Live News from Champion Day

RACE 7 RESULTS

5.30pm WellChild National Hunt Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase (Grade 2) 3m6f
1  Gaillard Du Mesnil 10/11F
2  Chemical Energy 8/1
3  Mister Coffey 11/1

10 ran
Distances: 2¾, 12
Time: 7m 59.62s

8th winner at The Festival for jockey Patrick Mullins
90th winner at The Festival for trainer Willie Mullins

THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. PRESTBURY CUP STANDINGS
Ireland 5
Great Britain 2

Winning quotes

Willie Mullins: “John McConnell’s horse (Mahler Mission) was very unlucky, but I saw his horse and rider getting up so that was a good result. I was sitting having a cup of tea at the time and I thought this was over. I couldn’t see him winning until the other horse fell then he got a run going to the last. He was very fortunate for us on the day but you need a bit of luck. The ground must be dead enough but he didn’t pick up the way he can pick up. It nice to have a winner here for Joe and Marie Donnelly. I’m going to get home from here and look at both races (Grand National and Irish Grand National). Normally we would go back to Punchestown with a horse like this but that was a tough race and it might take him a while to get over it. The Irish Grand National and the Grand National might come too soon.”

Patrick Mullins, winning jockey on Gaillard Du Mesnil (10-11 Favourite), said: “When I went out I said to myself that I’ve got the fastest horse in the race, my worry was that we’d run twice over two and a half miles from the front, so I wanted to drop out and get him settled.

“He was quite high over the white fences early on and he was just giving them a lot of air, so I just tried to keep him relaxed and then when we’ve turned up the hill I’ve looked up and seen Mahler Mission clear. We’d gone quick and my thought was that we’re going to have to try and catch him at the finish line rather than catch him at the second last. It worked out in the end so it was great.

“We’d gone quick the first mile and bearing in mind it’s a testing three mile six, I had to believe he was coming back to us. I was more worried about Jamie (Codd, on Chemical Energy). He missed the last and that just gave me the advantage. He’s very tough and I know people have said he hasn’t won a lot but he’s been running in Grade One races.

“We schooled him over white fences at home and he was quite high over them. In this big race you want them popping and not expending all that energy, but after the first lap he got lower so it was great.

“He’s shown he stays very well and looking at the white fences early on he was very high but the further he went the better he jumped. He’s a fabulous jumper and he’ll be made for a National.

“I’m not sure anyone has won this race four times! More often than not I’m riding the best horse in the race so it’s just good to get the job done. The Kim Muir is the one I need to tick off though! Jamie (Codd) needs the Foxhunters and I need the Kim Muir so I’m racing him to it!

“I’m riding Mr Incredible on Thursday, he’s a bit quirky and he’s got top weight but if he puts his best foot forward he’s a right chance.”

RACE 6 RESULTS

4.50pm Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m½f
1  Jazzy Matty 18/1
2  Byker 6/1
3  Risk Belle 10/1
4  Sundial 18/1

21 ran NR: Morning Soldier
Distances: nk, nse
Time: 4m 9.48s

2nd winner at The Festival for jockey Michael O’Sullivan
35th winner at The Festival for trainer Gordon Elliott

THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. PRESTBURY CUP STANDINGS
Ireland 4
Great Britain 2

Winning quotes

Gordon Elliott: “I’m delighted. We knew he had a good enough mark coming over, we just thought he might lack experience. It’s great to get a winner, I thought I might struggle for a winner today to be honest, I thought I might have a few each-way chances.”

On the jockey, he said: “He’s a great fella. He doesn’t get that many rides for us. But he comes into the yard every Monday, never says anything, if I give him a ride, I give him a ride. I actually thought he claimed 5lb and I put him down on the horse. I only realised yesterday afternoon that he claimed 3lb, so I think he’s lucky as if I’d copped it, it might not have happened. He gave the horse a brilliant ride. He was slow at the last and didn’t panic. He was good. He is riding with confidence, absolutely delighted with him. He’s from good stock, the O’Sullivans down in Cork.

“Andy and Gemma [Brown owners] are lovely people, they’re from Chester. They have a lot of horses in Cullentra, they’re nice people and investing a lot of money in the game so it’s great for them to have a Cheltenham winner.”

Joey Logan, racing manager to owners Andrew and Gemma Brown: “I’m absolutely delighted. We were worried about the ground but we were very excited. The horse is named after Andrew and Gemma’s son Matt. It is special and as it is their first winner at the Festival so I’m delighted. We knew he would stay and we are over the moon. He is a big horse and he is a half-brother to Delta Work so whatever he does over hurdles is just a bonus. The cheek pieces just kept him interested and they definitely worked. His last couple of runs were frustrating but the ground wasn’t right for him at all but he is such a big horse. Luckily enough it has worked out today. It is brilliant to get a winner on the first day so everything else is a bonus. We will take it as it comes as regards to what we do with him next season and see what Gordon says. We will give it a good go celebrating tonight.”

