Locals settle for second best on day one of Cheltenham festival

It was a day of frustration for Meath connections on the opening day of the Cheltenham festival today as trainers Gordon Elliott and Gavin Cromwell had to settle for three second placed finishes between them.

However Cromwell was delighted with his second placed finisher Gabynako, who he supplemented at the cost of £8,000, in the Grade 1 Arkle Novice Chase which was won impressively by 5/2 favourite Edwardstone.

Cromwell's mount was ridden by Dunshaughlin jockey Keith Donoghue and the Danestown trainer was delighted with the result after he and the made the decision to supplement Gabynako, despite him initially being entered in the two other novice chases,

“I suppose it has paid off (supplementing) as that was a fantastic run. He travelled well through the race and coming down the hill he was still on the bridle," said Cromwell.

“Look, the winner was very good but he’s the best of the Irish which is great. A fast-run two miles, certainly here with the hill, is fine but he’s fine over two and a half as well. I suppose we have to think of Punchestown for him now,” concluded Cromwell.

The Bective Stud-owned Riviere d'etel was fifth, eight and a half lengths behind Gabynako.

In the opening Supreme Novices Hurdle Nicky Henderson led home a one-two with the Barry Geraghty bred Constitution Hill strolling to victory 22 lengths ahead of Jonbon.

Elliott's Mighty Potter was pulled up before the third last.

There was more disappointment for Elliott in the Handicap Chase as Death Duty was sixth, just over 12 lengths behind Corach Rambler.

Elliott's other contender in the race, Floueur, finished 10th, while Dunsany's Andrew Lynch saddled Ben Dundee to 11th with Jessica Harrington's Discordantly pulled up by jockey Robbie Power.

Honeysuckle finally got the Irish off the mark at the Festival producing another stunning run under Rachawel Blackmore to win the Champion Hurdle by three and a half lengths from Epatante.

Elliott and Bective Stud had to settle for third as Zanahiyar ran a spirited race under jockey Jack Kennedy.

Elliott's other mount in the feature race of the day, Teahupoo, was last of the 10 runners under Power.

Nicky Henderson spoiled Bective Stud's bid for a first winner at the Festival when Marie's Rock headed the Elliott-trained Queens Brook under Kennedy in the Mares' Hurdle.

The 18-1 winner, owned by Middleham Park Racing, collared Queens Brook up the hill to win a dramatic renewal of the Grade One contest over two and a half miles.

It was all to play for when Indefatigable fell at the second-last flight, bringing down Telmesomethinggirl, for the Honeysuckle connections of owner Kenny Alexander, trainer Henry de Bromhead and jockey Rachael Blackmore.

Queens Brook was left in the lead, but she was soon hard pressed by Marie’s Rock, who proved the stronger to get the verdict by a length and three-quarters.

The Juvenile Handicap Hurdle was won by trainer Padraig Roche, son of former champion jockey Christy, who saddled Brazil to victory with his first runner in England.

The best of Elliott's five horses in the race was Bective Stud's Iberique Du Seuil in seventh who made no impression after a mistake at the last.

Elliott's other entries were 15th (The Tide Turns), 17th (Doctor Churchill), 20th (Ebasari) and 21st and last (Britzka). Cromwell was also represented in the race, but White Pepper finished 19th.

Elliott had high hopes for his Irish Grand National runner-up Run Wild Fred in the closing amateur jockeys Novice chase, but once again he had to settle for eight lengths second behind Willie Mullins' Stattler. Cromwell's Vanillier was third a further 22 lengths behind.

Maybe Meath connections might have better luck tomorrow.