Protektorat wins!published at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
Image source, ReutersAnother winner for the Skeltons. Another winner for Sir Alex Ferguson!
Summary
Shakem Up'Arry wins Plate Handicap Chase for owner Harry Redknapp
Sir Alex Ferguson-owned horses win both Pertemps & Ryanair Chase
Golden Ace (10-1) takes Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Favourite Inothewayurthinkin wins Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase
Protektorat wins!published at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 14:56 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
Stage Star is fading and here comes Protektorat and Envoi Allen...
Postpublished at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
Two to go... Stage Star still leads but not for long you'd suspect...
Postpublished at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
Fugitif is done. Down to 10.
Anyone's game.
Stage Star is still leading but not sure whether he'll see it out.
Rachael Blackmore is getting Envoi Allen into a prime spot...
Postpublished at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
Fugitif is starting to struggle. Sorry if you've backed that one.
Postpublished at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
No serious issues for any of the field yet, all jumping neatly and nicely.
The customary roar - getting beerier by the race - pricks the ears up as they go past the stands.
Stage Star still out in front, Ahoy Senor in second.
Postpublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
The stage is set... and Stage Star steps into the limelight.
Harry Cobden, looking for back-to-back winners, sets the pace.
And they're off!published at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
Our 11 protagonists are toeing the line and, as the rain belts down in the Cotswolds hills, they get cracking.
Postpublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
Fil Dor looks a character.
The relaxed Gordon Elliott charge is off for a wander, taking a look at the fence while the rest of the field magnetise already.
Cool and calm.
Postpublished at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
There have been some question marks over the 10-year-old Envoi Allen, but he knows his way around Cheltenham.
Another reason to not doubt is he will be ridden by Rachael Blackmore.
Even Ruby Walsh, working as an analyst on ITV, is not looking past him.
De Bromhead not worried about Envoi Allenpublished at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
Henry de Bromhead is confident a lack of recent outings will not harm Envoi Allen's chances of becoming the third horse to claim back-to-back wins in the Ryanair Chase.
Albertas Run did the double for Jonjo O'Neill in 2010 and 2011, while Allaho struck twice for Willie Mullins in 2021 and 2022.
Envoi Allen, a 9-4 favourite, has only been given a run in a couple of races this term, finishing a neck behind Gerri Colombe at Down Royal in mid-November.
"He seems in mighty form, we're happy with him, so fingers crossed," says De Bromhead.
"I'm not at all worried that he hasn't run since Down Royal; he's fit andwell, he's worked well and he runs well fresh."
Postpublished at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
Fergie might be on a roll... that's not good news for his rivals.
Just ask Kevin Keegan, Arsene Wenger, etc, etc.
Envoi Allen targets repeatpublished at 14:41 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:50 - Ryanair Chase, 2m 4 1/2f
Image source, GettyWill we see Envoi Allen make it back-to-back wins in the race? Henry de Bromhead’s charge, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, loves the track and has won three races at the Festival over his career.
Fellow Irish challenger Conflated, trained by Gordon Elliott, is one to watch while former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping that his horse Protektorat can win.
Another danger is Stage Star, although he was pulled up in his last outing after a win at the Festival last year and in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at the track in November.
Today's racecardpublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
Two down, five to go!
Here's what is coming up...
13:30: Turners Novices' Chase (Grade 1) - GREY DAWNING
14:10: Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) - MONMIRAL
14:50: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) - 11 runners
15:30: Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) - 12 runners
16:10: TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase - 22 runners
16:50: Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) - nine runners
17:30: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase - 24 runners
You can see all the runners and riders on our Cheltenham racecards
Postpublished at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
How lovely to see so many racegoers following our live text on their phones...
Image source, PA MediaPostpublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
Monmiral wins Pertemps Network Final
Another fantastic image, demonstrating what Cheltenham means, as Monmiral returns to the winners' enclosure.
Ged Mason, another of Monmiral's owners, bows with his arms clasped in the air towards the seven-year-old as he greets him.
Cobden earns Fergie praisepublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
Monmiral wins Pertemps Network Final
Image source, PA MediaLike everyone else at Cheltenham, Sir Alex Ferguson is stunned.
The legendary Manchester United manager seems lost for words as Monmiral's connections celebrate.
Fergie is buzzing, although not quite like he used to be when celebrating a Wayne Rooney winner.
Harry Cobden will be the first name of his teamsheet now after earning Sir Alex his first Cheltenham winner!
"This is fantastic, brilliant. What a jockey," he says.
Fergie time at Cheltenhampublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
14:10 - Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle), 3m
Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham
Image source, ReutersMonmiral is a winner for former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is one of the four owners.
It is also the first victory of the week for champion trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden,
The 25-1 chance provided another victory for Great Britain with the first six home saddled by British trainers.
If it wasn't for Willie Mullins, GB would be leading Ireland in the race for the Prestbury Cup!
Current score: Ireland 10-5 Great Britain
'I thought he should be 125-1'published at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
Monmiral wins Pertemps Network Final
Image source, ReutersWinning jockey Harry Cobden, speaking to ITV Sport: "I can't believe this horse has won that.
"I ticked the box this morning and he was 25-1. I thought he should be 125-1.
"Shows what I know!"
Credit to Nichollspublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 14 March
Monmiral wins Pertemps Network Final
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraKyntara has run an absolute cracker but for Monmiral, you have to give credit to Paul Nicholls.
He opted for first-time blinkers and it has proved the midas touch he needed. Kyntara was a very talented young horse but chasing didn't work so he was switched back to hurdles and now he has landed a big prize.