Postpublished at 17:11 Greenwich Mean Time
17:20 Champion Bumper (2m)
Let's take a look at a preview for the final race of the day then - the Champion Bumper.
Hopefully, another good one to cap off a fine day of racing!
Summary
Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty win in back-to-back races
Both horses were led to victory by the late Michael O'Sullivan in 2023
Postpublished at 17:11 Greenwich Mean Time
'We are overwhelmed'published at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraMervin Gray, part of the Top Man Racing Syndicate who own Jazzy Matty, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: "We just can't believe it, we knew we had a great chance. He loves this hill, he has proved it before. What a day, a very special moment.
"There's somebody looking over us today, it can only be one man.
"Danny [Gilligan] did well, gave him plenty of space. We are overwhelmed."
'Surreal'published at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraMarine Nationale and Jazzy Matty were the two horses Michael O'Sullivan rode to victory on the opening day of Cheltenham two years ago. They have won races back to back today.
It is surreal, I have hairs standing up on the back of my neck.
'Some performance from Jazzy Matty'published at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Mervin Gray, part of the Top Man Racing Syndicate who own Jazzy Matty speaking to ITV Racing: "That was some performance from Jazzy Matty. We knew he had more in the tank. Should we mention Michael O'Sullivan as well? What a legend. We're all overcome.
"Somebody is watching over us today and it's only one man, credit to him."
'Someone very special is looking down on us'published at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Image source, Getty ImagesJazzy Matty jockey Danny Gilligan speaking to ITV Racing: "I think we all know there is someone very special looking down on this, especially with Marine Nationale earlier and now this. Someone very special is looking down at us today.
"He never missed a beat, it's all down to the lads who do the work every day. I'm just thrilled to get the result."
Remarkable win for Jazzy Mattypublished at 16:54 Greenwich Mean Time
Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at CheltenhamIt was written in the stars.
Jazzy Matty was the other horse Michael O'Sullivan rode to victory at Cheltenham two years ago.
Irish jockey O'Sullivan, who died in a fall last month, won the Fred Winter Hurdle for trainer Gordon Elliott in 2023.
Postpublished at 16:52 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
It really is just absolutely extraordinary that these Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty won today.
Grand Annual resultpublished at 16:49 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
1 Jazzy Matty (D J Gilligan) 15-2
2 Unexpected Party (Harry Skelton) 11-2 Fav
3 Midnight It Is (S W Flanagan) 25-1
20 ran
Postpublished at 16:48 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Incredible stuff. The two horses you would associate Michael O'Sullivan with have gone on to win back to back.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Michael O'Sullivan celebrates winning at Cheltenham on Jazzy Matty in 2023
Postpublished at 16:46 Greenwich Mean Time
Breaking16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
It's Jazzy Matty who pips Unexpected Party on the line! What a finish.
Postpublished at 16:46 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Unexpected Party takes the lead as they take the turn for home...
Postpublished at 16:45 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Primoz may well be getting called up soon as it struggles badly at the back with three fences remaining.
Traprain Law leads the way but they're very well bunched.
Postpublished at 16:44 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Image source, PA MediaUnexpected Party is travelling well on the outside in about third place with eight fences to go.
Western Zephyr takes the lead.
Postpublished at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
And we're off, for sure this time! Dancing On My Own jumps the first in front with everyone safely over.
Postpublished at 16:42 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraOh my goodness, they are supposed to come in at a controlled jog - that was a flat-out gallop.
Postpublished at 16:41 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
And we're off! Oh, no we're not! A number of the horses were basically into a full gallop before the tape wasn't back. A false start is called.
Might take a while to call these back, some are a way down the track.
Postpublished at 16:40 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
The horses walk very slowly towards the start as we're moments away from the start of this race.
Postpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
Last year's winner, Unexpected Party, goes off favourite for this one at 5-1 with My Mate Mozzie being well backed into 11-2.
But, with 18 other runners in the field, your guess is as good as mine for who's going to claim the win here.
Unexpected Party at the double?published at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase Challenge Cup (2m)
Now then, who fancies picking a winner in this race?! With 20 runners and no short-priced favourite, this race is wide open.
The team of Harry and Dan Skelton claimed the spoils last year with 12-1 shot Unexpected Party - who is one of the leading contenders in this year's edition.
Going off 9lb lighter is Jazzy Matty. All of you Matts out there might fancy a punt on this one.
He would be a poignant winner having triumphed in the Fred Winter Hurdle two years ago under Michael O’Sullivan, the Irish jockey who died in a fall last month.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 16:36 Greenwich Mean Time
16:40 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1m 7f)
The next race is fast upon us! With five minutes to go until 20 horses gallop around the famous course, let's take a look at a little preview.
