugs.
The Veterinary Officer reported that MARTELLO TOWER (IRE), which was pulled up, trained by Ms Margaret Mullins, was lame left hind.
Race 7 - 5:30pm - CLOSE BROTHERS NOVICES' HANDICAP CHASE (Listed Race)
The record of vaccinations in the passport of KILLINEY COURT (IRE), trained by Henry de Bromhead, did not comply with the Rules of Racing. The Stewards found the trainer in breach of Rule (E)18 and fined him £140.
The Stewards noted that FOXTAIL HILL (IRE), trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, would wear earplugs.
The Veterinary Officer reported that SIZING TENNESSEE (IRE), which was pulled up, trained by Colin Tizzard, had bled from the nose. The Stewards ordered the gelding to be routine tested.
