State Man shines and brilliant Blackmore: Day one at the Cheltenham Festival
There were six Irish winners spread across four trainers on Tuesday
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Paul Townend returns to the winners' enclosure after State Man's Champion Hurdle success
“I never finish second with a smile on my face but I did today"
Day one of the Cheltenham Festival ended with six of the best for the Green Team, who have picked up where they left off in previous years.
Here are the top Tuesday talking points…
State Man stamps authority once more
The question of whether State Man would have toppled Constitution Hill remains unanswered but Willie Mullins and Paul Townend care not one jot.
“You have to turn up to win a Champion Hurdle,” said the trainer. “We turned up.
“I was amazed the way Paul rode him, I thought he’d be much more forward. I never dreamed he’d be fifth four from home but he ran with supreme confidence.”
It is perhaps time to stop comparing the seven-year-old to Nicky Henderson’s star and appreciate him in his own right.
State Man now has more Grade 1 triumphs (nine) than Constitution Hill has run races (eight) and this only served to whet the appetite further for a potential match-up at Punchestown.
Blackmore and de Bromhead still love this place
Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore flew under the radar somewhat in the build-up to this week but few peak at Festival time quite like that duo.
They hit the ground running with victory in the opener as Slade Steel landed the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, fighting back superbly after losing ground to Mystical Power over the last.
“I didn’t really want to be in front over the last but he took me there and he battled back so well after the last,” he said.
“It’s unbelievable, I just love this place. It’s amazing to be coming here riding these kind of horses. Henry’s training every year to bring them here the way he does is incredible.”
Gaelic Warrior proves doubters wrong
They said he couldn’t jump left-handed… how wrong they were.
Gaelic Warrior got Willie Mullins and Paul Townend underway for the week with a dominant victory in the Arkle, streaking clear to land a maiden Festival triumph having hit the crossbar in each of the last two years.
"That's actually as good a ride I've gotten off him in a race,” said Townend.
“He's jumped a lot straighter and his stamina came into play. We know he stays. I pointed him the right way and he did the rest.”
Mullins hailed a hood, being worn by the six-year-old for the first time, as crucial to the display and it remains to be seen whether he will follow in stablemate El Fabiolo’s footsteps and go for the Champion Chase next year.
Harney reminds us what it’s all about
Tom Harney came to the Festival to lead up horses for Willie Mullins six years ago – this year he is here as a jockey.
He marked his debut ride with a stunning second on 80/1 shot Eagles Reign in the Boodles, won by Lark In The Mornin under JJ Slevin for Joseph O’Brien.
Owner Tommy Ward was roaring him home from the parade ring and Harney told Horse Racing Ireland afterwards of his pride in his display.
“I never finish second with a smile on my face but I did today,” he said.
“I’m delighted, I got a good spin around and he jumped brilliant. He’s a tough little horse and he stayed on well up the hill. It’s great for the yard, they’d have got a great thrill out of it, as I did.”
Emmet Mullins lands emotional winner
The day one finale, the National Hunt Challenge Cup, was renamed in memory of Maureen Mullins following her death, aged 94, a month ago.
It was only fitting, therefore, that there was a Mullins in the winners’ enclosure and it was her grandson Emmet who took the honours courtesy of Corbetts Cross, who held off the challenge of Embassy Gardens.
“It was a huge honour to have the race named after her and it’s extra special to win it,” he said.
“We have a few more chances this week – we’re one down, three to go. Hopefully we’ll have some more success.”