2016 Cheltenham Festival Day One LIVE!
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | March 15, 2016
17:50 Close of play
That’s all for today, but we’ll be back to tomorrow. Here are the 2016 Cheltenham Festival day one headlines:
- Altior defeats Min in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
- Douvan, Annie Power and Vroum Vroum Mag ensure hat-trick of Mullins wins
- Bookies losses expected to be around £10m because of Mullins magic
17:43 Coral taken to cleaners by punters! Good on you if you’ve had the odd winner today. Nicola McGeady explains the other side of things with all bookmakers set to have received estimated losses of £10m because of the Willie Mullins treble:
“The day started off on a shaky note when favourite Min was beaten, however, it wasn’t long before the tables turned on bookies, when the Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh dream team lived up to expectations…
“Douvan, Annie Power, and Vroum Vroum Mag ensured punters destroyed the bookies on day one of the festival, costing the industry an estimated ten million pounds.”
17:37 Ballyalton wins the final race of the day!
Full result:
1 Ballyalton 12/1
2 Bouvreuil 14/1
3 Double Shuffle 8/1
4 Bridgets Pet 33/1
17:33 AND THEY’RE OFF in the Close Brothers…
17:15 Close Brothers coming up… Check out the betting below, but there’s also our expert preview on the final race of day one, the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase:
The last race of Day 1 is the 5:30 Novices H’cap Chase- Aloomomo the well backed 7/2 fav!https://t.co/5ByJU49tIP pic.twitter.com/UWKyvSg18M
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
17:02 Minella Rocco wins the National Hunt Chase! We paid out on the first four, so here’s the result:
National Hunt Chase:
1st – Minella Rocco
2nd – Native River
3rd – Measureofmydreams4th – Southfield Royale (an extra place with Coral!)
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
16:53 AND THEY’RE OFF in the National Hunt Chase.
16:47 Three out of four ain’t bad… Or I understand Meatloaf sang something very similar. Coral going a bit near the knuckle saying our pants are down, but we’ve certainly taken a hiding on a day when it’s paid to back Willie Mullins favourites 3/4 of the time!
Be honest then, who’s had our pants down with today’s Mullins winners? #ShowTime pic.twitter.com/7xEXvnpuEE
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
16:42 Keeping up with Carly… Regular Coral punters and watchers of TV will know all about Carly. She’s been having a fantastic time at Prestbury Park by all accounts:
Fun day with @Coral at @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/s5grJWFTOr
— Carly Baker (@misscarlybaker) March 15, 2016
16:33 First four payout on each-way bets. A timely reminder we’re paying on the first four past the past in the National Hunt Chase. Bet now over on Coral’s sports site.
Four places in the National Hunt in the next at Cheltenham. Southfield Royale 5/1 fav.https://t.co/sfBiye8kiB pic.twitter.com/reStr3ywHu
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
16:27 Who’s in the National Hunt? Time to move on to the penultimate race of day one, the National Hunt Chase. Have a gander at our preview, and the betting as it stands below:
The next race is the 4:50 National Hunt Chase, incredibly competitive stuff:
Full market: https://t.co/sfBiye8kiB pic.twitter.com/py3WgONIAI
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
16:22 A third free bet for Supreme Novices’ customers. You know what another Mullins winner means? Yep, if you staked €/£20 or more on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle earlier today, you’ve got a third €/£5 free bet to be credited in your account by midday tomorrow. Coral are the gift that keep on giving!
THIRD free £5 bet in the bag, we’re really paying out today.
In your account by 12pm tomorrow folks! #ShowTime https://t.co/jEwILRUE7Q— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
16:17 Vroum Vroum Mag wins the Mares’ Hurdle! She bided her time really well, and delivered in the home straight. Mullins has three wins on the day.
VROUM VROUM MAG wins the Mares Hurdle! https://t.co/mq8gw1w4Ij
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
Result:
1 Vroum Vroum Mag 4/6F
2 Rock On The Moor 66/1
3 Legacy Gold 40/1
16:11 AND THEY’RE OFF in the Mares’ Hurdle.
And we’re off in the Mares Hurdle!
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
16:00 Polly Peachum to crash the party? Last year’s Mares’ Hurdles runner-up Polly Peachum could go one better if Vorum Vroum fails to fire!
15:55 Vroum Vroum in focus. All you need to know about Vroum Vorum Mag as she bids to make it three opening day Festival winners for Mullins. Fancy a bet? Then head on over to our sports site.
