Cheltenham Festival 2017 - as it happened: Tips, races and results from Champion Hurdle day
Re-live all the action from day one at the Cheltenham Festival
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Cheltenham Festival has finally arrived with four days of action-packed racing to get stuck into, culminating in the eagerly-anticipated Gold Cup.
Follow all the live action from today's races and stay tuned as we bring you the latest tips and odds.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
Tuesday - Champion Day:
1.30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
2.10 Racing Post Arkle Steeple Chase
2.50 Baylis & Harding Handicap Chase
3.30 Stan James Champion Hurdle
4.10 Mares’ Hurdle
4.50 National Hunt Chase
5.30 Close Brothers H’cap Chase
Our big-race predictions:
Day One
Champion Hurdle – Brain Power
The forecast good ground will see this progressive horse make the most of a weak renewal.
Day Two
RSA Chase – Whisper
With reasons to swerve those at the front of the market, this chaser’s Cheltenham record will serve as invaluable experience.
Day Three
JLT Novices’ Chase – Disko
This grey can pile on the pressure from the front, and jump his rivals into submission.
Day Four
Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup - Cue Card
Heart over head for what would surely be the perfect end to a brilliant career.
Cilaos Emery led out the race and headed the field for much of proceedings. Ballyandy made an early mistake, stumbling a little and slipping down the field while Melon sat well placed around second or third. Cilaos Emery was still leading with three to jump, with Melon looking in a good position for the final stretch. However the 25-1 outsider Labaik, ridden by the 17-year-old Jack Kennedy, came from nowhere, burning down the home straight to outpace the rest of the field and including the favourite Melon to storm to a sensational victory. Labaik had refused to start in two of his last three races, but he had absolutely no problem finishing that race. What a run!
Supreme Novices' Hurdle result
1. Labaik 25-1
2. Melon 3-1 JF
3. River Wylde 8-1
Attention now turns to the second race of today, the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase, with Nicky Henderson's Altior the favourite, ridden by Nico de Boinville.
Horses in the paddock now, Altior the strong favourite – to the extent that someone has bet £400,000 on him.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments