Afternoon all and welcome along on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The build-up has been dominated by speculation as to whether 2020 four-day race meeting would take place but it is set to commence at 1.30pm.

Here’s today’s schedule:

• 1.30pm - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
• 2.10pm - Arkle Challenge Trophy
• 2.50pm - Ultima Handicap Chase
• 3.30pm – Champion Hurdle
• 4.10pm – Mares’ Hurdle
• 4.50pm – Handicap Chase
• 5.30pm – National Hunt Chase

So first up it’s the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, won last year by Willie Mullins with Klassical Dream.

He has the fancied Asterion Forlonge here with Paul Townend on board. Other leading contenders here are Abacadabras for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell, Fiddlerontheroof for Robbie Power and Colin Tizzard, Chantry House for Barry Geraghty and Nickey Henderson, and then Shishkin for Henderson and Nico De Boinville.

Who’s your tip to triumph?

Trainer Henry de Bromhead

Trainer Willie Mullins with his wife Jackie

Racegoers use hand sanitisers ahead of the festival as a result of the corona virus. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

The big news here is that Henderson’s mount Shishkin has been drifting notably this morning. The trainer last won here in this race in 2016 with Altior, who was ruled out this morning of the bid to defend the Champion Chase title tomorrow.

First race of #Cheltenham2020!!

The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is coming up on Virgin Media One!

Here's your runners & riders!#VMTVRacing pic.twitter.com/nZeThvYf1d

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 10, 2020

Almost set to go in the first race in what looks like a wide open contest.

And we’ve had a false start, it’ll take a few moments to get them back together and that Cheltenham roar must gather again.

And they’re off in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle! 

The favourite Asterion Forlonge leading them out.

Elixir D’Ainay and Whatsnottoknow challenging Asterion Forlonge now, plenty involved.

Four still to go and all still in this.

Elixir D’Ainay and Captain Guinness are both gone!

It’s between Shishkin and Abacadabras at the line!

Looks like Shishkin just got there for Nico De Boinville and Nicky Henderson.

Shishkin wins the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle!

So a brilliant start to the week for Henderson and De Boinville. Big disappointment for Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott not managing to get there.

Favourite Asterion Forlonge’s jumping was an issue as the race progressed and his jump right impacted Elixir D’Ainay and Captain Guinness.

So here’s the official result from the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle:

• 1. Shishkin 6/1
• 2. Abacadabras 11/4
• 3. Chantry House 15/2

A fourth win for Nicky Henderson in this race.

SHISKIN! 🏇

What a performance to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle! 🏆

Just holds off Abacadabras on the line!#CheltenhamFestival #VMTVRacing pic.twitter.com/3kyB9JpAL3

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 10, 2020

Shishkin ridden by Nico de Boinville (behind) goes over the last with Abacadabras ridden by Davy Russell

Nico de Boinville and trainer Nicky Henderson celebrate following victory in the the Supreme Novices' Hurdle aboard Shishkin Simon Cooper Simon Cooper

So we can start to take a look at what’s coming up next now. It’s the Arkle Challenge Trophy which is due off at 2.10pm, it was a Willie Mullins-Paul Townend partnership last year that celebrated courtesy of Duc Des Genievres.

The big contenders here are:

• Notebook for Rachael Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead
• Fakir D’Oudairies for Joseph O’Brien and Mark Walsh
• Cash Back for Townend and Mullins
• Brewin’upastorm for Richard Johnson and Olly Murphy

There’s 11 in the field here, Notebook set to go off favourite.

AP McCoy going with Fakir D’Oudairies and Ruby Walsh says it’s Cash Back (each/way).

And we’ve another false start, we’ll have to wait a bit longer for the Arkle to go off.

And they’re off in the Arkle Challenge Trophy.

Put The Kettle On and Cash Back in front in the early stages.

Notebook in fifth, Fakir D’Oudairies right there as well.

Cash Back has the lead, favourite Notebook is improving and jumps into third.

Maire Banrigh is gone, Brewinupastorm has unseated rider as well.

Three to go, leading pack still there.

