Day One of the Cheltenham Festival

Following plenty of deliberation, connections of Lossiemouth decided to allow the mare to line up in the Champion Hurdle and the decision was vindicated. The seven year old was fitted with cheekpieces for the first time and, having sat in behind long time leader Brighterdaysahead, Paul Townend's mount was unleashed between the final two flight. Pulling clear, she was full value for her six and a half lengths victory. Willie Mullins was winning hurdling's blue riband for a sixth time. Last year's Festival winner The New Lion ran well in third but lacked a change of gear in the homestraight. The Aintree Hurdle next month would seem a logical target for Dan Skelton's runner but he will be hard pressed to turn the tables with the winner if they both meet in Liverpool. 

To say it was a frustrating day for followers of the One Jump Ahead Festival Update would be an understatement. The selections in the Supreme Novice Hurdle were disappointing to say the least. Both lacked hurdling experience beforehand and that was borne out. Kopek Des Bordes looked all set to win the Arkle Trophy jumping to the front at the second last. However, the Mullins runner made a mistake at the last which brought him to a standstill. That allowed stablemate Kargese to take advantage. Following an early mistake, Kopek jumped beautifully down the backstraight and appear to be toying with his rivals approaching the hometurn - it looked like a repeat of Gaelic Warrior's victory in the race two years earlier. However, it all changed at the final fence.

Then, to provide the icing on the cake, Jagwar and Quebecois finished second and third in the Ultima Handicap Chase. The latter ran a cracker on only his fifth run over fences jumping superbly for Harry Cobden only to get reel in after the last by Johnnywho. The former was placed at Cheltenham for a third time this season. Once again, the seven year old didn't help himself with a few errors early on which resulted in him being a long way back. Kept wide and creeping into contention, Mark Walsh's mount moved up strongly coming down the hill. Beaten half a length, perhaps he would have won with a better jump at the second last.

The juvenile handicap hurdle was won by Saratago, who was nominated at 12/1 in the February Update. Unfortunately, following a change of heart, I decided to follow Nicky Henderson's pair. Manlaga had won impressively at Haydock last time lost her chance with a sluggish start and was always playing catch up.

Just a couple of thoughts on the opening day. Consistent with recent years, the starts in the later races were as shambolic as ever and it remains a mystery how there wasn't a stewards' enquiry following the finish in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Mydaddypaddy was beaten a length and a half and a nose in third having received a hefty bump by the winner Old Park Star after the last. Harry Skelton's mount was mounting his challenge when impeded. There is no doubt it cost him second position and it could be argued he may have won with an uninterrupted run. 

It was interesting to hear owner Gordon Hall's comments after the race following Old Park Star's success. When asked about the change of stables last summer, he said moving their horses to Nicky Henderson was 'like a breath of fresh air.' Very classy considering Paul Nicholls bought the horse as a store and trained him during his bumper career.

Finally, the late Arthur Stephenson said 'little fish are sweet' and away from the Festival, Las Canals (33/1) won the two miles one maiden hurdle at Sedgefield. The Cokoriko gelding features in the French Revolution section in OJA and, having run below par on his UK debut at Hereford before Christmas, he showed his true worth here coming home strongly to lead on the run-in.