After a few near misses earlier on the card, Gordon Elliott finally found himself in the winner's circle after 18-1 chance Jazzy Matty got the better of three way battle for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

The four-year-old, partnered by conditional rider Michael O'Sullivan, edged out Byker and Risk Belle close home to score by a neck and a nose respectively.

Elliott said:" That's better as we had hit the crossbar a few times earlier and the horse has done well to win as he was stuck out a bit wider than was ideal in a tight race like that, but thankfully it made no difference in the end. "There is every chance he will now go to Aintree as i think that course will suit him even better."

Michael O’Sullivan: “It’s unbelievable. Thanks very much to Gordon and the Browns for putting me on him, it’s a great leap of faith for them. I’m claiming 5lb in Ireland and I’m only claiming 3lb over here, so I’ve probably lost a couple of rides in handicaps because of that. In fairness to Gordon, he kept me on him and he had a nice light weight. He got a bit of a fright at the first hurdle and was just very careful after that. I thought we went very slow, he’s a big horse I just gave him plenty of room and he travelled everywhere for me. I knew coming to the last that I was wrong, but I didn’t want to go confusing him as he was actually being careful up until then. I was confident enough that I had plenty of horse left. I would say he won with a bit in hand. He’s a nice horse going forward.
“I felt I was always getting there. I lost a lot of momentum at the last, and for him to pick up up the hill again on that ground, he was very good.”

He added: “Dad is amazing. I suppose I grew up listening to stories of him riding and how good he was. He rode a Festival winner and was a very accomplished amateur. In fairness to Dad, he never pushed me too much. But he always, when he saw I had interest, gave me every opportunity. He drove me all over the country and spent a lot of money sending me eventing and showjumping. He just put a lot of time into me and it’s great that it’s paying off.

“He’s been a massive help since I started riding. I suppose I’m at an advantage in that I can talk to him after a race, or before a race, and he can tell me what I’m doing wrong. I’m lucky I have him there and he’s very supportive. It’s a great day.”

RACE 5 RESULTS

4.10pm Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
1  Honeysuckle 9/4JF
2  Love Envoi 11/1
3  Queens Brook 16/1

9 ran NR: Midnight Ginger (vet's certificate)
Distances: 1½, 4¼
Time: 5m 5.13s

13th winner at The Festival for jockey Rachael Blackmore
18th winner at The Festival for trainer Henry de Bromhead
5th winner at The Festival for owner Kenny Alexander

THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. PRESTBURY CUP STANDINGS
Ireland 3 
Great Britain 2

Media Quotes

Racing TV, Rachael Blackmore on Honeysuckle’s win earlier today: “To get to walk back in here, into the winner’s enclosure to that reception, it was so special. It doesn’t always end in a fairytale like that, but it did for her. It's a very special day.

“She’s been phenomenal for the whole team of us involved, for Henry, for me, for Kenny, for everyone involved in her, she’s just been sensational. You dream of being involved with something like this – to get to come to Cheltenham for the last few years and to have Honeysuckle to ride, that’s what a jockey wants. That’s just dream stuff. I feel so lucky that I got to ride her the first day she ran and to stay on her.”

On the conversations that happened after the Dublin Racing Festival, she said: “There were different opinions and so on, but ultimately Henry is a trainer and he wants to train winners at Cheltenham. His view was to aim her at the best race so we could walk back into the winner’s enclosure. I’m so glad he is an exceptional trainer, because if she ran half an hour beforehand, it wouldn’t have been the same, we wouldn’t have got to the number one spot, looking at the horse in that. Fair play to Henry for giving me and Honeysuckle and all of us the chance to celebrate her one more time.

“I felt her really try to hold onto second in Leopardstown. She’s always tried, even when we landed at the last in the Hatton’s Grace, for a second I thought, ‘she’s going to go again’. She’s trying all the time. She’s an incredible mare and Kenny Alexander is one of the coolest owners you’ll ever ride for. It’s a weight off the shoulders.”

On the reception she received on the walk back, she said: “It’s the people – people are just unbelievable. The receptions she’s got, from Fairyhouse to Leopardstown to here, it’s an amazing feeling to be the centre of that. You feel the centre of it when you’re on the back of Honeysuckle walking in. It’s directed at you. It’s incredible. The people just make it so special.

“She’s been an amazing thing for my career. Not every jockey gets the chance to link up with something like her, so I feel very lucky. So, so lucky.”

