More than 60,000 racegoers enjoyed Day One of the Cheltenham Festival today – including standout performances from two of Jump racing’s superstars.
Constitution Hill landed a first Unibet Champion Hurdle 12 months after winning the Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle in 2022, while Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore were roared on to a thrilling victory in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle by a crowd of 60,284.
Ian Renton, The Jockey Club’s Managing Director for the West Region, said: “Constitution Hill’s performance in the Unibet Champion Hurdle was one which will live long in the memory for all those who were lucky enough to join us on Day One of The Festival this year.
“We were then incredibly fortunate to witness Honeysuckle’s victory in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle just 40 minutes later and the receptions that both horses received coming back into the winners’ enclosure were very special moments in The Festival’s history.
“We now look forward to Festival Wednesday and seven more thrilling races, including our feature, the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.”
Cheltenham Racecourse confirmed that after a fall in the last race of the day, Malinello was attended to by the on-course veterinary team.
A spokesperson said: “Sadly Malinello sustained an injury in the final race of the day. He was attended to by the experienced on-course veterinary team and assessed immediately, but very sadly passed away. Our thoughts are with all his connections.”
THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. LEADING JOCKEY AWARD
STANDINGS AFTER DAY 1
Jockey 1st 2nd 3rd
Mr Michael O’Sullivan 2 - -
Paul Townend 1 2 -
Mr Patrick Mullins 1 - 1
Rachael Blackmore 1 - -
Nico de Boinville 1 - -
Derek Fox 1 - -
Jonathan Burke - 1 -
Mr Jamie Codd - 1 -
Philip Byrnes - 1 -
Aidan Coleman - 1 -
JJ Slevin - 1 -
Luke Dempsey - - 1
Danny Mullins - - 1
Mr Derek O’Connor - - 1
Jonjo O’Neill Jr - - 1
Davy Russell - - 1
Mark Walsh - - 1
THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. LEADING TRAINER AWARD
STANDINGS AFTER DAY 1
Trainer 1st 2nd 3rd
Willie Mullins IRE 2 2 3
Gordon Elliott IRE 1 1 2
Nicky Henderson 1 1 1
Henry de Bromhead IRE 1 - -
Barry Connell IRE 1 - -
Lucinda Russell 1 - -
Martin Brassil IRE - 1 -
Charles Byrnes IRE - 1 -
Harry Fry - 1 -
Jonjo O’Neill - - 1
THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. LEADING OWNER AWARD
STANDINGS AFTER DAY 1
Owner 1st 2nd 3rd
Caldwell Construction 1 1 -
Marie Donnelly 1 1 -
Kenny Alexander 1 - -
Michael Buckley 1 - -
Barry Connell 1 - -
Simon Munir/Isaac Souede 1 - -
The Ramblers 1 - -
JP McManus - 1 2
Noel Fehily Racing - 1 -
Relicpride Partnership - 1 -
Sean & Bernadine Mulryan - 1 -
Hammer & Trowel Syndicate - 1 -
Bective Stud - - 2
Lady & Alice Bamford - - 1
Barrownman Racing Ltd - - 1
Chris Jones - - 1
THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. PRESTBURY CUP STANDINGS AFTER DAY 1
Ireland 5
Great Britain 2
