McManus celebrates 50th on day when new stars emerge
Keith Hamer examines five of the main talking points from day one of the Cheltenham Festival
1 KENNEDY CONFIRMS BOY WONDER STATUS WITH SUPREME SUCCESS
Jack Kennedy may not be 18 until next month, but he showed why he is being hailed a future champion jockey in Ireland when winning the Supreme on the recalcitrant Labaik.
The teenage sensation from Dingle in Co Kerry is a vital cog in the wheel for trainer Gordon Elliott and displayed ability way beyond his years to win the opening contest on a horse which had made a habit of refusing to race.
2 ARKLEHERO ALT I OR SETS UP POTENTIAL CLASH WITH DOUVAN
Jump racing fans are licking their lips at the prospect of Altior and Douvan meeting in next year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase after Nicky Henderson’s novice duly followed the Irish ace by winning the Arkle Trophy.
His task may have been made easier by the untimely exit of Charbel at the secondlast fence and what would have happened had that rival stood up is anyone’s guess, but the fact is Altior remains unbeaten over fences and is superstar material.
3 HENDERSON WEAVES HIS MAGIC WITH BUVEUR D’AIR
It was a brave call by trainer Nicky Henderson to switch Buveur D’Air back to hurdling with a view to running in the Champion Hurdle after two novice chase wins. Now after the event it can be hailed a masterstroke.
Not only did Buveur D’Air power to victory to give Henderson a record sixth win in the race, but the Seven Barrows trainer also saddled My Tent Or Yours, which finished second for a third time in the race and fourth time at the Festival.
4 MIGHTY OWNER M cM AN US MAKES FESTIVAL HISTORY
JP McManus has been a regular figure at Cheltenham as both audacious punter and powerful patron for many years. For him to reach 50 winners at the Festival was some achievement as Buveur D’Air also gave him a sixth Champion Hurdle success. And for good measure, he was responsible for runner-up My Tent Or Yours.
5 ELLIOTT TREBLE SIGNALS SHAKE-UP IN THE OLD ORDER
Gordon Elliott has been putting it to Willie Mullins in the race for the Irish jump trainers’ championship and continued his threat to the established order when saddling three winners on the opening afternoon. Labaik was a surprise in the Supreme, but Apple’s Jade, formerly trained by Mullins, in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle, and National Hunt Chase hero Tiger Roll reminded racing fans of the Co Meath handler’s talents.