Speaking to BBC News, Henry de Bromhead said: “So many emotions (were going through my mind), it was ridiculous. It’s brilliant and she’s just such an incredible mare, we feel so privileged and lucky to have had anything to do with her. It just meant so much, you dream of a fairy-tale ending and it doesn’t normally happen, but it has here and she’s read the script.

“I’m pretty sure (it’s her final race), it’s not my call but I’m 99% sure. I’d prefer Kenny (Alexander) to say for sure though as he’s the owner. I’m pretty sure that’s it though and to go out like that is incredible.

“It’s just a massive result. We know Jack is always with us and I’m sure he was here on Rachael (Blackmore)’s shoulder. Honeysuckle has been a huge part of our life and Jack just adored her – so she as much did it for him as she did for all of us.

“Rachael and Honey are two divas together and I’m going to keep saying that now as it really annoys Rachael! The two divas together. Rachael is class and she gave her a super ride. She’s an amazing lady and I’m very lucky to have her.”

Winning quotes

Henry de Bromhead: “It’s just incredible. I am just so happy for the mare, and for Rachael, and for all of us, Kenny… You dream of the fairytale ending, but so often it doesn’t happen. This is what she deserves. She is just an unbelievable mare, and I’m just delighted. I think in fairness, we’ve obviously had a terrible year with Jack and everything, and just the support people have given us… Most of it [the cheers as Honeysuckle came into the winner’s enclosure] is for Honey, because she has been so unbelievable, but everyone has shown us so much support. We’re really grateful for that - it’s been an incredibly tough time, and you dream that these kind of things will happen, but more often than not they don’t, so it’s amazing.
“This sport is mental. This the result I think everybody wanted, but you daren’t believe it will happen. She’s incredible, everyone’s incredible - Rachael, Kenny, Peter Molony. We are so lucky to have had her.
“She’s been tipping away - she’s been in great form all year, but thankfully we picked the right race, when you see the other lad in the Champion Hurdle. There’s a big team behind her and we’re delighted.
“Jumping the last I thought Love Envoi might be gone on us, but - I used to say she never knows when she’s beaten; she rarely knows when she is beaten - she read the script.
“Any day you win a Grade One is an amazing day and any day you win a Grade One at Cheltenham is an amazing day. It’s an incredible day in the sense that she’s going out like she is.

Rachael Blackmore: “I knew I’d pick up again after the last but she is just an unbelievable mare. It is incredible what she has done for me, but it is incredible what she has done for all of us. You dream of being involved with something like her. It is just amazing and fair play to Henry he has done such an unbelievable job. What a way to be able to walk back in the winner’s enclosure today. I feel extremely lucky to have teamed up with her throughout my career.
“You come to Cheltenham with Honeysuckle to ride and every jockey dreams of having the likes of her to go to Cheltenham with. She has given us so much and I’m so grateful to her. It will be different without her here next year.”     

Kenny Alexander, owner of Honeysuckle (9-4 Joint Favourite), commented: “She hasn’t been running badly and I’ve kept saying that, she’s just not quite as good as she was last year. I’ve never said that she’s the greatest champion hurdler ever – and the winner of the last race may well turn out to be that – but I think she’s got to be one of the bravest. She’s got guts beyond belief and a tremendous winning attitude. She’s incredibly talented and today was just amazing, she had to tough it out but it was amazing.

“I’m really happy for Henry and his family getting that one on the board, it’s a tremendous day. This is just a horse race and you can’t really compare things that happen outside of it, but I’m happy that they can have a nice bit of enjoyment today and Henry and his wife Heather loved it. This is just a horse race and a bit of fun, it’s not real life really, but that was a great race and a great day.

“She’s retired now and I’ve had an absolute blast owning her. I’m lost for words to be honest, the celebration was out of control. If you can’t lose it a bit after winning a race like that though, you probably shouldn’t own racehorses!

“It just shows you how great the sport is when she’s getting a cheer like that. They don’t love me, that’s for sure! They may love Rachael and even Henry a bit, but they really love that horse.”

Kenny Alexander: “I’ve said before I just wanted to win for them and we did it. I’m so happy for him, his family and the stable. This guy is an amazing trainer and he is also a top, top bloke – that’s the main thing.”

Henry de Bromhead: “It's a fairytale ending, it’s what you dream of happening. More often than not it doesn’t but today it has, so it’s incredible. It means a lot to all of us.

“She’s just an incredible mare, she’s awesome. We’ve had so much fun with her and got to know a great man as well. We are very lucky to have had her.”

Other quotes

Harry Fry, trainer of second placed Love Envoi: "She has run her heart out but has been beaten by a legend of a mare. All being well we will head to Punchestown at the end of April as there is nothing else for her."

