Champion Hurdle
Reigning champion Buveir D’Air,
trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Barry Geraghty, started 4/6
favourite to retain his title, but had to work hard to do so,
eventually edging out Melon by a neck in a driving finish. Mick Jazz,
a 25/1 outsider, finished third beaten a further 3 lengths, but 2015
winner, and 4/1 second favourite, Faugheen, faded between the last
two flights to finish sixth of the nine finishers.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
Altior, trained by Nicky Henderson and
ridden by Nico de Boinville, was sent off even money favourite to win
his thirteenth race in a row and did so in no uncertain terms,
forging clear for an impressive 7-length win over Min. God’s Own, a
40/1 outsider, rallied to take third, a further 11 lengths away.
Douvan, third favourite at 9/2, was still travelling well when
falling at the fourth last fence.
Stayers’ Hurdle
Penhill, trained by Willie Mullins and
ridden by Paul Townend was returning from a 323-day break, but that
didn’t stop the 12/1 chance from winning by 2 lengths, going.
Compatriot Supersundae finished second, while Wholestone fared best
of the domestic contenders, staying on to take third, 3 lengths
further behind. Favourite Sam Spinner could only keep on at one pace
to finish fifth, 6¼ lengths behind the winner.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup had long
been billed as a match between King George VI Chase winner, Might
Bite, and the previous year’s third, Native River, although late
support for Our Duke forced Native River out to 5/1 third favourite
at the off. Native River and Might Bite did, indeed, dominate
proceedings, with the former making all the running and outstaying
the 4/1 favourite in the closing stages to win by 4½ lengths.
Anibale Fly, unconsidered at 33/1, plugged on into a
never-threatening third, a further 4 lengths away. Our Duke was never
travelling after making two mistakes in mid-race and was pulled up at
the top of the hill on the final circuit.
