The Cheltenham Festival 2024 continued on Wednesday despite the soggy conditions.
And it began with red-hot favourite Ballyburn destroying the field in the opener - the Novices Hurdle - to hand Willie Mullins his 98th Cheltenham Festival winner.
The 1-2 favourite was one of five runners for the all-conquering Mullins and travelled strongly behind the leaders under Paul Townend. When the field rounded the final bend there was no question whatsoever as to the outcome, with the Ronnie Bartlett-owned six-year-old strolling away from stablemate Jimmy Du Seuil to win by a yawning 13 lengths.
Another Closutton runner, Ile Atlantique, was a further three and a half lengths back in third. Just for good measure Mullins was also responsible for Mercurey (fourth) and Predators Gold (fifth).
Elsewhere, Nicky Henderson has been hit hard with confirmation that neither Shishkin or Champ will be running this week. A statement on Shishkin said: “Very sadly it will not be possible for Shishkin to run in the Gold Cup on Friday. He was scoped as have all our potential runners this week, but unfortunately he has shown an unsatisfactory picture on which he couldn’t possibly run.
Willie Mullins bags a Naas treble despite flop of £430,000 star
“He appears to be 100 per cent in himself and has been working and schooling better than ever and we were really looking forward to Friday, it is hoped that along with all the other non-participants this week that they will be back in time for Aintree or Punchestown.
Despite that, there’s still plenty of racing going on. Keep up with all of the winners from the second day of the Cheltenham Festival:
13:45 - The Gallagher Novices Hurdle Race
1) Ballyburn - 1/2 FAV
2) Jimmy Du Seuill - 50/1
3) Ile Atlantique 13/2
Jockey Paul Townend said: “That was a fair feeling. It’s not a big field but I respect alot of the horses in behind and he’s blown them out the water. He’s a wow horse, for sure.”
Elsewhere, Mullins was also full of praise for the victor. He said: “It’s the first time he’s wowed me, I thought ‘wow, what a performance’ and to me that was a Champion Hurdle performance.
“It was really really spectacular. With his size, scope and pedigree our owners might decide to go chasing with him next year, I don’t know. But with that performance he can go anywhere. Our team are in flying form, but we are just so sorry for Nicky Henderson that he has had to pull his good horses out. It could be us, so our sympathies go to him.”
14:30 - The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase
1) Fact To File - 8/11 FAV
2) Monty’s Star - 11/2
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3) Giovinco 40/1
Mark Walsh said: "It’s easy when you’re riding a horse like this round here. He winged the last two and had so much in the tank up the hill. This lad is a class horse and it looks like we have a good one on our hands."
Owner JP McManus added: “I was nervous and I thought he got a little warm and on his toes beforehand. I think Mark did a great job to get him settled and I think he will learn a lot from that race, I’m just relieved.
“It’s all in front of him and when Willie decided to go straight chasing with him I had no objection, it sounded good to me. It has been vindicated.”
15:15 - The Coral Cup Hurdle
1) Langer Dan - 13-2
2) Ballyadam 13-2
3) Shanbally Kid 12-1
Langer Dan trainer Dan Skelton said: "I couldn't be prouder of a result; a brilliant team effort. After Cheltenham last year he then had a terrible winter, bled on one occasion, had ulcers, had surgery... He's quirky, a character, but what a character!"
16:00 - The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase
1) Captain Guinness 17-2
2) Gentleman De Mee 16-1
3) Funambule Sivola 100-1
Captain Guiness jockey Rachael Blackmore said: "He travelled incredibly, jumped really well but it felt like a long hill! He's enthusiastic...has been knocking at the door in these races but, man, this is the best in the division... So pleased for owner Declan Landy."
16:50 - The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
1) Unexpected Party 9-1
2) Libberty Hunter 5-1
3) Path D'oroux 11-1
Unexpected Party trainer Dan Skelton said: "I thought he had a chance today but no more than a chance. A great ride."
17:30 - The Weatherbys Champion Bumper
1) Jasmin De Vaux 9-2
2) Romeo Coolio 22/1
3) Jalon D'oudairies 10/3 FAV
Trainer Willie Mullins on his 100th win at Cheltenham: “It’s a wonderful day, it’s fantastic. As much I enjoy what’s happening, I think of my colleague and fellow trainer Nicky Henderson and what’s happened with his yard this week.
"That’s always a worry that we have in the two or three weeks coming up to Cheltenham, that something will come in and bite you from outside. As much as we’re enjoying it, I don’t know how he must be feeling.
"You want competition and it must be gutting for him. You’d like good opposition to have fun with because I’m sure he would have beaten us a few times this week.”
Mullins added: “I thought my lifetime achievement was when I had a winner here in Cheltenham in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle back in 1995 and who ever dreamt any trainer, never mind me, could do it .
“The team of owners we have help and I can’t train winners without a team of owners who have horses and then the team from my wife Jackie, to David Casey, Patrick, Ruby (Walsh), all our head people, it’s huge for them. I think they are probably going to enjoy it more than I will. It’s extraordinary stuff.”
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