Gordon Elliott, trainer of third placed Queens Brook: "Plans are fluid for her but she has run a cracker behind two very good mares. We will talk it over with the owners and take it from there."

RACE 4 RESULTS

3.30pm Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m ½f

1  Constitution Hill 4/11F

2  State Man 7/2

3  Zanahiyr 66/1

7 ran

Distances: 9, 4

Time: 3m 59.38s

16^th winner at The Festival for jockey Nico de Boinville

73^rd winner at The Festival for trainer Nicky Henderson

7^th winner at The Festival for owner Michael Buckley

Record-extending ninth Unibet Champion Hurdle for trainer Nicky Henderson after See You Then (1985, 1986 and 1987), Punjabi (2009), Binocular (2010), Buveur D’Air (2017 & 2018) and Epatante (2020).

Constitution Hill is the shortest-priced winner ever of the Unibet Champion Hurdle

THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. PRESTBURY CUP STANDINGS

Ireland 2

Great Britain 2

ITV quotes

Winning jockey Nico de Boinville told ITV Racing: “What a horse, just absolutely delighted. I didn’t think we were on much going into the last I thought he was just going to go in and pop, but he’s come up out of my hands – he had loads left! He’s given me a terrific spin. I’m delighted for Michael and Islay, the ‘Guvnor’ has done a fantastic job, Sean who rides him every day, Jaydon who looks after him, and everyone at Seven Barrows.
“On a personal level, it’s been a dream of mine to get the big three (Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase & Cheltenham Gold Cup) and delighted that I’ve achieved it.
“I could feel them all coming to two out, but he’s just winged every single hurdle. It’s just a matter of when you push the button. This ground is really dead and hard work, and I didn’t want to get going too soon. He’s won hard held and anyone who backed him for 10 lengths or more, I apologise!
“What State Man has been doing in Ireland I think that just proves how good he (Constitution Hill) is, they’ve all come to beat him today.”
On whether the owner would suggest chasing for the future, he said: “I love having Michael as an owner, he’s one of those maverick characters who is willing to do anything, always try something new. I know for sure that the Governor will be up for it as well.”
Responding to the question of whether Constitution Hill is the best hurdler ever seen, he said: “I don’t know, I wasn’t around to see all those [other names] – just shows your age, Matt! He’s an exceptional horse, I only know this horse and he’s an absolute superstar.”

Winning trainer Nicky Henderson told ITV Racing: “He is just an extraordinary horse. You can’t believe at this stage of his life that he is doing things like that – it’s crackers, really. He is just remarkable. Truly remarkable. Nico is great, he’s a cool boy, isn’t he? It never worried him.

“You always worry something has gone wrong or you haven’t done enough of this and that or the other, and he hasn’t run since Christmas. Michael has been great, we’ve sort of sweated away. Of course there’s pressure on and all you guys here. It’s always fun, but underneath it, it’s not quite as much fun as you think it is – when it’s over, I promise you it is!”

The successful owner Michael Buckley told ITV Racing: “I’m feeling relaxed, I’m shaky, I’d like to thank Nicky and all his team to produce this horse this way, and Nico obviously rides him so well. I’d like to thank all the fans and people who love this sport, because they’ve taken this horse to their heart and it’s very touching, I must say.”

Winning quotes

Barry Geraghty: “That was my scariest moment at Cheltenham. I’ve been fine all the way then 15 minutes before the race it started hitting me. I don’t normally get anxious but I watched the race with Nicky, Sophie and Michael and that was magic. There was relief with every jump. He is brilliant at what he does but he is just so special. To see the crowds here shows that everyone has brought into him and he keeps delivering. There is no doubt he is very special but he is very special to everyone connected with him. I’ve had my kids all ride him at home and that is both unusual and different. It is surreal to watch him play with the opposition how he does. He is a real natural. He is trained by a genius and ridden by one too. Nico kept it so simple and that is not always the easiest thing to do at Cheltenham. He went out with a plan and he has stuck with it. It was a piece of magic.”

