Before you continue
Generic error message
The selected items have been added to your basket
View BasketYour Basket will expire in time minutes.
The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, known as Champion Day, lived up to its reputation for delivering high-stakes drama, breathtaking performances, and unexpected twists.
The Unibet Champion Hurdle provided the defining moment of the day, as shocks and spills paved the way for an unforgettable victory.
Jeremy Scott Rolls the Dice and Strikes Gold
In a contest filled with drama, it was Golden Ace (25-1) who emerged victorious, capitalising on the misfortune of the race’s leading contenders. Pre-race favourite Constitution Hill unseated Nico de Boinville at the fifth, while defending champion State Man looked set for glory before a dramatic final-flight fall. With the door left open, Golden Ace stormed home to win, becoming only the seventh mare to claim Champion Hurdle glory.
For trainer Jeremy Scott, the triumph was surreal. “I must be dreaming—somebody thump me! We thought we’d pick up some prize money, not win the whole thing,” he admitted. Jockey Lorcan Williams, securing his third Festival victory, added: “I cannot believe it. We were staying on well, then things just started to happen.”
With a bold decision to bypass the Mares’ Hurdle paying off, Golden Ace has now stamped herself as a star of the division. Champion Day once again proved why Cheltenham is the ultimate stage for racing’s most unforgettable moments.
Cheltenham Pays Tribute to Michael O'Sullivan
Cheltenham’s opening race today was a heartfelt tribute to the late Michael O'Sullivan, with the victory in the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle going to Kopek Des Bordes. The 4-6 favourite, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, claimed a thrilling win by a length and three-quarters.
Townend, moved by the occasion, said, “Michael was a big part of our team, and he’s in all our thoughts today.” The entire racing community, from Mullins to part-owner Charlie McCarthy, paid their respects to O'Sullivan, with McCarthy describing the win as "a dream come true."
Everyone in attendance showed their respect, making the victory even more poignant and a fitting tribute to Michael's legacy.
Jango Baie Flies Late to Steal Arkle Glory
The My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase produced another thrilling finish, as Jango Baie (5-1) came from nowhere to deny Only By Night, with odds-on favorite Majborough back in third. Trading at 329-1 in-running with some bookmakers, Jango Baie looked out of contention before flying home after the last to win by three-quarters of a length.
Trainer Nicky Henderson admitted the two-mile trip wasn’t ideal. “We always knew he wanted further, but we had to take our chance. He couldn’t go the early pace, but once the hill came into play, he was unstoppable.” Jockey Nico de Boinville, securing his 50th Grade One win, said: “I had to sit and suffer early on—he just couldn’t go the gallop. But once I let him roll up the hill, he flew.”
With a Grade One win now on his record, Jango Baie has stamped himself as a serious contender for bigger targets ahead.
On Style Wednesday, the elegance and glamour of Cheltenham Festival come alive, in a day that celebrates both the thrill of racing and the art of fashion.