Vroum Vroum Mag is the heavy favourite in the Mares.
Another Mullins winner?
The lowdown on VVM #ShowTime pic.twitter.com/A9yjnIk198— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
15:48 Can Vroum Vroum Mag land Mullins hat-trick? Viewing the betting below or check out our Mares’ Hurdle preview.
Is Vroum Vroum Mag going to be too good for this lot in the Mares Hurdle?
Full market: https://t.co/9qVYGIMzCb pic.twitter.com/xfoNzJhjy6
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
15:42 Another free bet for a Mullins winner. If you took us up on the bet €/£20 get €/£5 free bets for every day one Mullins winner offer, then you’ve just scooped another with Annie Power’s success.
That’s the second free £5 bet in the bag if you backed this offer.
Annie Power romps home! #ShowTime https://t.co/jEwILRUE7Q
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
15:39 Annie Power wins the Champion Hurdle. Magnificent stuff from Annie Power, she atones for her fall last year and becomes just the second mare since Dawn Run in 1984 to win the day one Festival feature!
ANNIE POWER WINS THE CHAMPION HURDLE!https://t.co/mq8gw1w4Ij
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
She set a new course record too:
Annie Power has set a new course record in that unbelievable Champion Hurdle victory!
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
Champion Hurdle result:
1 Annie Power 5/2F
2 My Tent Or Yours 10/1
3 Nichols Canyon 15/2
15:35 AND THEY’RE OFF in the Champion Hurdle!
THEY’RE OFF IN THE CHAMPION HURDLE!
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
15:22 Power stat attack. All you need to know about Champion Hurdle favourite Annie Power:
Can Annie Power regain some hearts of Punters in the Champion Hurdle?
Key stats crunched: #ShowTime pic.twitter.com/xB9NwE0I7z
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
15:12 Offer plug, last chance! Annie Power is available an enhanced 12/1 odds to win the Champion Hurdle for new customers. Take advantage here as it ends at 15:20.
15:10 Champion Hurdle honing into view. It’s almost feature race time, the Champion Hurdle. Annie Power and all that!
It’s the big one coming up – The Champion Hurdle! Who wins this tricky one then?
–> https://t.co/c14L1G01VA pic.twitter.com/jLmHU7ee0K
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
15:07 Ultima result in full. Coral pay out on the first five past the post!
RESULT of the 2:50 Cheltenham:
1. Un Temps Pour Tout
2. Holywell
3. The Young Master
4. Morning Assembly
5. Kruzhlinin— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
15:00 Un Temps Pour Tout wins the Ultima from Holywell!
Un Temps Pour Tout wins the 2:50 Cheltenham!
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
Congratulations to @Coral Jumps Racing Ambassador, Tom Scudamore on his Un Temps Pour Tout winner. pic.twitter.com/uw1XVd9hJV
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
14:53 AND THEY’RE OFF in the Ultima Handicap Chase!
14:46 Open handicap. We’re paying out on the first five in the Ultima:
Ultima Business Solutions Handicap coming up next, remember we are 5 places. https://t.co/R25rC0B8FO.
Market: https://t.co/HuQIoFgNjm— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
14:35 Ultima market. And with a quarter of an hour to go until the next, here’s the latest betting:
We are paying FIVE places in the 2:50 Cheltenham.
Holywell fancied at 9/1. Bet: https://t.co/HuQIoFgNjm pic.twitter.com/qYIlS2bEnP
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
14:31 Ultima Handicap up next. Race three on day one of the Festival is the Ultima Handicap Chase. Why not read our preview?
14:22 Arkle result
1 Douvan 1/4
2 Sizing John 9/1
That’s your first £5 free bet in the bag thanks to this offer! #Douvan https://t.co/jEwILRUE7Q
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
14:17 Douvan wins the Arkle as Vaniteux falls! Congratulations to all punters who signed up for the Willie Mullins promos, you’ll have free bets in your account by 12:00 tomorrow!
DOUVAN wins the Arkle! https://t.co/mq8gw1w4Ij
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
14:12 AND THEY’RE OFF in the Arkle!
AND THEY’RE OFFFFFF IN THE ARKLE!
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
14:00 Douvan in profile:
An incredible horse is Douvan,
7 wins from 7! #ShowTime pic.twitter.com/znAAzDILud— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
13:51 Douvan to sparkle? A strong odds-on favourite in this one. Read our Arkle Challenge Trophy preview.