Nico de Boinville: “We always had a plan just to do that, and then you could go backwards and forwards according to how you wanted to do it - you just didn’t want to get into trouble. I wasn’t quite sure what the Willie Mullins camp were going to do; it was interesting to me when Vauban lined up, and I thought, ‘oh, right’, and then I saw State Man was tracking me. Sam Twiston-Davies set some lovely fractions [on I Like To Move It] there so I could just stop-start, stop-start, because his jumping took me there all the time, and I could use the hills to fill him up again. I didn’t see one at the last, but he did, so… I had visions of Annie Power! But I thought, ‘well done, he knows better than me’, but in actual fact he was on his hocks and so was able to elevate up and out of it. He was foot-perfect all the way.
“The past year has been great. Obviously you wanted to get through all the preliminary races - the Fighting Fifth, we had a great reception up there, then the Christmas Hurdle. And in actual fact two weeks before coming into this I decided to switch off [all media] - it was just white noise and it was just getting ridiculous, everyone was talking about it. We thought we’d just focus on ourselves and on what was going on at Seven Barrows. Sean who rides him every day has done a fantastic job, the guvnor [Nicky Henderson] has got him in great order. I think he has proved to everyone what a fabulous racehorse he is.
“I’m absolutely delighted for Michael [Buckley]; he’s got a fabulous racehorse on his hands and he has put so much into the game. He’s a maverick owner in that he will try new things and will try anything, so where we go now, I don’t know.
“He could do anything - I’m sure we will try him over a fence at some point. I guess we don’t want to pigeon-hole him just as a hurdler; he could be anything. I think he’d be good over a fence. As racing fans, that’s what we want to see. I find in recent years horses have tended to get pigeon-holed too much, bar Faugheen. It could be interesting, and he’s still so young.
“All those horses [Sprinter Sacre, Altior and Coneygree] are fantastic in their own right and they belong in their own era. I don’t like to do that [compare them and decide on a ‘best’], and this is my first Champion Hurdler and my first top, top two-mile hurdler. Today he was fantastic and I don’t think anything would get anywhere near him.
“It was all very smooth today. You saw him - as soon as he got to the front, he pricked his ears and said, ‘come on, let’s go, go and do the business.’. He’s so straightforward and these Blue Bresils, they seem to bring that element of attitude to the game. He takes it all in his stride - he’s so relaxed.
“I love watching Nicky with any of his horses. He’s an absolute master of getting them to peak at any time; I just love being in the yard and enjoying the ride. It’s fantastic to watch him, knowing that I could never do that or have that intuition or instinct. I just try to enjoy it and relax.”

Michael Buckley: “I first came here when I was 19 when the three big races were the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup and I never thought I’d own a horse let alone have runner in this or have a winner in this. I can’t say I’ve had a better day on the racecourse ever. I think probably not (going to Ireland) this year. It is a rare year in that such a nice long gap between here and Aintree. Maybe we will think about that another day. 

Nicky Henderson: “He can be very long. You can do anything with this horse. You could jump a fence, you could go three miles. He has had six races now and has barely come off the bridle, but it won’t last forever so let’s enjoy it while we have got it. Sprinter did amazing things for us and the emotion behind him for his comeback was unbelievable. This horse has got into those echelons after six races. It is an extraordinary thing to happen but he is an extraordinary horse. I said to Nico let’s keep it as simple as you possibly can and he did.
“I’ve watery eyes, I always have had and I always will have but that would bring a tear to most eyes when you see a horse quite like that as I think that is pretty unique. I had 12 months of them (anxious moments) but that is our life. I think as it gets closer and closer you get even more anxious. Have you done this or have you done that. There is a brilliant team behind him and they have done fantastic. We all know the last few weeks are horrible. I hope I’ve not been too bad but they have been brilliant behind us. One of these comes around in a lifetime. You have got to have a lot of horses to find one of these. That is only the sixth race of his life and he is doing that now. We have had some wonderful days with Sprinter Sacre in particular. This horse is going to extraordinary levels at the moment and we are lucky to be the custodian of him but a lot of responsibility goes with it.”

Other quotes

Gordon Elliott said of third placed Zanahiyr: "It was a great run to finish third behind a horse like the winner. There is a good chance he could go to Aintree and step back up to two and a half miles next month.

"He was still in with a big chance at that meeting last year but unluckily fell at the last hurdle. It would be great to see him make amends."

Rich Ricci, owner of fourth home Vauban: "I think we might have been third but we tried to win the race and in the end we had no chance as he (the winner) is very, very good."

Willie Mullins, trainer of the runner-up State Man (7-2) and the fourth-placed Vauban (16-1), commented: “We ran very well, we’ve just met a proper champion hurdler so we’ve no excuses. Well done to Nicky (Henderson) and Michael (Buckley) and all the team. Nico (de Boinville) gave him a brave man’s ride, he had the confidence he was on the best horse and that was the race he rode – I’m delighted for all connections.”

RACE 3 RESULTS

2.50pm Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m1f

1  Corach Rambler 6/1 JF

2  Fastorslow 7/1

3  Monbeg Genius 6/1 JF

4  The Goffer 7/1

23 ran

Distances: nk, 2l, 8½l

Time: 6m 30.55s

2nd winner at The Festival for jockey Derek Fox

3rd winner at The Festival for trainer Lucinda Russell

Corach Rambler becomes the fourth dual winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase after Sentina (1957, 1958), Scot Lane (1982, 1983) and Un Temps Pour Tout (2016, 2017).

