They're off... eventuallypublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
The tape is back in place... and finally they are off!
Summary
Tiger Roll wins Glenfarclas Chase - his fifth Festival success
Rachael Blackmore - the star of day one - has two victories
Put The Kettle On takes Queen Mother Champion Chase
33-1 shot Heaven Help Us triumphs in Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
Heavy favourite Monkfish wins Novices' Chase
They're off... eventuallypublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Postpublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraSometimes jockeys have a lack of faith that the starter will hold firm to the rules so in a race as competitive as this you can't take a chance to be the good person, you've got to go in.
Postpublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Expect chaos during the race, and before too with a couple of false starts...
'Ultra competitive'published at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraI quite like Koshari - I think he was unlucky last time out. It is ultra-competitive though.
'A wide-open contest'published at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Andrew Thornton
Former Gold Cup-winning jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraIt will be fast and furious.
Grand Roi is my idea of someone who could win - the step up in trip should be right up his street.
It is a wide-open content though.
Postpublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Twenty six runners for this one and they are on their way down to the start.
Postpublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
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End of twitter post'He'll be a fantastic chaser'published at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Former football manager Harry Redknapp, pictured at Cheltenham in 2020
Harry Redknapp, owner of Shakem Up'arry - who is running in the next race - talking to BBC Sport 5 Live Sports Extra: "I'm hopeful - Ben Pauling (the trainer) think he's got a chance. I would love to see him run well. He's come up against some good horses - Shishkin who we were favourite to beat in the past. I'm really hopeful of a good run. But, the most important thing is him coming back safe and sound. We think he'll be a fantastic chaser so that is the long-term plan."
Drop a pin in them...published at 14:22 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
14:30: Coral Cup Hurdle (2m 5f)
As is often the case at the Cheltenham Festival, today's first handicap race is an absolute stinker for punters.
It's a 26-runner field, and there is plenty of value to be had.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Craigneiche is towards the head of the market - he's been raised 12lb for an impressive win at Ascot last time out, which Henderson has said will make things tricky today.
The Seven Barrows trainer comes mob-handed though with Monte Cristo, Birchdale and Janika all running.
Grand Roi, trained by Denise Foster, is also popular in the betting, having only been beaten by Bachasson this season.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Guard Your Dreams has won three races this season and has also shortened significantly overnight.
Nine of the last 12 winners have been aged between five and seven and rated 140-plus. Good luck.
Image source, Getty Images'Most nerve-wracking race I've watched!'published at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Image source, PA MediaMonkfish trainer Willie Mullins, speaking to ITV Racing: "It was heart stopping!
"When he made a mistake at the last it was hard to watch. He put a quick one in early and it unsettled him and he missed another one.
"That was probably the most nerve-wracking race I’ve ever watched."
'Not perfect, but enough'published at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Winning jockey Paul Townend, speaking to ITV Racing: "It wasn’t perfect today but it was enough.
"I was a bit relieved, early on in the race we weren’t on the same wavelength. It’s a lot of pressure riding these fancied horses. Don’t get me wrong I know how lucky I am to ride them but you have to perform on them."
Postpublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Andrew Thornton
Former Gold Cup-winning jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraThe loose horse just intimidated Monkfish and The Big Breakaway a bit, but that is horse racing for you.
Monkfish wouldn't have given Paul Townend the same spin today, as he does normally, so there is still room for improvement.
Resultpublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
13:55 - Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
1 Monkfish (Paul Townend) 1-4 fav
2 Fiddlerontheroof (Robbie Power) 40-1
3 The Big Breakaway (Harry Cobden) 12-1
Six ran
'Looked like a little boy lost today'published at 14:04 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports ExtraIt was far from flawless but his reputation is still intact because it shows what an engine he had to overcome those mistakes. He looked very novicey, like a little boy lost today. He was nowhere near as sure-footed as we've seen.
Image source, PA MediaMonkfish winspublished at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
BreakingMonkfish overcomes a scrappy jump on the final fence and wins the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase!
The riderless horse unsettled Monkfish heading towards the finish but he still managed to pull it out of the bag and finish clear of Fiddlerontheroof.
Postpublished at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
John Hunt
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra commentatorMonkfish has had a scare or two along the way.
Postpublished at 14:02 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
Eklat De Rire falls with seven to go. Meanwhile, Monkfish and The Big Breakaway are pulling away a bit out in front.
Image source, PA MediaPostpublished at 14:02 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
John Hunt
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra commentatorThe Big Breakaway has more than played his part in this race.
What a race he is putting in.
Postpublished at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
The Big Breakaway is into the lead at halfway after a poor jump by Monkfish.
Postpublished at 13:59 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2021
John Hunt
BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra commentatorMonkfish is in the groove. He is starting to really turn it on.