13:45 Arkle market. No Mullins win there, but surely Douvan is a dead cert! He’s a strong favourite here…
Right then, Douvan up in the Arkle next, can it be beaten?
1/3 favourite. https://t.co/7ygR8LZLHs pic.twitter.com/1O60AZuY9H— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
13:40 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle result
1 Altior 4/1
2 Min 15/8
3 Buveur D’air 10/1
13:37 Altior wins the Supreme from Min!
ALTIOR WINS THE SUPREME!
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
13:32 AND THEY’RE OFF in the Supreme Novices!
THEY’RE OFF AT CHELTENHAM 2016! #ShowTime
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
13:25 Offer plug, last chance! Get yourself signed up if you’re a new customer and take 8/1 on Willie Mullins training any Festival winner. This finishes at 13:30.
13:20 Supreme betting with 10 minutes to go… Another Supreme Novices’ Hurdle odds update ahead of the Festival getting underway:
Not long until that Cheltenham Rooooar!
Min 2/1
Altior 4/1
Buveur D’air 9/1.https://t.co/5ByJU49tIP pic.twitter.com/99XvxFbhKE— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
13:17 Don’t fear your horse falling. Another reminder that Coral offer fallers insurance on all Cheltenham Festival bets. If you selection is taken out or unseats the rider, then that’s cover too. Sweet.
Money back as a free bet if your horse falls in all Cheltenham races:https://t.co/47J7YJC37k pic.twitter.com/cjQC7ff78v
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
13:13 Scudamore has his say on Min. Visit our video section to hear top jockey Tom Scudamore’s thoughts on Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Min.
13:05 Acca attack! Fancy some multiple race bets? Check out our five featured Festival accas, including a day one Willie Mullins fourfold containing Min, Douvan, Annie Power and Vroum Vroum Mag.
13:00 Henderson Champion Hurdle hopes. Check out the Champion Hurdle contenders of Nicky Henderson, as he plans an all-out assault.
12:45 Skelton’s StableTalk. Trainer Dan Skelton talks through his first day rides.
12:30 Hour mark. The countdown reaches 60 minutes until the off. Time to check out our Supreme Novices’ Hurdle preview. Can Altior upset Min? Is Gordon Elliott’s Tombstone worth an each-way wager? Read what our experts have to say!
12:25 Fearsome foursome! The bookies all fear Willie Mullins quartet Min, Douvan, Annie Power and Vroum Vrouma Mag winning their respective races today. He trained four opening day winners last year remember, so could a repeat be on the cards? Check out the latest betting on Coral sports…
We’re fearing a Mullins mauling today.
Current prices on the big 4: #ShowTime pic.twitter.com/x3X0EDoH2k
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
12:15 Offer plug. Annie Power is 12/1 to win the Champion Hurdle for new customers! Full details can be found here.
12:05 Less than 90 minutes until the Festival is underway… Are you excited?
11:55 My Tent Or Yours? Not much of one for glamping or Festivals, except Cheltenham of course! Henderson’s My Tent Or Yours hasn’t raced in over 700 days, so a Champion Hurdle win would be incredible:
Incredible scenes if My Tent or Yours wins the Champion Hurdle after 703 days off! Currently 9/1. pic.twitter.com/FypOdts6Ib
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
11:45 Who to look out for! And now for something completely different… our guide to who to look out for during the Festival.
11:35 Supreme latest… Check out the latest Supreme Novices’ Hurdle betting below:
Latest Supreme Prices:
Min 9/4
Altior 7/2
Buveur D’air 15/2
Supasundae 12/1.https://t.co/5ByJU49tIP pic.twitter.com/cGGXjYzsCu— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
11:25 For your information… Coral have produced this wonderful infographic on the people who make the Cheltenham Festival. See the full version.
11:10 Henderson hopes? Nicky Henderson could well be the trainer leading the British charge today, as his Altior and My Tent Or Yours challenge Mullins’ contingent in the Supreme Novices’ and Champion Hurdle respectively.
11:05 Couch v Coral! As promised, our very own John Hill and Mark ‘The Couch’ Winstanley going head-to-head on the Cheltenham card via Periscope:
LIVE on #Periscope: Coral v The Couch. #CoralLive https://t.co/dVIDWPvoIo
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:57 Offer plug. Mullins at it again here at 8/1 to train ANY Festival winner. New customers sign up, staking €/£5 to receive €/£40 in free bets when one of his horses finishes first. Full details in our promotional article.
