Cheltenham Festival 2016: From The Horse’s Mouth Day One round-up
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | March 15, 2016
The 2016 Cheltenham Festival got off to a ferocious beginning on Champion Hurdle day with some top-class horse racing action. Here’re the best Tweets and videos.
Pre-race second-favourite Altior (4/1) won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle to get the 2016 Festival off to a winning start for Nicky Henderson ahead of the more-fancied Willie Mullins-trained Min (15/8).
A magnificent display from Altior who shrugs off his rivals in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle #TheFestival https://t.co/KOC41q3Yh1
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 15, 2016
Peter Crouch glances his unknowing eyes over the Festival…
Pretending to know what I'm doing #CheltenhamFestival
— Peter Crouch (@petercrouch) March 15, 2016
Mullins gained his first winner of the day, though, in the Arkle Challenge Trophy at 14:10, as Douvan lived up to his heavy 1/4 odds-on price with Coral to hold off Sizing John (9/1).
Favourite DOUVAN wins @RacingPost Arkle in style! #CheltenhamFestival #Cheltenham https://t.co/oQLM0O4ai8
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) March 15, 2016
Golfing star Lee Westwood at the Races!
Here we go !!! #CheltenhamFestival https://t.co/DEVLrQmM9E
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) March 15, 2016
Coral’s own jumps racing ambassador Tom Scudamore rode Un Temps Pour Tout (12/1) home to claim the Ultima Handicap Chase. Favourite Our Sam (7/1) finished way down the field, while dual Festival winner Holywell (9/1) came second.
Congratulations to @Coral Jumps Racing Ambassador, Tom Scudamore on his Un Temps Pour Tout winner. pic.twitter.com/uw1XVd9hJV
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
Face of Coral Carly Baker enjoying the occasion…
Fun day with @Coral at @CheltenhamRaces ???? pic.twitter.com/s5grJWFTOr
— Carly Baker (@misscarlybaker) March 15, 2016
After falling in the Mares’ Hurdle while leading at the last in 2015, to the despair of many, 5/2 favourite Annie Power smashed home to land the Champion Hurdle – setting a new course record along the way.
It's third time lucky for Annie Power at #TheFestival who jumped brilliantly to win the Champion Hurdle https://t.co/swMxEyY4WQ
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 15, 2016
Andy Carroll wasn’t racing today was he?
@AndyTCarroll good luck today at Cheltenham pal. ????
— Jack Whitehall (@jackwhitehall) March 15, 2016
Vroum Vroum Mag lived up to her 4/6 odds-on favourite tag to win the Mares’ Hurdle to hand Mullins a hat-trick of victories on the day. Our own Simon Clare called it!
TIP OF THE DAY: @SiClare goes for Vroum Vroum Mag in the 4.10 race here at #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/gx0jdFo6HE
— Alan Brazil (@SportsBreakfast) March 15, 2016
Loyal Coral customers certainly profited from our offer today after Mullins’ triple success!
Be honest then, who's had our pants down with today's Mullins winners? #ShowTime pic.twitter.com/7xEXvnpuEE
— Coral (@Coral) March 15, 2016
