APOLON DE CHARNIE shocked the Cheltenham crowd with a 50/1 victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son Patrick, the four-year-old was aiming to keep the trophy in the Closutton stable after Poniros struck at 100/1 on what was his hurdling debut 12 months ago.
Though not quite as overlooked in the betting, the Edward Ware-owned gelding was still a surprise first head across the line, with 5/1 chance Maestro Conti behind him and Minella Study (7/1) in third.
Patrick Mullins – who famously teamed up with his father to win last year’s Grand National with Nick Rockett – said: “He was fantastic. He’s not very big, but he just caught my eye. I don’t usually watch the juveniles at home, but he caught my eye and I got a dream run everywhere.
“I’m very proud of my father. I’ve never seen him doubt himself as much as he has this winter. You get a lot of advice from people about what you’re doing wrong, but he sticks to his guns and gets it right most of the time.”
British-trained runners filled the first five places as Wilful came come in front in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Trained by Jonjo and A J O’Neill and ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr, the 14-1 victory was therefore a real family affair with the father and two sons combining.
In a busy field of 23, the seven-year-old led home Sticktotheplan, Joyeuse, Cracking Rhapsody and Sinnatra – all of whom are trained in Britain – to give the Jackdaws Castle stable a second winner of the week, after Johnnywho in the Ultima Handicap on Tuesday.
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Wilful lands the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle 🏆
Dinoblue again showed her toughness and reliability with a successful defence of her Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase crown at Cheltenham.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Marsh Walsh for owner JP McManus, the chestnut was sent off the 11-8 favourite in the same race she won by eight and a half lengths last year.
In the end victory was assured from some way out, with Dinoblue brushing aside the runner-up, Gavin Cromwell’s Only By Night, with ease up the hill to cross the line a length and a quarter ahead. Panic Attack was third for Dan Skelton.
Dinoblue goes back-to-back in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase 🏆
Johnny’s Jury demonstrated plenty of tenacity to take the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
A 20-1 shot under Gavin Sheehan for trainer Jamie Snowden, the grey was left with plenty of work to do as he rounded the final bend with the majority of the field ahead of him.
Both horse and rider refused to accept defeat, however, and in the driving rain the pair picked off each rival one by one to rally up the hill and score by a length and a half from Fruit De Mer and The Passing Wife.
Race favourite Doctor Steinberg appeared to do too much in front from an early stage, before dropping away.
Johnny's Jury gets the verdict in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle🥇
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Cheltenham round-up: Willie and Patrick Mullins combine for 50/1 shock Triumph Hurdle win
LAST UPDATE | 25 mins ago
Triumph Hurdle
APOLON DE CHARNIE shocked the Cheltenham crowd with a 50/1 victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son Patrick, the four-year-old was aiming to keep the trophy in the Closutton stable after Poniros struck at 100/1 on what was his hurdling debut 12 months ago.
Though not quite as overlooked in the betting, the Edward Ware-owned gelding was still a surprise first head across the line, with 5/1 chance Maestro Conti behind him and Minella Study (7/1) in third.
Patrick Mullins – who famously teamed up with his father to win last year’s Grand National with Nick Rockett – said: “He was fantastic. He’s not very big, but he just caught my eye. I don’t usually watch the juveniles at home, but he caught my eye and I got a dream run everywhere.
“I’m very proud of my father. I’ve never seen him doubt himself as much as he has this winter. You get a lot of advice from people about what you’re doing wrong, but he sticks to his guns and gets it right most of the time.”
County Hurdle
British-trained runners filled the first five places as Wilful came come in front in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Trained by Jonjo and A J O’Neill and ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr, the 14-1 victory was therefore a real family affair with the father and two sons combining.
In a busy field of 23, the seven-year-old led home Sticktotheplan, Joyeuse, Cracking Rhapsody and Sinnatra – all of whom are trained in Britain – to give the Jackdaws Castle stable a second winner of the week, after Johnnywho in the Ultima Handicap on Tuesday.
Mares’ Chase
Dinoblue again showed her toughness and reliability with a successful defence of her Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase crown at Cheltenham.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Marsh Walsh for owner JP McManus, the chestnut was sent off the 11-8 favourite in the same race she won by eight and a half lengths last year.
In the end victory was assured from some way out, with Dinoblue brushing aside the runner-up, Gavin Cromwell’s Only By Night, with ease up the hill to cross the line a length and a quarter ahead. Panic Attack was third for Dan Skelton.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Johnny’s Jury demonstrated plenty of tenacity to take the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
A 20-1 shot under Gavin Sheehan for trainer Jamie Snowden, the grey was left with plenty of work to do as he rounded the final bend with the majority of the field ahead of him.
Both horse and rider refused to accept defeat, however, and in the driving rain the pair picked off each rival one by one to rally up the hill and score by a length and a half from Fruit De Mer and The Passing Wife.
Race favourite Doctor Steinberg appeared to do too much in front from an early stage, before dropping away.
Cheltenham results – Friday
1.20pm – Triumph Hurdle
1. Apolon De Charnie (50/1)
2. Maestro Conti (5/1)
3. Minella Study (7/1)
4. Selma De Vary (13/2)
2pm – County Hurdle
1. Wilful (14/1)
2. Sticktotheplan (25/1)
3. Joyeuse (12/1)
4. Cracking Rhapsody (50/1)
2.40pm – Mares’ Chase
1. Dinoblue (11/8f)
2. Only By Night (11/1)
3. Panic Attack (11/4)
3.20pm – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
1. Johnny’s Jury (20/1)
2. Fruit de Mer (28/1)
3. The Passing Wife (11/1)
4. Mondoui’boy (14/1)
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Apolon De Charnie Cheltenham day four Horse Racing