BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

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Winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan: "The horse is incredible. We didn't go very quick, I was in a fine position, I was where I wanted to be and I'm very lucky to be on that horse's back. I'm confident in my own ability without being overconfident and I'm riding good horses for good people."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

The atmosphere was electric as punters cheered on an Irish 1-2-3 in the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle. In fact, the first EIGHT were trained in Ireland.

Marine Nationale justified the long-term confidence of owner and trainer Barry Connell, to win by three and a quarter lengths from Facile Vega,

Winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan was having only his second ride at the Cheltenham Festival, but showed few nerves. "He's unreal, a superstar," said Connell.

This is a real dream come true for the jockey. He contacted Connell last year to see if he could ride the horse in a bumper at Punchestown and having won on that occasion has stayed in the saddle and this is a fiffh win out of five.

Winning trainer Barry Connell tells ITV Racing: "I put my neck above the parapet and said he was a weapon. We have never had a stayer as quick as this. Everything worked to plan and we are coming back tomorrow for a double.

"Michael is unreal - a future star.

"I was lucky enough to ride two winners at the November meeting and I didn't think anything could surpass that."

What a setting!

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One down, six to go.

Result - Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, 2m 1/2f - Marine Nationale (9-2)

14:10- Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase, 2m

14:50- Ultima Handicap Chase, 3m 1f

15:30- Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, 2m 1/2f

16:10- Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, 2m 4f

16:50- Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, 2m 4 1/2f

17:30- National Hunt Chase (Novices' Chase, amateur jockeys), 3m

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Winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan, speaking to ITV Racing: "Unbelievable. A massive relief. I am so, so lucky to get on this horse. We are having an amazing season. The horse is just incredible. He actually won easy."

1 Marine Nationale (Michael O'Sullivan) 9-2

2 Facile Vega (Paul Townend) 9-4 Fav

3 Diverge (Mr P W Mullins) 25-1

14 ran

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Marine Nationale comes through to take the victory!

Facile Vega finishes second with Diverge third.

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On the run to the final flight and Facile Vega moves into the lead but stumbles over the hurdle and Marine Nationale looks to take advantage!

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Over the second last and the field is bunching up with Facile Vega moving into contention.

Chasing Fire is lurking in third as the field heads up the hill. Facile Vega is starting to improve.

High Definition has Rare Edition for company out in front. All over the latest hurdle safely with five to go.

Facile Vega in midfield in the early stages of the race as High Definition leads the way.

The flag is raised, there's the Cheltenham roar and they are off!

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Facile Vega begins this race as the favourite as the field heads towards the start for the first.

Here we go then. Just under five minutes until the first race and moments away from hearing that famous Cheltenham roar.

Tahmuras was first into the paddock and is certainly a fine-looking horse. A good shout for this race? Soft ground should be in his favour.

The Supreme Novices Hurdle kicks off the day's action and provides an early chance for trainer Willie Mullins to get off the mark.

He saddles Facile Vega, the winner of last year’ Champion Bumper and who will be aiming to return to winning ways after a disappointing run last time out at Leopardstown with jockey Paul Townend keeping faith that he can bounce back.

"I am happy that he is in good form and doing everything right," Mullins told ITV Racing.

"I think there will be a good true gallop here and that will help him."

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The biggest challenge could come from stablemate Il Etait Temps, who beat Facile Vega last time out having lost to his rival in December.

But the unbeaten Marine Nationale might be the one to spoil the Mullins party – his jockey Michael O’Sullivan is only riding in his second Festival race on a horse owned and trained by Barry Connell.

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The most successful Cheltenham Festival trainer of all time, Willie Mullins, was out early this morning as he prepares to add to his 88 wins.

The favourite to be leading trainer across the four days has a busy start to the Festival with four Mullins-trained contenders in the opening race alone.

Dark Raven, Diverge, Facile Vega, Il Etait Temps all go in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as Mullins bids for a record-extending eighth win.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Only one place jockeys, trainers and owners want to be this week - the Cheltenham winner's enclosure.

Despite an unsettled forecast, the sun shone on the course earlier today, although the official going was described as SOFT.

The afternoon is expected to be largely dry, although there could be occasional showers with temperatures then dropping to -1C/-2C overnight, before rising above freezing by 08.00 GMT on Wednesday