The 2017 Champion Hurdle featured a 1-2
for trainer Nicky Henderson and owner John P. McManus, with 5/1
second favourite Buveir D’Air drawing clear in the closing stages
to beat 16/1 chance My Tent Or Yours – who was finishing second for
the third time – by 4½ lengths. Petit Mouchoir kept on at one pace
to finish third, a further 3 lengths away, while favourite Yanworth
finished a never dangerous seventh, only to be disqualified later
after a banned substance was found in his system.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
Douvan, unbeaten in 13 starts over
hurdles and fences since joining Willie Mullins and already twice a
winner at the Cheltenham Festival, was sent off at prohibitive odds
of 2/9 to complete what appeared, at least on paper, to be an easy
task. However, the 7-year-old found little in the closing stages,
trailing in seventh of the nine finishers and was found to be lame
after the race. Special Tiara, third in 2015 and 2016, took
advantage, holding on, all out, to beat Fox Norton by a head, with
Sir Valentino 6 lengths away in third.
Stayers’ Hurdle
The 2017 Stayers’ Hurdle, sponsored
by Sun Bets and reverting to the title by which it was known from
1972 onwards, produced a shock result. Unowhatimeanharry, trained by
Harry Fry and ridden by Noel Fehily, had won 8-8 over hurdles since
joining the Dorset handler and was sent off hot favourite, at 5/6, to
maintain his unbeaten record for the yard. The 9-year-old held every
chance jumping the last flight, but could find no extra in the
closing stages and finish third, beaten 4¼ lengths. Nichols Canyon,
trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh, eventually
prevailed, by three-quarters of a length, from gallant runner-up Lil
Rockerfeller.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
Djakadam, runner-up in 2015 and 2016,
started 3/1 favourite to win the Cheltenham showpiece but, having
travelled well for most of the way, made a mistake at the second last
when just in the lead, faded on the run-in to finish fourth, beaten
3¼ lengths. Meanwhile, Sizing John, trained by Jessica Harrington
and ridden by Robbie Power powered home to beat Minella Rocco by 2¾
lengths, with second favourite Native River a further short head
behind in third. Cue Card fell at the third last fence for the second
year in a row.
