Day one done and many things went as planned – two of the short priced favourites went in. Footpad dazzled and promises so much for the future.
But this was Champion Hurdle day and the headlines belonged to Buveur D’air.
Few saw any opposition to him, but he had to battle and it wasn’t Faugheen who put it up to him.
Some of the leading fancies failed to run to form, while the second and third appeared so show improved form. It looked a poor enough Champion, something confirmed by the time analysts.
Buveur D'air and Barry Geraghty (near side) get the better of Melon and Paul Townend (far side) to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
The Champion saw the beginning of the end of a former winner as Faugheen looks a shadow of the old “Machine”, and even a more up to three miles would seem a last roll of the dice, and on this evidence, no guarantee that it would see him back in the winner’s enclosure.
For Yorkhill, who many had down as a Ryanair or future Gold Cup winner, the future looks bleaker. He travelled ok for a time out the back but seemed to give it up after half way and looks to have fallen out of love with racing for a living.
It was hard not to think this was a blow par Champion, given how well Melon and Mick Jazz ran. Melon had looked a bit 'soft’ in his second place finishes last season but stuck to his guns here. You wonder how Labaik would have fared in this.
Elgin did as well as expected in fourth but Wicklow Brave should have done better.
SUPREME NOVICES
The first two emerge with credit – both trained in England. Kalashnikov is a beautiful looking horse with an admirable attitude, and gains more admiration with every run. He looked to have sealed a win with a fine jump at the last but Noel Fehily was strong on Summerville Boy – who confirmed Tolworth form on ground which was not supposed to suit the second.
Noel Fehily after winning the Supreme Novices Hurdle
Getabird was disappointing, he raced too keenly and was beaten two out and didn’t look an easy ride. It will be interesting to see him back right-handed.
Sharjah was not supposed to handle heavy ground according to his trainer but he was not disgraced in eighth. Paloma Blue never looked finishing any closer than fourth but was also keen early.
ARKLE
Footpad was not foot perfect – but he was all the better for that. His dive at the third down the back could have unsettled a lesser horse, especially as he’d never made a mistake before. Ruby Walsh may just have given him a sensible ride, but the fact is, he can always be relied upon to do so.
Right: Footpad and Ruby Walsh jump the last to win the Arkle Steeplechase
This didn’t seem to be Davy Russell’s best Festival ride, given the ground was heavy and Petit Mouchoir could be better on better ground. Saint Calvados capitulated very early, despite going off too fast.
What path Footpad takes next year will surely fill a good many newspaper columns - he could be the new Vautour.
ULTIMA CHASE
A deserved win for Lizzie Kelly after some bad luck and negative headlines last year. She was in front soon enough but held the admirable Shantou Flyer who won here for Colin Bowe and always seems to run well here. Likely to run in the Gold Cup but that looks a bit of a mad intention after running four miles here.
STAR PERFORMANCE
Footpad – on time, on performance, on style - no challengers
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