10:47 Not a thing to stop Min reigning Supreme? Mullins also has the market leader in the opening Festival race, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Impressive stuff:
Who’s on Mullins horse Min in the opener then?
“Bold show from the front”#ShowTime pic.twitter.com/JGnH9omkWQ— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:43 More on Vautour… Sticking with Mullins horses, Vautour is now odds-on 4/5 favourite for the Ryanair Chase, and here’s what our own David Stevens has to say:
“The decision to switch Vautour to the Ryanair Chase over the Gold Cup will have come as a blow to plenty of ante post punters, both those that backed him for the latter race after connections stated he would either run in the Gold Cup or not run at the Festival at all, and those who backed something in the Ryanair Chase on the basis that Vautour would not be among the opposition.”
10:39 Fallers insurance. And while we’re thinking about horses taking a tumble, if your selection falls in any race here’s out money back as a free bet guarantee!
Reminder, we are money back as a free bet on ALL Cheltenham Races! Terms:https://t.co/47J7YJC37k pic.twitter.com/dgRpnnGI4S
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:37 Annie get your gun! Our thoughts entirely! Can Annie Power atone for her final fence fall in last year’s Mares’ Hurdle and keep the Champion Hurdle in Willie Mullins’ hands?
She heads the market and is bidding to become just the second mare since Dawn Run over 30 years to scoop this prize.
Will Annie Power make up for *that* fall last year?
Bet: https://t.co/c14L1G01VA pic.twitter.com/l870eOK15x
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:35 Right on Vine! Also, check out our Cheltenham Festival day one factfile via Vine:
Pause this vine for a handy Day 1 Cheltenham fact to impress your mates with! #TurfTalk https://t.co/Dls8aGTDnK
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:30 What’s up our Periscope? The unenviable sight of Mark ‘The Couch’ Winstanley going head-to-head with our very own John Hill live from Coral HQ at 11:00. My money is on Rochdale’s finest…
Join us at 11am when Mark “The Couch” Winstanley will go head-to-head with @johnhillsport! #CoralLive pic.twitter.com/fLrkGysQ5b
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:27 Scudamore says… Has Ruby Walsh picked the wrong horse to ride in today’s feature race, the Champion Hurdle? Fellow top jockey Tom Scudamore reckons so. Read his Cheltenham Festival day one thoughts.
10:23 National Hunt Chase the place to bet each-way! We’re paying each-way odds on the first four past the post in the National Hunt Chase (16:50) today. Generous indeed from Coral:
4 places today on the National Hunt Chase! Minella Rocco 7/1 fav.
Latest market: https://t.co/sfBiye8kiB pic.twitter.com/MMIJeCYq22— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:20 Offer plug. We’ve got loads of great offers for the Cheltenham Festival, and if you bet €/£20 on the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle that opens proceedings today at 13:30 GMT, then you get €/£5 in free bets for every Willie Mullins winner.
Bet £20 on the Supreme.
Get a free £5 for EVERY Willie Mullins winner on day 1! https://t.co/VeVf2Y6wQn pic.twitter.com/8dSSZOWZ0L
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:15 Sure about Vautour… If you missed it earlier, we have confirmation that Vautour will run in the Ryanair Chase on day three and not in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Not quite in line with what owner Rich Ricci said mind…
BREAKING: Vautour will run in the Ryanair! #Cheltenham
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:10 Earn your place! Coral are paying an extra place on the Ultima Handicap Chase (14:50)! Each-way bets will come in if your horse finishes in the first five!
We’re paying 5 places on the 2:50pm Ultima Handicap (Online/Mobile). Latest market: https://t.co/HuQIoFgNjm https://t.co/R25rC0B8FO
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:05 Mullins magic? Willie Mullins had four winners on day one at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, and he could dominate again:
Here’s today’s stars of the show.
Willie Mullins could clean up! #ShowTime pic.twitter.com/0EQTFbiTOE
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
10:02 Fancy a flutter but new to betting? Check out our step by step gambling guide!
10:00 Hello everyone, and welcome to Coral’s 2016 Cheltenham Festival live blog! Over the next eight hours, we’ll take in the action on the opening day of the Prestbury Park spectacular.
And here’s the schedule for Champion Hurdle day:
Here’s how day one of #Cheltenham shapes up.#ShowTime pic.twitter.com/KtoEwy6gl7
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
Related
Check out more Cheltenham Festival tips, previews and blogs at Coral’s dedicated page.