CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL NEWS: MORE THAN 60,000 RACEGOERS ENJOY DAY ONE OF THE FESTIVAL
Tuesday 12th March
A crowd of 60,181 enjoyed day one of the Cheltenham Festival as Ireland dominated on the track with victories in six of the seven races.
Willie Mullins landed three of them – including State Man’s Unibet Champion Hurdle success - to take him to a career Festival total of 97, with Joseph O’Brien, Henry de Bromhead, Emmet Mullins and local trainer Kim Bailey also saddling winners on Champion Day.
Ian Renton, who runs Cheltenham Racecourse as The Jockey Club’s Managing Director, said: “Day one of The Festival once again provided some fantastic and compelling racing for more than 60,000 fans who joined us on course.
“The opening race on the card, the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, set the tone for the day with a thrilling finish and State Man was a worthy winner of our feature race, the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
“Three wins for Willie Mullins today have taken him to within touching distance of 100 winners at the Festival, in a week when we will also celebrate the centenary of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.
“We now look forward to Style Wednesday which will include our feature race, the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.”
Cheltenham Racecourse also offered their condolences to connections of two horses, Highland Hunter – trained by Fergal O’Brien - and Ose Partir of Martin Brassil’s yard.
A spokesperson said: “Highland Hunter was immediately attended by expert veterinary professionals in the concluding stages of our third race but sadly passed away. In the sixth race, Ose Partir sustained an injury and was humanely put to sleep. Our heartfelt condolences are with the connections of both horses.”
An inspection will take place at 8am tomorrow morning to decide whether the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase can take place. Cheltenham has experienced significantly more rainfall in the last 24 hours than was initially forecast and parts of the Cross-Country course were waterlogged earlier in the day.