Put The Kettle On and Fakir D’Oudairies, it’s between them.

Put The Kettle On wins the Arkle Challenge Trophy!

So it’s an Irish winner but not the Henry De Bromhead contender that was expected! He sees Cork native Aidan Coleman on board to steer the winner home ahead of Fakir D’Oudairies with Rouge Vif back in third.

The favourite Notebook was in a strong position but faded towards the end and ultimately it was an eighth Cheltenham Festival success for De Bromhead.

Here’s the official result:

• 1. Put The Kettle On 16/1
• 2. Fakir D’Oudairies 3/1
• 3. Rouge Vif 9/1

Aidan Coleman on board the winner Put The Kettle On Simon Cooper Simon Cooper

Next up is the Grade 3 Ultima Handicap Chase at 2.50pm with Kim Bailey’s entrant Vinndication the favourite here.

Disappointing news for jockey Richard Johnson.

And they’re off in the third race of the day, the Ultima Handicap Chase. 

Cepage leads them with Vinndication in second and Vintage Clouds close by. Going to the final circuit.

Kildisart and The Conditional there as well with leaders, Discorama about 9th or 10th.

The Conditional wins the Ultima Handicap Chase!

Here’s how it finished:

• 1. The Conditional 15/2
• 2. Kildisart 10/1
• 3. Discorama 11/2 joint fav
• 4. Vinndication 11/2 joint fav

THE CONDITIONAL! 👏👏

Stumbled at the 2nd last but recovered brilliantly to get up and win the Ultima!!

What a finish!#CheltenhamFestival #VMTVRacing pic.twitter.com/YKnPQ0S3PX

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 10, 2020

All eyes now turn to the big one today, the 2020 Champion Hurdle. They’re off at 3.30pm with Epatante the favourite in a field of 17.

Here’s the field for the 2020 Champion Hurdle:

1. Ballyandy
2. Call Me Lord
3. Cilaos Emery
4. Coeur Sublime
5. Cornerstone Lad
6. Darasso
7. Darver Star
8. Fusil Raffles
9. Gumball
10. Le Patriote
11. Not So Sleepy
12. Pentland Hills
13. Petit Mouchoir
14. Sharjah
15. Silver Streak
16. Supasundae
17. Epatante

England rugby players (L-R) Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Elliot Daly and Tom Curry present for Champion Hurdle day. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

And they’re off in the Champion Hurdle!

Petit Mouchoir the early leader from Cornerstone Lad.

Favourite Epatante in seventh right now.

Petit Mouchoir and Cornerstone Lad have stretched clear by a few lengths now.

Darver Star in third, likes of Ballyandy and Epatante also well placed.

Now Petit Mouchoir has increased the advantage, about four lengths clear of Darver Star.

Cornerstone Lad set to be eased out of the contest after that strong early start.

The pack has closed in on Petit Mouchoir after they have taken two from home.

Darver STar takes it up.

Epatante pulls clear!

And Epatante wins the Champion Hurdle!

The favourite justifies that tag for trainer Nicky Henderson, jockey Barry Geraghty and owner JP McManus.

A fourth Champion Hurdle success for Geraghty, what a record he has in this race.

And here’s the full result from the 2020 Champion Hurdle:

• 1. Epatante 2/1
• 2. Sharjah 16/1
• 3. Darver Star 17/2
• 4. Cilaos Emery 7/1

A big milestone as well for Nicky Henderson. An eighth Champion Hurdle win for the renowned trainer!

Epatante!!!

The tiny mare with a huge engine wins the Champion Hurdle!

Absolutely brilliant win with Barry Geraghty onboard! 🇮🇪#CheltenhamFestival #VMTVRacing pic.twitter.com/O6W1TS5YPb

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 10, 2020

"Every step of the way she was a dream!"

An absolutely buzzing @BarryJGeraghty after winning the Champion Hurdle on Epatante. 🇮🇪#CheltenhamFestival #VMTVRacing pic.twitter.com/h2MFjNu1ZO

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 10, 2020

Next it’s the Mares’ Hurdle at 4.10pm with Benie Des Dieux the overwhelming favourite with Honeysuckle the other highly-rated option.

