Postpublished at 15:41 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
And they're off in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle!
Summary
Rachael Blackmore, on Honeysuckle (11-10f), becomes first woman to ride Champion Hurdle winner
80-1 Jeff Kidder wins Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Challenge Cup Novices' Chase won by Galkvin (7-2)
Black Tears (11-1) wins Mares' Hurdle; 28-1 win for Ryan Mania on Vintage Clouds
Arkle Chase victory for Shishkin (4-9f); Appreciate It (5-6f) wins Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Postpublished at 15:41 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Postpublished at 15:38 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Three bankers have delivered so far today, will Concertista make it four? She's the odds-on favourite.
'She is a prima donna'published at 15:37 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Honeysuckle's trainer Henry de Bromhead on 5 Live Sports Extra: "It's amazing - brilliant for Honey and Rachael and I'm delighted for the owner, Kenny Alexander.
"Rachael is as good a jockey as anyone and Honeysuckle is an incredible mare and has gone into a different zone in the last year. She is tough and the ultimate professional, but a prima donna.
"Fair play to everyone to have set up the protocols so racing can go ahead. We are lucky to be here."
Next Up...published at 15:33 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
15:40 Close Brothers Mares Hurdle (2m 4f)
Willie Mullins is the king of the Mares Hurdle with nine wins since its inception in 2008 and Concertista looks like a good bet to make it victory number 10.
She won at last year's Festival and followed up with successes at both Fairyhouse and Leopardstown just before the turn of the year, beating rivals Minella Melody, Black Tears and My Sister Sarah.
The 2019 winner Roksana could be the big rival from the brothers Skelton - trainer Dan and jockey Harry - and despite being the oldest horse in the race at nine, has improved with age.
Image source, Getty Images'Heart-warming'published at 15:27 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Andrew Thornton
Former Gold Cup-winning jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraIt's heart-warming and the ride Rachael gave Honeysuckle, keeping her out of trouble and seeing what was ahead, it was perfect.
She was able to slot into the gap and ride the race she wanted to and it couldn't have been any better.
Image source, PA Media'Different gravy'published at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Katie Walsh
Former jockey Katie Walsh on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
Image source, PA MediaShe has had some horrible falls. She is as hard as nails and to be able to bounce up, dust yourself and get back up again - I couldn't have taken the falls she did. She really is different gravy.
Rachael will always be associated with Honeysuckle - that's 11/11 and she is only getting better.
'A joyous day'published at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraI think it is a joyous day for racing. Seeing these achievements - Rachael Blackmore is as good as any jockey right now and the partnership with Honeysuckle is a joy to behold.
This is a story that highlights all that is good in our sport.
'It is history'published at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Katie Walsh
Former jockey Katie Walsh on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraAbsolutely brilliant. I just think it is brilliant. She deserves this so much. She works hard and it is history.
I am delighted for the person she is and she is a credit to the sport and a fantastic jockey.
She has brought it to another level. It is great and so special to be watching on.
'Rachael was amazing'published at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead is speaking to ITV Sport with his phone pinging alert after alert as the messages of congratulations come flooding in.
"It is amazing," he says. "You dream about it. Honeysuckle is amazing and what a partnership she has with Rachael, who was amazing. She was so cool throughout the race."
'Absolutely incredible'published at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Winning jockey and history maker Rachael Blackmore, speaking to ITV Racing: "Absolutely incredible. I am speechless to be honest. I really am. I can't believe we just won the Champion Hurdle. Incredible! Unbelievable for everyone in the yard, they all work so hard.
"She’s so straightforward to ride. It’s very easy to do things when you know you’ve a big engine underneath you.
"It doesn't matter what you are. We are jockeys. It is just a privilege to be here."
'A perfect combination'published at 15:14 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraRachael Blackmore - what a fantastic jockey she is and it is the perfect combination with Honeysuckle
They were caught for speed going down the hill but then away she went and jumped brilliantly
Blackmore makes historypublished at 15:11 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Breaking
Image source, PA MediaHoneysuckle pulled away for a dominant win as Rachael Blackmore makes racing history, becoming the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle.
Superb!
Resultpublished at 15:11 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
15:05 Unibet Champion Hurdle
1 Honeysuckle (Rachael Blackmore) 11-10 Fav
2 Sharjah (P Townend) 11-1
3 Epatante (Aidan Coleman) 4-1
10 ran
Honeysuckle winspublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
BreakingHoneysuckle wins the Champion Hurdle!
Postpublished at 15:09 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Goshen hanging badly to the right. He's brought back onto the racing line but that's going to cost him.
Silver Streak leads but Honeysuckle moving now...
Postpublished at 15:08 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Abacadabras falls at flight number three as Silver Streak leads ahead of Goshen.
Postpublished at 15:07 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
They're off!
Silver Streak, Not So Sleepy and Goshen the three towards the front with Honeysuckle fifth at the moment.
Postpublished at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Not long to go now.
Rachael Blackmore, on Honeysuckle, could be just moments away from making history as the first female rider to win the Champion Hurdle.
Image source, PA MediaA model of consistencypublished at 14:58 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Former jockey Katie Walsh tells 5 Live Sports Extra: "It's strange for everyone not to have their support network around them this year.
"But we are all there in one form or another.
"Honeysuckle was never overly flashy before the Irish Champion Hurdle but there she galloped everyone into the ground and it was her best performance. But she is consistent and consistency makes a good horse.
"Rachael will be looking forward to getting out there. I think she wants to go out there and do her job. I think she wants to be one of the lads and be treated like one of the lads. It is a level playing field out there and she'd like it to be like that off the track."
Punters sweet on Honeysucklepublished at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021
Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at CheltenhamMoney has been coming all day for one horse in the Champion Hurdle - Honeysuckle - and the 5-4 favourite is one of the two top picks for today from former jockey Andrew Thornton, who is part of the BBC radio team.
Here's his selections
15:05 - Honeysuckle is 10/10 so far. Won here last year and with the 7lb mares' allowance gets my vote with the ultra-confident Rachael Blackmore on board.
16:50 - Galvin is up in trip, which should be a huge plus, as pedigree suggests it will see more improvement.