Summary

  • Mare Honeysuckle retains her Champion Hurdle title for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead

  • Champion Hurdle: Honeysuckle (8-11 F), Epatante (16-1), Zanahiyr (28-)

  • Ultima: Corach Rambler (10-1), Gericault Roque (9-1), Oscar Elite (22-1)

  • Arkle: Edwardstone (5-2 F), Gabynako (25-1), Blue Lord (4-1)

  • Supreme Novices Hurdle: Constitution Hill (9-4 CF), Jonbon (5-1), Kilcruit (6-1)

  • Mares' Hurdle: Marie's Rock (18-1), Queens Brook (4-1), Mrs Milner (14-1)

  • Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: Brazil (10-1), Gaelic Warrior (13-8 F), Bell Ex One (28-1)

  • National Hunt Novices' Chase: Stattler (2-1), Run Wild Fred (15-8 F), Vanillier (11-4)

  • Irish runners beat British trainers 23-5 in 2021

  • Fans return after missing 2021 Festival because of Covid-19 pandemic

Live Reporting

Gary Rose and Callum Matthews

  1. That's all from us for today but we will be back with build up and coverage of day two from 12:45 GMT.

    See you then!

  2. One to watch out for on Wednesday

    Queen Mother Champion Chase (13:30 GMT): Henderson's Shishkin and Energumene, for Mullins - who also runs Chacun Pour Soi - renew rivalry after the former won their first clash at Ascot which was hailed as one of the great races of recent years. Last year's winner Put The Kettle On and runner-up Nube Negra return.

    Cross Country Chase (16:10 GMT): Will two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll bow out with a record-equalling sixth Festival win? Trainer Elliott is back at the Festival having served a six-month suspension after being pictured sat on a dead horse.

  3. Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore win second Champion Hurdle

    .Getty Images

    The story of the day was Rachael Blackmore riding Honeysuckle to a thrilling second consecutive Champion Hurdle win.

    Read Frank Keogh's report on that race and the rest of the day's action here.

  4. There we have it. Day one done and dusted and what an opening day it was. Here's a reminder of all of today's winners.

    13:30 - Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle - Constitution Hill (9/4 Fav)

    14:10 - Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase - Edwardstone (5/2 Fav)

    14:50 - Ultima Handicap Chase - Corach Rambler (10/1)

    15:30 - Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy - Honeysuckle (8/11 Fav)

    16:10 - Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle - Marie's Rock (18/1)

    16:50 - Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle - Brazil (10/1)

    17:30 - Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Novices' Chase - Stattler (2/1)

  5. Charlie Poste
    Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    He was as impressive there as Galvin was last year and he's in the Gold Cup this year.

  6. A day one winner for Willie Mullins in the final race of the day, although it took a while longer to arrive than many perhaps expected.

  7. Charlie Poste
    Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Stattler has bolted up in the end.

    I was struggling to call who was going well and wouldn't wasn't throughout - it seemed to be changing.

    Stattler came alive under Patrick Mullins on the last circuit and he absolutely winged the last fence.

  8. Result

    17:30 - Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Novices' Chase

    1. Stattler 2/1

    2. Run Wild Fred 15/8 Fav

    3. Vanillier 11/4

    4. Beatthebullet 100/1

    Full result

    Six ran.

  9. John Hunt
    Race commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Stattler jumped the last brilliantly and Run Wild Fred just had nothing left to give.

  10. Stattler wins
    Breaking

    Stattler storms away to win the Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Novices' Chase comfortably.

  11. And Stattler is into the lead approaching the final fence.

  12. Not much now between Run Wild Fred and Stattler as we approach the home turn.

  13. Vanillier, backmarker for a while, is making a move through the small field now. Up to third.

  14. Run Wild Fred remains out in front but it is starting to close up a bit five from the finish.

  15. Charlie Poste
    Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Run Wild Fred has got into a fantastic rhythm and Jamie Codd will be very happy. Stattler and Patrick Mullins likewise, but Vanillier has been a little bit sloppy.

  16. Over 14 with Run Wild Fred leading by two lengths but all are jumping well at the moment.

  17. A mistake by Braeside over fence 11 and he drops away before pulling up.

  18. A good leap over the open ditch by Run Wild Fred as the favourite leads.

  19. The field clears number six with Beatthebullet and Run Wild Fred opening up a bit of a gap out in front.

  20. Charlie Poste
    Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    The small field makes it easier for horses with less experience. Usually in this race you get a lot of horses who might not have a chance getting in the way, but we shouldn't have that today.