Cheltenham Festival 2022: Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore win second Champion Hurdle

Rachael Blackmore rode unbeaten mare Honeysuckle to a thrilling second consecutive Champion Hurdle win on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Irish rider steered the 8-11 favourite to a 15th successive career victory for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

Honeysuckle and Blackmore were given a rousing reception after finishing ahead of 2020 champion Epatante and Zanahiyr.

Blackmore made history as the first female rider to win Tuesday's big race last year.

She went on to be the first woman to be the meeting's top jockey and then won the Grand National on Minella Times.

And the landmarks keep coming - Honeysuckle is the first mare to win the Champion Hurdle twice.

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Last year's meeting was held behind closed doors because of Covid-19 and this time a record first-day crowd of 68,567 roared home the runners.

"Walking out in front of the stands with all the people, it's such a special place," said Blackmore, 32, who was voted BBC World Sport Star of the Year in December.

"I'm so lucky to ride winners here and this mare - she's just incredible."

'Never-ending fairytale'

The 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Appreciate It made the running on his seasonal debut in the Champion Hurdle.

But Blackmore stayed cool in his slipstream and coasted to the front as the race unfolded before surging clear.

Delighted De Bromhead paid tribute to Honeysuckle, who was winning her 11th top-level Grade One race.

"She's incredible - it is the never-ending fairytale. I always prepare for myself for it to end but it never does," he said.

"Unreal. It is incredible to get the roar and I just hoped that she would get it."

Epatante bounced back to form to run a fine race in second for trainer Nicky Henderson, who enjoyed a successful opening day.

'An extraordinary animal'

Constitution Hill was the 9-4 co-favourite heading into the race, eventually winning by 22 lengths

Constitution Hill, trained by Henderson, was a breathtaking winner of the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle, powering clear in a course record to win by 22 lengths from stablemate Jonbon, with Kilcruit third.

Dysart Dynamo, who shared 9-4 favouritism with the victor, was a late faller when in contention but would have faced a tough task reeling in his rival.

"I'll be surprised if you've ever seen better than that in this race - it was a brilliant performance," said BBC commentator John Hunt.

Henderson called the performance under Nico de Boinville "awesome" and said Constitution Hill was "an extraordinary animal".

There was a sad post-script to the race with Shallwehaveonemore, trained by Gary Moore, suffering a fatal injury after falling at the final flight.

Great Britain went into the meeting on the back of a record 23-5 defeat last year to Irish-trained runners, but triumphed in the first three races this time and ended the day 4-3 ahead.

The 5-2 favourite Edwardstone, ridden by Tom Cannon for Wiltshire-based trainer Alan King, ran out an emphatic winner for his fifth successive victory of the season.

Cannon clocked his first Festival win after his mount did well to sidestep faller Brave Seasca earlier in the race.

Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell landed the Ultima Handicap Chase with 10-1 chance Corach Rambler finishing with a late charge under Derek Fox.

• Corach Rambler wins for Scottish trainer

Later Henderson and De Boinville sealed a double with Marie's Rock (10-1) winning the Mares Hurdle, where Blackmore was a faller with Telmesomethinggirl.

Owner JP McManus secured his first win of the week as Brazil scored in the juvenile handicap hurdle for trainer Padraig Roche. Jockey Mark Walsh steered the 10-1 shot to victory despite being hampered by runner-up Gaelic Warrior.

Willie Mullins landed another Irish success in the concluding National Hunt Chase as son Patrick on Stattler got the better of Run Wild Fred, trained by Gordon Elliott.

Wednesday's highlights

One of the week's most keenly awaited contests comes as Shishkin and Energumene face each other again in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, while there could be an emotional farewell to racing legend Tiger Roll.

Home hope Shishkin, trained by Henderson, prevailed in their first meeting at Ascot - one of the great races of recent times - so Mullins will be looking for revenge here.

Mullins saddles Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi, a classy performer but beaten at odds-on in his two previous performances outside Ireland.

Last year's winner Put The Kettle On and runner-up Nube Negra add a competitive feel to the two-mile contest.

Two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll will seek a record-equalling sixth Cheltenham Festival victory in the Cross Country Chase.

Owner Michael O'Leary has ruled the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding out of running in this year's National and indicated this could be his final race.

Wednesday, 17 March

13:30 - Ballymore Novices' Hurdle 2m 5f

14:10 - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 3m 80y

14:50 - Coral Cup Hurdle 2m 5f

15:30 - Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase 1m 7f 199y

16:10 - Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase 3m 6f 37y

16:50 - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase 1m 7f 199y

17:30 - Weatherbys Champion Bumper 2m 87y

BBC coverage

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra 13:15-18:00

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