OUT of luck on Binocular, Tony McCoy excelled himself even by his high standards to win the William Hill Trophy on the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Wichita Lineman (5-1 favourite). Only third over the final fence, McCoy brilliantly drove his mount up the hill to collar leader Maljimar by a neck.
Wichita Lineman's owner JP McManus celebrated his 58th birthday with a double when Garde Champetre, ridden by Nina Carberry, headed home a 1-2-3 in his colours in the Glenfarclas Handicap Chase over the cross-country course.
Quevega blows away Mare rivals WILLIE Mullins and Ruby Walsh got off the mark at the Cheltenham Festival when Quevega ran out a hugely impressive winner of the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle.
Mullins had stated before the meeting that he believed the five-year-old was his best chance of a winner all week – and she did not disappoint.
The 2-1 favourite scooted clear to leave daylight back to runner-up United, who was thumped by 14 lengths.
Totejackpot win for on-course punterONE lucky on-course punter at Cheltenham was celebrating as he landed the totejackpot to 50p and scooped £35,500 having staked just £96 on the bet. Totesport make Ruby Walsh their 11-10 favourite to be to be top jockey at the meeting, with Tony McCoy at 5-2 and Barry Geraghty at 11-4. The rest are available at 14-1 and upwards.
All the results from day one1.30 - 1, *GO NATIVE, P Carberry (12-1); 2, Medermit (12-1); 3, Somersby (40-1). 20 ran . nk, 2¾. Trained N Meade. Tote: £11.80. Exacta: £108.80. Non Runner: Aachen.
2.05 - 1, FORPADYDEPLASTERER, B J Geraghty (8-1); 2, Kalahari King (8-1); 3, Planet Of Sound (10-1). 17 ran . shd, 5. Trained T Cooper. Tote: £8.30. Exacta: £72.60. NR: I'm So Lucky.
2.40 - 1, WICHITA LINEMAN, A P McCoy (5-1 Fav); 2, Maljimar (14-1); 3, Nenuphar Collonges (17-2); 4, Dear Villez (16-1). 21 ran . nk, ½. Trained Jonjo O'Neill. Tote: £4.70;. Non Runners: Hobbs Hill, Lothian Falcon, Star De Mohaison.
3.20 - 1, PUNJABI, B J Geraghty (22-1); 2, Celestial Halo (17-2); 3, *Binocular (6-4 Fav). 23 ran . nk, hd. Trained N J Henderson. Tote: £25.80;. Exacta: £247.90. NR: Sizing Europe.
4.00 - 1, *GARDE CHAMPETRE, Miss N Carberry (7-2); 2, L'Ami (7-4 Fav); 3, Drombeag (7-1); 4, A New Story (14-1). 16 ran. 1¾, 14. Trained E Bolger. Tote: £4.50. Exacta: £6.20.
4.40 - 1, QUEVEGA, R Walsh (2-1 Fav); 2, *United (10-3); 3, Aura About You (28-1). 21 ran. 14, shd. Trained W P Mullins. Tote: £3.00. Exacta: £7.80. Jackpot: £71,000.00 – part won. Quadpot: £4.40. Placepot: £122.50.
*The Scotsman selection