So this looks a straight two horse race between these leading contenders, can any other runner spring a surprise?

And they’re off in the Mares’ Hurdle.

Stormy Ireland makes the early running with Honeysuckle just behind.

Favourite Benis Des Dieux in fourth just behind Honeysuckle. Stormy Ireland still in front.

The fancied pair both coming to challenge now.

Stormy Ireland continuing to lead with Honeysuckle third and Benie Des Dieux in fourth. Heading for the third last.

Elfile also in the reckoning approaching the third last.

Honeysuckle hits the front.

Honeysuckle wins the Mares’ Hurdle!

Another super success for Henry De Bromhead with this Grade 1 triumph and Rachael Blackmore gets to celebrate after the disappointment earlier with Notebook.

Favourite Benie Des Dieux comes up short in second and then Elfile is in third.

Here’s the full result from the Mares’ Hurdle:

• 1. Honeysuckle 9/4
• 2. Benie Des Dieux 4/6
• 3. Elfile 16/1

Two more races to go today. We’ve the Handicap Chase next off at 4.50pm, favourite here likely to be Imperial Aura.

"We don't want to watch it again!"

Willie Mullins believes there was a miscommunication turning for home in an eventful Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/s3qPpROfAn

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 10, 2020

"When it all works out, it's some kick." @rachaelblackmor is absolutely delighted after victory aboard the "special" Honeysuckle at @CheltenhamRaces #CheltenhamFestival @LydiaHislop

Results ➡ https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/WeR01lVCQ0

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 10, 2020

Imperial Aura wins the Novices’ Handicap Chase!

Kim Bailey’s Imperial Aura wins ahead of Gordon Elliott’s Galvin with both the joint favourites beforehand.

Imperious!

The well-backed Imperial Aura delivers for punters with a commanding success in the Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase 👏 #CheltenhamFestival @kimbaileyracing pic.twitter.com/bcVnlX4A9w

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 10, 2020

Here’s the full result from the Novices’ Handicap Chase:

• 1. Imperial Aura (4/1 joint fav)
• 2. Galvin (4/1 joint fav)
• 3. Hold The Note 10/1
• 4. Whatmore 14/1

So just one race left on the first day of the 2020 Festival from Cheltenham. That’s the National Hunt Chase at 5.30pm with Patrick Mullins on board the favourite Carefully Selected here.

And they’re off in the National Hunt Chase.

Springfield Fox and Smoking Gun start well, Carefully Selected a little further back.

Lord Du Mesnil into the lead now, Newtide is fourth.

Lord Du Mesnil just ahead of Springfield Fox now, Newtide and Forza Milan well in contention.

Carefully Selected in seventh now.

Springfield Fox has unseated rider, Lord Du Mesnil leading Newtide now by four or five lengths.

And now favourite Carefully Selected has fallen! It’s between Ravenhill and Lord Du Mesnil.

Ravenhill wins the National Hunt Chase!

Super stuff from jockey Jamie Codd and that gets trainer Gordon Elliott off the mark for the week.

Looks like Lord Du Mesnil in second with Lamanver Pippin back in third.

Here’s the official result from the National Hunt Chase:

• 1. Ravenhill (12/1)
• 2. Lord Du Mesnil (11/2)
• 3. Lamanver Pippin (33/1)

That’s it then from the opening day at Cheltenham.

In summary it’s been a great day for Nicky Henderson with those wins in the Supreme Novices’ for Shishkin and yet another Champion Hurdle win thanks to the exploits this time of Epatante. Barry Geraghty and JP McManus got to toast that success as well.

Waterford trainer Henry De Bromhead can feel pretty jubilant as well after Put The Kettle On took the Arkle while Honeysuckle claimed glory in the Mares’ Hurdle.

The Conditional won the Ultima Handicap Chase, Imperial Aura succeeded in the Novices’ Handicap Chase and Ravenhill was first home in the last race, the National Hunt Chase.

Thanks for joining in our coverage and we’ll be back tomorrow for more. Bye!