Annie Power made history today at Cheltenham, becoming the first mare to win the Stan James Champion Hurdle since 1994.
Easy
Her win more than made amends for her final flight tumble in last year’s OLBG Mares’ Hurdle. The pre-race favourite made most of the running, powering up the hill to finish 4½ lengths clear of My Tent Or Yours and setting a new course record in the process.
“She was so unlucky last year and we copped a fair bit of flak over it, but that is the nature of sport I suppose. She’s brilliant,” said jockey Ruby Walsh.
Redemption
“It’s just spectacular,” said Rich Ricci, husband of the winning owner. “No horse deserves to win here – but she does really! Sport offers such a chance for redemption and it’s fantastic to see. I’m happy for the horse and just happy for everyone.”
As well as winning the feature race, owner Susannah Ricci, trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh took two other races, giving them a treble of victories on day one.
“It’s a super performance from the mare to come back like that with only one run under her belt. She bossed the race but that was Ruby’s plan. He told me a fortnight ago what he was going to do and it’s worked out like that,” said trainer Willie Mullins. “I thought she might be able to win but I didn’t think she’d be able to do it like that. It was a huge performance.”
Treble
Mullins and Walsh’s first win of the day came in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy, when Douvan won by an impressive seven lengths.
Six-year-old Douvan has only been beaten once in his career – on his first start in France. At 1/4, he is the shortest-priced Arkle winner in the race’s history.
Vroum Vroum Mag was equally as dominant in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle, completing a hat-trick of wins on the opening day of Cheltenham’s showcase meeting.
They were denied a four-timer when pre-race favourite Min finished second to the Nicky Henderson-trained Altior in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Sadness
There was sad news on the first day of the Festival, however, when three horses sustained fatal injuries in three separate races.
Jenny Hall, the British Horseracing Authority’s chief veterinary officer, said: “We are sad to hear of the fatal injuries received today by The Govaness, Pont Alexandre and Rezorbi. Our thoughts are with the owners, trainers and all the staff who have cared for these horses.”
Wednesday’s main focus is the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, in which Willie Mullins’ Un De Sceaux starts favourite.