THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 14-17 MARCH 2023
DAY ONE
I f you press them hard enough, there are plenty of Jump racing fans who will admit that the build up to The Cheltenham Festival begins the minute the gates close on Gold Cup Day the year before. With so much anticipation comes plenty of pressure, but Day One does not disappoint. The excitement on Tuesday morning is palpable, and by the time the flag goes up at the start of the curtain-raising Grade One Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the ‘Cheltenham roar’ from some 60,000- plus spectators ushers in Act 1 Scene 1 of horseracing’s greatest play. The race itself certainly feeds on the atmosphere and the result is a high-class, high-octane test for the novices over two
of some of the greatest racehorses ever to have graced the hallowed Cheltenham turf. Hardy Eustace, Hurricane Fly, See You Then, Sea Pigeon, Hatton’s Grace, Night Nurse, Monksfield – the list is endless. Plenty will feel that Constitution Hill’s breathtaking 22-length success in the Supreme is evidence enough that it will only be a matter of time before he joins that roll of honour. But unfortunately for him, his emergence on the scene clashes with the era of a true hurdling great in the Henry de Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle. Amazingly, the mare is still unbeaten in 16 career starts and she helped jockey Rachael Blackmore create history when
miles, which often produces a thrilling finish or a superstar – or both. The race has an impressive roll of honour and future stars such as Altior, Douvan and Vautour have all won this in recent years. It also seems likely that this year’s winner, Constitution Hill, will also be taking aim at the first ‘Championship’ race of the season in 2023 – the Grade One Unibet Champion Hurdle. And while that race potentially has the job of getting the party started, plenty will tell you that it is their favourite race of the week. Run over two miles, the race is the ultimate test of speed, and to scan down the Champion Hurdle’s roll of honour is to familiarise yourself with a who’s who
For ticket and hospitality pricing and to book, head online now at thejockeyclub.co.uk
THEJOCKEYCLUB.CO.UK 49
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker