All the stars aligned on day one of the Cheltenham Festival as the Henry de Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle signed off as a champion.
Going into the race as a 12-time Grade One winner, a dual Champion Hurdler, all eyes were on the heroine Honeysuckle ahead of her final run at a race course when going to post in the Mares’ Hurdle on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.
Vying with last year’s winner Marie’s Rock for 9-4 favouritism, Honeysuckle had to bounce back from her first two career defeats in the Hatton’s Grace and the Irish Champion Hurdle, with the eyes of the world watching the nine-year-old and Rachael Blackmore.
With 23 Grade 1s and four festival winners among the field, it was an arduous task to say the least as Honeysuckle found herself in the lead from the offset with Love Envoi racing outside her, before taking up the early running.
Heading to the second last, Love Envoi set away but had Honeysuckle on her haunches, before the superstar got alongside over the last and took off in the style which we have become so accustomed to down the years.
Rachael Blackmore was incredibly emotional after what has been a torrid nine months for all involved at Knockeen.
“We all wish a very special kid could be here today but he’s watching down on us”, said Blackmore.
“Henry has done so well to produce her. She’s a phenomenal mare who’s been incredible for my career. She’s a credit to everyone. It’s a brilliant day.”
Just a wonderful #CheltenhamFestival moment.
Honeysuckle - a Festival legend and what a way to sign off! @HenrydeBromhead | @rachaelblackmor pic.twitter.com/JxBvDkP3Om
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2023
“We did it. I’m so happy for Henry, his family and the stable”, said winning owner Kenny Alexander. “This guy is an amazing trainer and a top, top bloke.”
“It’s the fairytale ending”, said de Bromhead. “It’s what you dream of happening. It’s incredible. It means a lot to all of us. She’s an incredible mare, she’s awesome. We’ve had so much fun with her. It’s been an amazing few years. I’m very lucky to have had her.”
King Constitution
The next big superstar of jump racing, Constitution Hill, showed exactly why he has garnered such a reputation with a simply devastating display, beating State Man by nine lengths with a breathtaking sense of ease for Nicky Henderson, with Nico De Boinville almost static on board the Michael Buckley-owned Champion Hurdler.
Sent off at 4/11, once Constitution Hill hit the front two out, it was simply never in doubt as he bolted out into a sizeable advantage with consummate ease, to delight an 80,000 strong crowd, many of whom came to see him above all other reasons.
111-111
The mighty Constitution Hill, simply majestic in the Unibet Champion Hurdle! #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/RiIeP3kSgj
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2023
“What a horse!" De Boinville said. "I'm just absolutely delighted. He's given me a terrific spin round. I could feel them all coming to two out but he's just winged every single hurdle and it's just a matter of when you push the button. He's won hard held."
O'Sullivan On Fire
In the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the bullish Barry Connell was proven right as his Marine Nationale, the 9/2 favourite, picked off Facile Vega running down the straight courtesy of a superb ride from talented youngster Michael O’Sullivan, to secure a first festival victory by three and a quarter lengths.
The Royal Bond winner remains unbeaten as Willie Mullins was forced to settle for the places as Facile Vega stayed on for second while Diverge ran a cracker at 25/1 into third. The Henry de Bromhead-trained Inthepocket kept on well for fourth in the hands of Rachael Blackmore.
“That's unbelievable and a massive relief, for Barry for having the faith in me and for the team at home - they work so hard”, said O’Sullivan. “The horse is just incredible. Turning in there I wasn’t sure what I was holding on to but my god he actually won easy. Barry stuck his chest out and he was right."
MARINE NATIONALE denies FACILE VEGA! 👊
The @SkyBet Supreme Novices' Hurdle gets the week off to a thrilling start 💥#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/Jvs4TZenGD
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 14, 2023
"I put my neck up above the parapet about six months ago before the Royal Bond and said I’d never had a horse as quick as this”, recalled Connell.
"I knew coming into the race I had the best horse in the race and the best rider in the race and everything went according to plan. We’re coming back here for the double tomorrow.”
The race proved part of a stunning 103/1 double for O’Sullivan as he provided Gordon Elliott with his first winner of the festival in the penultimate Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle aboard 18/1 shot Jazzy Matty, seeing off Byker and Risk Belle at the post.
🇮🇪 1-2-3 for Ireland! 🇮🇪
And what a day for rider @Michael_OSull as Jazzy Matty is too good in a thrilling finish to the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for @gelliott_racing #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/7I5dbKr0Dl
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2023
“He’d a nice light weight, we went very slow, I gave him plenty of room and he did everything for me. He won with a bit in hand and he’s a nice horse going forward”, said O’Sullivan. “It’s great that everything is paying off.”
Arkle Ace
It only took two races for Closutton handler Willie Mullins to land a whopping 89th Cheltenham Festival success, as El Fabiolo picked off long-time leading stablemate Dysart Dynamo two from home making progress on the inside rail, sweeping past market rival Jonbon to get up with five and a half lengths in hand.
El Fabiolo’s first ever win was in a maiden hurdle at Tramore, but he has hit new heights since with success in both the Irish Arkle and now the Arkle itself.
"When I was left on my own, he got a little idle down the back but when I wanted him to race he came alive for me," said Townend.
El Fabiolo wins the Sporting Life Arkle Chase #ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/wv27z6OdQG
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 14, 2023
"He's not the most natural of jumpers at every fence but he knows where his feet are and gets away with it. He was brave to go through on the inner at two-out and there wasn't a whole lot there at the last, but again he found his feet. He galloped to the top of the hill, which is a good sign. I think he'd have no problem getting further, he's learning to settle now and has grown up physically and mentally.”
“When he picked him up, it was like changing gears”, said Mullins. “I’m hoping he’ll be a Champion Chase horse.”
Dungarvan jockey Sean Houlihan stole into fourth aboard Straw Fan Jack, who kept on following Dysart Dynamo’s fall at the last.
“It was the run of his career. We were probably a bit fortunate with the faller but we have a nice handicap chaser to go to war with next season”, said Houlihan.
The victory proved a double for Mullins, as son Patrick rode Gaillard Du Mesnil to success in the closing National Hunt Chase as Mahler Mission crashed out late on when leading for John McConnell.
Finishing with a flourish!
It didn't look likely at one stage, but the well-supported Gaillard Du Mesnil sends punters home happy with National Hunt Chase glory for Willie and Patrick Mullins.
What a day! #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/9yArWiD0L9
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2023
Rambling On
The Ultima Handicap Chase again went the way of Scotland, with Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler creating history as he won the race for the second year in a row, the 6/1 joint-favourite had his arrival timed to perfection yet again by Derek Fox in a phenomenal ride, to deny Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow by just a neck at the line.
He becomes just the third horse to win the race twice after Scot Lane and Un Temps Pour Tout, and has been slashed into 8/1 favouritism for the Aintree Grand National as a result.
HE'S DONE IT AGAIN! 😮
Corach Rambler gets up for a repeat in the Ultima Handicap for Derek Fox & Lucinda Russell 👏 pic.twitter.com/y2fs5dm8R0
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 14, 2023
“He travelled a lot easier today than he did last year even”, said Fox. “I found myself at the back three out worried that I was going to hit the front early on him. He’s a marvellous horse, probably the yard favourite really - he’s the horse of a lifetime. I can’t believe it.”
