Updated 4.10pm
IT’S WAS A dream start to Cheltenham for Ireland’s Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins as they won three races on the opening day of the 2015 festival.
The pair combined when Faugheen won the feature Champion Hurdle, Douvan took the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Un De Sceaux claimed the Arkle Chase.
But there was a big shock in the Mares’ Hurdle when huge favourite Annie Power fell at the last fence under Walsh and it was another Willie Mullins-trained horse Glens Melody that came home first.
Douvan went off the 2/1 favourite in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and finished strongly to see off Shaneshill (9/1) in second place while Siziing John finished third at 25/1. Barry Geraghty’s L’Ami Serge was back in fourth place at 7/2.
Then Un De Sceaux held off late pressure from God’s Own after leading all the way to come in as the 4/6 favourite. God’s Own was in second at 33/1 while Josses Hill finished third at 12/1.
Faugheen was magnificent in winning the Champion Hurdle as the 4/5 favourite saw off Arctic Fire (20/1) into second place with the great Hurricane Fly, a two-time winner of this race, back in third at 8/1.
An Irish jockey also won the third race with Barry Geraghty aboard The Druids Nephew in the Festival Handicap Chase.
The punters were pretty happy with Ruby Tuesday.
In contrast to the bookies.
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RESULTS
1.30pm – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
1st – Douvan (2/1)
2nd – Shaneshill (9/1)
3rd – Sizing John (25/1).
2.05pm – Arkle Chase
1st – Un De Sceaux (4/6)
2nd – God’s Own (33/1)
3rd – Josses Hill (12/1)
2.40pm – Festival Handicap Chase
1st – The Druids Nephew (8/1)
2nd – Grand Jesture (25/1)
3rd – Gallant Oscar (9/1)
3.20pm – Champion Hurdle
1st – Faugheen (4/5)
2nd – Arctic Fire (20/1)
3rd – Hurricane Fly (8/1)
4pm – Mares’ Hurdle
1st – Glens Melody (6/1)
2nd – Polly Peachum (9/1)
3rd – Bitofapuzzle (16/1)
4.40pm – National Hunt Chase
1st – Cause Of Causes (8/1)
2nd – Broadway Buffalo (12/1)
3rd – The Job Is Right (10/1)
5.15pm – Novices Handicap Chase
1st – Irish Cavalier (11/1)
2nd – Thomas Crapper (6/1)
3rd – Generous Ransom (8/1)
Annie Power must be related to Paddy Power.
Thank you Ruby Willie and of course Douvan and Un De Seaux for the easiest 100 euro ever. Great little 20 double to start the festival off !
Have the first 3 up need Annie power, faugheen and Thomas crapper to win for a clean sweep on a 10c lucky 63!! Nerves shattered!!!
I cried a bit when Annie power fell
Well done shaneshill as well
Annie power…a nation holds its breath..
Ruby Walsh…a nation cries in despair….
Good to see Annie @ ruby back up so unlucky
Bet u didn’t back him
Annie power for a clean sweep on me lucky 15 come on
Well done ruby for saving bookies 34 million payout. Not for the first time he’s done it …
Collapsed on my knees in despair when Annie Power fell at the last
Truly an excellent horse, Faugheen! So delighted to see him succeed yet again. Great for his breeder from Tuam, his Irish jockey, trainer and owner.
Hey Ruby hold her back give her the crack and up she’ll go!
Can’t believe Ruby jumped off Annie Power. Racing is a fishy game!
What a start for me!
You will always here people saying what they won. You never here them saying how much they lost. A tip I got from Tracy piggott many years ago she said keep your money that’s the only tip I’ll give you. Horse racing is a mugs game.
Dear Mark, nobody likes a boaster, check out my predictions for the first 2 home in The Champion Hurdle article, big deal, we can all get lucky.
I said yesterday Grand Jesture was the e/w bet of the day
All the red thumbs for what? Look at yesterday’s Cheltenham article to prove I’m not bullshitting
AArgh….I opposed him :(
@mark Nolan – then provide a similar e/w bet for tomorrow ! Similar odds please !