THE CRAFT IRISH WHISKEY CO. PRESTBURY CUP STANDINGS

Ireland 2

Great Britain 1

ITV quotes

Winning jockey Derek Fox told ITV Racing: “He’s just a tremendous horse, he travelled a lot easier today than he did last year even. I found myself at the back three out and I thought I was going to hit the front early on him. Peter Scudamore came over to me before the race and just said, ‘ride him with plenty of confidence and do the same as last year – don’t change anything too much’. He always fills me with great confidence when he gives me instructions that I can do my own thing and ride it as I find it.

“He’s a marvellous horse, the yard favourite really. He’s the horse of a lifetime. I can’t believe it.”

Asked whether it was fun to ride like that, he said: “You need a lot of things to go right when you commit to dropping back towards the back early. But a horse like this, he just makes it easy because he keeps taking you there. It suits his running style. Lucinda Russell has been brilliant to me. He’s owned by a great syndicate. It’s thanks to Lucinda and Scu for the opportunities they give me, I’m just over the moon.”

Winning quotes

Reflecting on how close he is to the horse at home, Peter Scudamore, partner of winning trainer Lucinda Russell, told ITV Racing: “He is an extraordinary character, you can see in everything about him. Is he more of a character than any other? I don’t know. But it is truly humbling. This means… I can’t explain it.”

On Derek Fox, he added: “People ride in different styles, he’s more like Fitzy (Mick Fitzgerald) and I than he is in you (Sir AP McCoy) in style. I’m not being mean to Derek, when he first came to us he couldn’t read, he learnt to read off text messages on his phone, but he has always had an innate sense of a horse – he’s highly intelligent when he gets on a horse and he uses it. He reads now, we joke about books and stuff, he’s a highly intelligent man.”

Derek Fox: “Peter Scudamore said to me half an hour before the race to ride him something similar to last year and not to change anything and to keep nice and patient on him all the way. He always fills me with so much confidence and he gives me instructions as he understands the game so well. The horse was on absolute spot on form. Lucinda took the horse to Carlisle a few weeks ago after racing and he worked really well. He travelled so beautifully all the way through the race. It was unbelievable and I’m just delighted. Last year it was better ground and he was always in top gear until late on when he got going. This year with the ground being that good bit slower he travelled so much easier. He is slightly idle in front and I found myself coming down the hill thinking not to go to the front too soon on him and it just worked out beautifully. It is a pleasure to ride him. He picked up after the last then just 10 strides before the line I was hoping there was nothing going to come as he started to look at the crowd and stuff. He is a tremendous horse and has been a marvellous horse to me to get two winners here along with all the other races he has won along the way. I feel very lucky to be riding him as he is a very talented horse. Thanks to Lucinda and Scu for giving me these opportunities. I’m really looking forward to that now (Grand National). He stays well and I think he will run a massive race in that. I’m just delighted with today.
“He has been lightly raced since last year’s race but he finished a good fourth at Newbury in the Coral Gold Cup and I thought a repeat of that run was more than good enough. Lucinda had him in great order today and it all worked out really well. I think the slower ground made the race open up easier and I found the gaps easier. He is just a tremendous horse and I feel very lucky to be riding him.”

Lucinda Russell: “As emotional as Scu and I are, the horse isn’t emotional. He just loves it round here. It’s phenomenal. It’s funny - I was so nervous beforehand because the horse means so much and everyone knows that, but Scu and I went in to speak to Derek [Foxx], and he was so calm and cool. He said he’d just ride the same as last year - it’s just amazing.”

Peter Scudamore: “He’s so good at these hold-up tactics, Derek, and he just doesn’t panic in any way, shape or form.”

Lucinda Russell: “He’s got a brilliant mind. I think the horse has got quite an interesting mind, but I thought he travelled a bit better relatively close to the pace this time. I am just so proud of him today and so pleased for Scu. To hear that he’s favourite for the Grand National is amazing.”

Other quotes

Jonjo O'Neill said of third placed Monbeg Genius:" He ran a cracker and I could not be more pleased with him, except of course, if he had won. He could now go for the Scottish National next month at Ayr but that will be ground dependent as he has to have soft ground.

"If it was on the quick side at Ayr he would not run and we would put him away for this season with a tilt at the Aintree Grand National next Spring at the forefront of our minds."

Gordon Elliott said of fourth placed The Goffer:"He keeps on galloping as he showed there and with that in mind the obvious place to go with him will be the Irish National at Fairyhouse over the Easter holiday as long as he comes out of this race in good heart."

