THE opening race of Cheltenham’s new season saw Irish raiders in complete control with a 1-2-3 as Dermot McLoughlin’s Canardier led home Go Another One and Make My Heart Fly.

A highly competitive affair, with all eight of them previous winners, this Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle saw Go Another One make a brave bid for John McConnell and Sean Bowen. Still in front approaching the last, he met it perfectly but was immediately challenged by Barry Geraghty on the winner, who made the most of his 3lb concession and went on to score by just over two lengths with the third six lengths away. The market was spot-on, with Canardier made 6/4 favourite ahead of Go Another One on 5/2.