Amid the clouds, Epatante emerges to shine brightest in the Champion Hurdle

THE anticipation that forever accompanies the beginning of the Cheltenham Festival brought with it endless observations about the weakness of the two-mile hurdling division but a new star emerged in the opening day feature courtesy of Epatante.

Her victory was no less meritorious than those achieved by many other Champion Hurdle winners of recent times and the manner in which she has progressed throughout the season suggests that she will be a formidable foe for any would be pretenders to her crown next term. The fact that she has become just the sixth mare in the race’s history to win the Champion Hurdle says a great deal about her abilities and, looking to the future, it is worth remembering that this race was only the ninth of her career.

The opening day served up a pair of epic finishes with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle providing the meeting with a perfect curtain raiser. Abacadabras could be counted unfortunate to have found himself in front as soon as he did but Shishkin would have been a desperately unlucky loser. He showed more than a touch of prodigious potential to overcome such trouble in running and he is unquestionably a stellar chaser in the making.

Perhaps the mares’ division has lacked the sort of rivalry Honeysuckle and Benie Des Dieux stirred up but the pairing of these two star performers could light up this sector for some time to come.

Elsewhere, Jamie Codd yet again showed how he excels at Cheltenham aboard Gordon Elliott’s Ravenhill and it represents an achievement of some substance for the decorated amateur to have notched up 10 victories at this meeting.

Ravenhill’s success was one of several efforts on the day which indicate just how good summer jumping can be. This gelding won his first race over fences in the comparatively humble surrounds of Limerick in late May and just two weeks previously Put The Kettle On made a winning start over fences at Kilbeggan. Her route to Cheltenham also took in winning appearances at Tipperary, Downpatrick and Wexford which has to represent a unique route to Arkle Chase glory.

Lastly, why have false starts become such an integral part of the opening day of the Festival? Three out of the first four races featured a false start and this is entirely avoidable

The attendance for the day came in at 60,664 which was down 7271 on the corresponding day last year.

News

Irish Grand National target

GORDON Elliott suggested that Novices’ Handicap Chase runner-up Galvin and National Hunt Chase winner Ravenhill could go for the Irish Grand National next.

Darver to Aintree

GAVIN Cromwell was delighted with the effort of Darver Star who has come such a long way since he was placed in a Wexford maiden hurdle on St Patrick’s Day a year ago. He could now head for the Aintree Hurdle. Gordon Elliott also confirmed Abacadabras will go to Punchestown for the Grade 1 two-mile novice hurdle on his next start.

Jacob ban

DARYL Jacob was banned for five days for using his whip when out of contention on Fusil Raffles in the Champion Hurdle.