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. Western Victory is into the lead now with seven to go. Rachael Blackmore on Telmesomethinggirl is towards the back of the field.

  2. Stormy Ireland is into the early lead with Heaven Help Us in second.

  3. They're off

    The Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle is under way.

  4. One for the Irish?

    Race preview: 16:10 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (2m 3f 200y)

    The Mares' Hurdle has been dominated by Ireland since its inception in 2008, with them taking home 13 of the 15 renewals.

    It's likely to be the same this year, with them dominating the market.

    Queens Brook - who was third in the Champion Bumper in 2020, so has solid course form - has been shortening and a solid price since Monday's declarations.

    She represents Gordon Elliott, while Willie Mullins has Stormy Ireland, Echoes in Rain and Burning Victory all in the top five in the market. The latter edged out Queens Brook last time out, but many are expecting the Elliott mare to improve for the run.

    This race could also be one of Henry de Bromhead's and Rachael Blackmore's best chances with Telmesomethinggirl - the winner of last year's Mares Novice Hurdle - featuring high in the market too. She was displaced as favourite this morning though, so the vibes aren't necessarily rock solid.

    Telmesomethinggirl wins the Mares Novices Hurdle at the 2021 Cheltenham FestivalGetty Images

    Telmesomethinggirl was an impressive five-and-a-half length winner at last year's festival

  5. The show goes on and there's three more races left today:

    16:10: Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle 2m 3f 200y

    16:50: Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 2m 87y

    17:30: Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Novices' Chase 3m 5f 201y

  6. 'Different gravy this year'

    Honeysuckle's trainer Henry de Bromhead on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: "I am over the moon. I am ecstatic - it was unbelievable. It was amazing to win it last year but to have the crowds and Kenny and Caroline is just different gravy! I am lost for words.

    "I was happy all the way - she jumped really well and Rachael opted to stay inside which I was happy with. The only time I was unhappy was approaching the last with Epatante approaching."

  7. 'Electric'

    Frankie Dettori, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "What a beautiful start to the Cheltenham Festival. I like these big sporting moments and I am sure we are going to have many more winners in the next few days.

    "The buzz is amazing and to top it off with this great win. Electric."

  8. 15 out of 15

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  9. 'Smashed it'

    Honeysuckle's owner Kenny Alexander on ITV: "I was relieved. I thought she was too short and my bottle crashed a little bit. Henry deserves enormous credit - he is a great guy to own a horse with. He's an amazing training performance to get here. Rachael smashed it today."

  10. 'It is the never-ending fairytale'

    Honeysuckle's trainer Henry de Bromhead on ITV: "Unreal. It is incredible to get the roar and I just hoped that she would get it. I'm delighted for the owners - they are amazing supporters of ours.

    "She's incredible - it is the never-ending fairytale. I always prepare for myself for it to end but it never does.

    "If goodwill and all the good lucks could win you a race she'd have won by a furlong because I think most people here will willing her to win. The support we get for her is just mental. You have to pinch yourself with how lucky you are to train a horse like her."

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  11. Rapturous reception

    Frank Keogh
    BBC Sport at Cheltenham

    That was quite a welcome into the winners' enclosure for Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore.

    They were denied the cheers of thousands when winning last year behind closed doors. This time Blackmore saluted the crowd and beamed a wide smile.

  12. Sir AP McCoy on ITV: "Rachael [Blackmore] was tactically very good - there was more pressure on her than there has ever been. She was able to get a W and that's what it is all about."

  13. 'A special day'

    Kenny Alexander, winning owner, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live sports extra: "She did it. There were a few doubters but she has done it today. I wasn't here last year, but an amazing thrill.

    "If you don't get nervous today, what is the point in owning them? I always get nervous. Today we were well revved up. It is rock and roll.

    "I've got my wife here. First time at Cheltenham. Very, very special day. I am glad all the crowd here as well. A dream horse."

  14. 'She's just incredible'

    Rachael Blackmore, winning jockey on Honeysuckle, on ITV: "It is just incredible. Walking out in front of the stands with all the people, it's such a special place. I'm so lucky to ride winners here and this mare. She's just incredible.

    "She kind of decides in a race when she's happy to go and I haven't stopped her yet. She's an incredible mare. The work that goes into at home is just unbelievable and they deserve all the credit as well."

  15. Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore pass the grandstand and there is a huge roar from the fans, deserved adulation for another brilliant display.

  16. 'What a performance'

    Andrew Thornton
    Former Gold Cup-winning jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    You could feel the tension coming down to the last. What Rachael must be feeling I don't know. I think relief more than anything. What a performance.

    An exceptional mare, ridden by an exceptional jockey.

  17. Result

    15:30 - Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

    1. Honeysuckle

    2. Epatante

    3. Zanahiyr

    4. Saint Roi

    Full result

    10 ran.

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

    Honeysuckle jumped the last brilliantly and Epatante didn't. Listen to the roar!

  19. Brilliant once again from Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore, and this time they will get the applause from the Cheltenham crowd they deserve.

    Superb!

  20. Honeysuckle wins!
    Breaking

    Honeysuckle wins the Champion Hurdle again!