Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Rachael Blackmore is back in form! The owner spoke earlier and said his dream that Bob Olinger and Teahupoo would jump the last together.

Image source, Getty Images

After also winning on Air Of Entitlement in the opening race of Thursday, Rachael Blackmore has ridden a 152-1 double by steering Bob Olinger to victory.

Superb stuff from Blackmore and trainer Henry De Bromhead.

1 Bob Olinger (Rachael Blackmore) 8-1

2 Teahupoo (J W Kennedy) 7-4 Fav

3 The Wallpark (M P Walsh) 7-1

13 ran

A superb race, and another win for Rachael Blackmore.

Bob Olinger, one of the oldest horses at the Festival aged 10, showed all its experience as Blackmore held him at the back for most of that race.

Then over the final two hurdles, Blackmore pushed him on with excellent timing and Bob Olinger had enough in the tank to hold off reigning champion Teahupoo in a classic finish.

Image source, Reuters

Teahupoo and Bob Olinger, in the near identical silks, are neck and neck over the last!

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Teahupoo, if you're a favourite backer, he's had a real smooth passage.

Bob Olinger still goes OK.

Up to the last, and Bob Olinger has moved up to the front!

Lucky Place is struggling.

Two to jump, it's very tight between the remaining 11 runners.

A real chance for a strong late finisher here. But who will it be?

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Teahupoo did amazingly well to avoid that faller, a very quick sidestep. Light on his feet. He's in a lovely position.

Rocky's Diamond has taken the lead from Gowel Road.

Lucky Place is still third.

Two fallers!

Crambo goes down heavily, and brings down Home By The Lee.

Home By The Lee crashed through the running rail too. We hope they are both ok.

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Teahupoo is three wide and taking no chances, doesn't want to get interfered with.

Seven to jump, all 13 starters are still with us.

Gowel Road still leads. Bob Olinger is the backmarker currently.

Heavy rainclouds are gathering again over Cheltenham. Will this prove a stormy race?

Lucky Place, one of the favourites, is going in third behind the early pacesetters.

Gowel Road has moved into the early lead, from Rocky's Diamond.

Long way to go.

Andrew Thornton
Former jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Gordon Elliott also has The Wallpark, who has been very consistent. Nicky Henderson has got Lucky Place and he is a real street fighter. Fourth in the Coral Cup last year.

And we are off!

The jockeys are being more patient here, slowly taking their rides in a circle. They will want to avoid the flurry of false starts we saw earlier.

A word of warning for those following this race - the jockeys of Teahupoo and Bob Olinger have virtually identical silks on.

The only difference is that Teahupoo's Jack Kennedy is wearing a pink cap with a black star, while Rachael Blackmore on Bob Olinger has a black cap with a pink star.

Teahupoo, the defending champion, will go off as favourite again in the 2025 Stayers' Hurdle.

The Wallpark and Lucky Place are also well backed.