Martin Brassil, trainer of the runner-up Fastorslow, said: “We’re thrilled with the run, he was really thrown in the deep end on his first run in a handicap and he really equipped himself well and jumped great. We found out quite a bit about him today, he got the trip well and jumped super. We may have bumped into the Grand National winner there as you say, but I’ve a lad at home who will give him something to do! (Longhouse Poet)”

RACE 1 RESULTS

1.30pm Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y    

1  Marine Nationale 9/2

2  Facile Vega 9/4F

3  Diverge 25/1

Distances:  3¼, 2¾ 

Time: 3m 59.69s

14 ran

1^st winner at The Festival for jockey Mr Michael O’Sullivan

1^st winner at The Festival as a trainer for Barry Connell

3^rd winner at The Festival as an owner for Barry Connell

Winning quotes

Barry Connell: How do you think it feels? Best feeling of all time! I put a lot of pressure on myself, saying he was the best horse I’ve ever had. He’s very, very quick. He’s unlike any other horse we’ve had before - they were mainly stayers, the G1 horses - this is a quick horse, he’s probably a G1 horse on the Flat, and we might get around to that at some stage. But today was his day. He’s had five runs and won all five. His jockey is a superstar. My staff are the best staff anywhere in the world - they’ve made the whole operation and I’d like to say a fantastic thanks to all the staff.
“I put huge pressure on myself. I came over on the boat and every Irish person was on the boat. I told them all to back the two horses, I said they were the two best novice horses in Ireland, so at least I’m off the hook, partially. Or I would have had to put on a disguise going home if we’d got beat!
“We’ve got about 25 horses at home riding out, and another 15 in the system, so maybe about 40 in total. A lot of them are young horses; we’re a start-up operation and we’ve only had the licence two and a half years. We bought the farm five years ago and put the facilities and staff in place, and it’s only this year it’s beginning to bear fruit. About half the yard haven’t run yet. This one is a six-year-old, the guy tomorrow is a seven-year-old. We give them plenty of time; they are big units, you can’t rush them, you have to let them come to you, and we’re absolutely blessed to have found the next superstar of the weighing-room in Michael O’Sullivan. You mark his name. Did you ever see a cooler ride in Cheltenham? Unbelieveable.
“I’m been talking this horse up because it’s what we’re seeing it at home, the bits of work they’re doing, what he’s shown in his bumpers. The Royal Bond didn’t work out for him - it went against him, and the one thing we learnt in the Royal Bond is what he finds off the bridle, because he was never off the bridle in his life before. He put his neck down, the jockey didn’t panic, gathered him up and got him balanced. Look, he’s got every attribute you want. I’ve said before, if you want to win a G1 in Cheltenham, you need four attributes. You need a quick horse - it’s an undulating track, a tight track, and you want to be able to hold his position. You want to be a very good jumper. You want a very good temperament, which he has, you saw him walking round the paddock like a sheepdog beforehand. Plus you need guts, stamina to stay up the hill, and he’s got all them in spades.
“I enjoy it [training horses as well as owning them] about 150% more. I rode into the winner’s enclosure here twice at the November meeting, and winning as an owner pales into insignficance besides that. This is unreal because all year round I enjoy the process of getting out of the car in the morning and just being with the horses. I love being with the horses, going round the yard, going out on to the gallops, talking to the staff. This is the icing on the cake. The whole process is what I love, you know. It really energises me. I source all these horses and have a staff of 11 people - they are exceptional, and I hope we are only just beginning the journey now.
“I think we’ll come back here for the Arkle next year. Those are my initial thoughts at this period in time, but today is for enjoying today. He’s put him out in a field and then make an entry for Punchestown.
“I got him from Sam Curling during Covid. He had him as a young horse and was going to run him point to points but all the point to points were called off, so we got one of our riders to ride him, liked him and bought him.
“He’s got a funny pedigree - his sire French Navy is in India now. We made an enquiry about getting him back, but I don’t think the owner wants to sell him.
“Michael O’Sullivan was champion novice point to point rider. He hasn’t come from the flapping pony racing field, he’s come from proper horsemen. And he’s a thinker, a very smart guy. He’s got his university degree already. He’s 22, he’s not a kid, and I have no problem him not being able to claim - he doesn’t need his claim. I never thought in any circumstances about putting a more experienced jockey on. If you gave me any jockey, I wouldn’t swap him.

