Record numbers

THE opening day attendance of 67,770, up on last year’s 63,249, represented an opening day record for Cheltenham.

Concorde lame

SILVER Concorde was lame in front following his unplaced run in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, while Supasundae was reported to have lost his left hind shoe in the same race.

Faugheen in shape

AFTER the Champion Hurdle Willie Mullins reported that Faugheen was in good order. “He was checked out at Troytown the other day and the injury is making proper progress. He could probably be ridden next week but we’ll stick to walking and you’ll see him in the autumn,” stated the trainer.

Three fatalities

SADLY former Grade 1 winner Pont Alexandre suffered a fatal injury when pulling up in the National Hunt Chase, while The Govaness had to be put down after her last flight fall in the Mares Hurdle.

Another fatality on day one came when Rezorbi was put down following his fall at the second last in the Novice Handicap Chase.

BHA spigot

investigation

THE Stewards inquired into why a spigot was left in the crossing after the second last flight of hurdles in the Champion Hurdle, causing the runners on the inside to have to take evasive action.

The Clerk of the Course stated that the spigot had inadvertently been left when the groundstaff had shifted the running rail to enable them to spray the crossing with green dye.

The stewards forwarded the matter to the Head Office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.

Start line misdemeanour

ALL the riders in the Ultima Handicap Chase, with the exception of Tom O’Brien who got a three day ban, picked up a one day suspension after lining up before they were instructed to do so by the starter. Another starting misdemeanour saw eight of the riders in the National Hunt Chase given one day bans.

Nose bleed

THE Veterinary Officer reported after the Champion Hurdle that Peace And Co, who was pulled up, had bled from the nose