Lossiemouth and Kopek Des Bordes shine on day one
Five things we learned from Tuesday's action
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Lossiemouth streaks clear to win the Mares' Hurdle
No sport dishes up unscripted drama quite like racing
First came the shock, then came the awe as Lorcan Williams stunned the Cheltenham Festival into disbelieving silence.
Unbeaten Constitution Hill was meant to have the Champion Hurdle at his mercy, but when he fell as the field steamrollered towards home, you could hear collective hearts breaking and bookmakers heaving the biggest sigh of relief.
State Man, the defending champion, seized his opportunity alongside fellow Irish raider Brighterdaysahead but then clattered the last, spilling anguished jockey Paul Townend to the ground.
From nowhere, Williams, on the Jeremy Scott-trained Golden Ace, hit the front, crossing the line in a virtual hush. It’s fair to say there weren’t too many backers at his 25-1 price.
“I can’t really believe it — I didn’t even back her,” said owner Ian Gosden. “That’s jump racing. You’ve got to jump and be there at the end.”
All eyes on Punchestown
While the renewal of the Champion Hurdle didn't follow the predicted script, the Boodles Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival could be a cracker.
Lossiemouth's owner Rich Ricci and Constitution Hill's trainer Nicky Henderson both confirmed this would be their stars next target
"I know what we'll do next, let's have a fun day in Punchestown," said Henderson.
Henderson knows what it takes to win too, having guided Punjabi to glory in 2008 and Buveur d'Air to success in 2019.
The British are coming ... but so is Willie
Even regular festival goers were left scratching their heads for the last time the home trainers led the Prestbury Cup after day one, Irish handlers haven't lost since 2015.
The advantage is a narrow 4-3 at the end of day one - remember this is a marathon and not a sprint - but some things you can't change, with Willie Mullins leading the trainer standings, courtesy of wins for Kopek Des Bordes and Lossiemouth in the Supreme Novices' and Mares' Hurdle respectively.
Mullins revels reason for Lossiemouth race switch
Willie Mullins insisted he had no regrets about aiming Lossiemouth to take on her own sex, rather than contest the Champion Hurdle.
And he revealed a recent piece of work at Closutton had been the reason behind the decision.
"You've just got to look at where you get winners at Cheltenham, it's not easy, ever," he said.
"I was disappointed we didn't have a crack at the Champion Hurdle but I worked her against State Man the other day and it wasn't a Champion Hurdle bit of work, so this was the obvious target."
Mullins decision to put cheekpieces on Supreme winner Kopek Des Bordes attracted some chatter, his record with first time headgear at Cheltenham noteworthy.
But doubt the Champion Trainer at your peril, the future of this one is bright.
"That's the perfect start and he's a very, very good horse," he added. "I think he can go all the way, every day is a school day with him and he's growing up all the time. He's not the finished article."
O’Brien the man for the big occasion
Joseph O’Brien knows how to peak for the big occasion whether on flat or jumps.
It doesn’t matter if it’s the Melbourne Cup, Breeders’ Cup, Royal Ascot or Cheltenham – a trip to the winners’ enclosure will follow, as will taking a phone call almost as the horse crosses the line – a trait inherited from father Aidan.
He has more Festival winners than his dad and brought his tally to five when Puturhandstogether streaked clear under Mark Walsh to land the Fred Winter, keeping it in O’Brien’s hands following Lark In The Mornin’s win last year.
“Mark gave him a great ride as the pace was on, but he took a sit and let them all at it. I would say that was probably the difference,” he said.
“Any winner at Cheltenham is special. These big handicaps at Cheltenham you just have to take your chance and be as prepared as you can and hope you get a bit of luck on the day.”