O’Sullivan said: “It went quite nicely really. We jumped off and I thought we went quite quick to the first then we steadied up and we went steady enough but that suited me as my horse is quick. I found myself in a nice position, perhaps a bit wider than I would have liked, but I was happy with the room as he hasn’t got a lot of experience. I followed Facile Vega and he jumped very well and travelled very well. At the bottom of the hill I was just holding on and saving him. Paul (Townend) had kicked on Facile Vega but I was happy that he would come back to me. He had a good look at the last and popped over it. He actually won very snuggly. 

“He is better on better ground and it was an unbelievable performance. He is not even having a blow there. I suppose when I saw the weather this morning it was drying out and I was hoping his ability would get him through and it did. It wasn’t as bad as Fairyhouse and I was quietly confident in the horse’s ability and he did show that. His jumping is going to get better and he didn’t really put a foot wrong but he was still hanging in the air. He wasn’t as quick through the air as I would like over two miles but I think on better ground he would be. He is a very good jumper and he is clever with his feet. He is a really intelligent horse in general. If you see him walking around the parade ring you would say he is at home. He is just an amazing horse and I’m so lucky to be involved in him. You could talk to him he is so smart. I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was a kid. I suppose it is surreal and it won’t sink in. This year has been so good. I suppose it is hard to appreciate it and it is hard to be topped but I’m enjoying every minute of it. I was coming here with a good book of rides and to win the first one it takes the pressure off. The horse is incredible and it is easy riding a horse like that with plenty of confidence. We didn’t go overly quick. I was in a fine position and we were comfortable. I’m very lucky to be on his back. 

“I’ve been riding in races since I was very young so I’ve plenty of experience and I’m confident enough in my own ability without being over confident and I’m riding good horses for good people and that makes it a lot easier. You could nearly say the Supreme is the biggest race of the week as it is the first I’m very lucky and it is a great thrill.”

Winning owner-trainer Barry Connell told ITV Racing: “I put my neck above the parapet about six months ago before the Royal Bond and said this was an absolute weapon. We’ve had stayers before, but we’ve never had a horse as quick as this. I knew coming into the race we had the best horse in the race, the best rider in the race. Everything worked out according to plan and we are coming back here for a double tomorrow.”

On his jockey, Michael O’Sullivan, Connell added: “He’s unreal, he’s a future star.”

On his own journey in racing, Connell said: “I was involved in owning horses then took a licence out and rode for 10 years. I was lucky enough to ride two winners at the November meeting here and I thought I would never surpass the buzz of that, but this beats it today, I tell you!”

Winning Michael O’Sullivan told ITV Racing: “[It feels] unbelievable, a massive relief. I’m just so, so lucky to get on this horse and that Barry Connell put his faith in me. All his team at home, they work so hard and really welcomed me in there.

“We’re having an amazing season, I don’t think it can be topped. The horse is just incredible. I turned in and I wasn’t sure what I was holding onto, but by God he actually won easy.

“Days like this is what I was dreaming of since I was riding ponies when I was three, four years of age. My father, my grandmother and my mother, all my family, they have been so supportive of me. To get a day like this…

On Barry’s faith in the horse and telling everyone he would win, he added: “He did. He put his chest out, and he was right.”

Other quotes

Sam Twiston-Davies (Rare Edition, PU): “Disappointing, so pulled up safe and sound. There will be another day”

Rachael Blackmore (Inthepocket, 4^th): “He ran very well, that was him today.”

Patrick Mullins (Diverge, 3^rd): “Ran a cracker, settled really well, jumped super and stayed all the way to the line. The next time I’d probably ride him more forward, but lots to look forward to.”

Ger O’Brien, part-owner (Hammer and Trowel Syndicate) of Facile Vega (9-4 favourite, placed second), said: “He ran well and there was no hard luck stories – we got beaten by a better horse on the day. When that happens you’ve just got to hold your hands up and shake hands with the winner and move on.

“Paul said that once the winner came alongside he was more or less cooked and the winner sprinted away from him. It was a three and a quarter length win so there’s no hard luck stories there.

“I watched him closely and everything seemed to go right for him, so 100% no hard luck stories. It’s a little bit early to be making decisions here but I’m sure Willie (Mullins, trainer) will have a think about where we go from here. Whatever Willie decides I’m sure we’ll go along with.”

Paul Townend commented on the runner-up Facile Vega (9-4 Favourite): “He ran well.”

Patrick Mullins said of the third-placed Diverge: “He ran a cracker. He settled really well and jumped super and stayed on really well to the line. The next time I can probably ride him a bit cooler but lots to look forward to.”

Aidan Coleman, rider of unplaced Chasing Fire -"It's very holding ground as it is starting to dry out and hence sticky"

Sam Twiston-Davies, rider of unplaced Rare Edition- "soft and dead with very little life in it"

J J Slevin, rider of unplaced High Definition- "it's dead and very much hard work"