Tiara lands stunning Champion Chase win on day two at Cheltenham
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If Champion Day was deemed unpredictable then it’s difficult to put into words just how mind boggling Ladies Day at this year’s Cheltenham Festival proved to be.
Favourites were vanquished, pendulums swung and we witnessed what will likely be the biggest betting upset of the entire meeting.
And for Willie Mullins, ‘bloody nose’ doesn’t even begin to describe the inner turmoil that must be felt by his Closutton team.
But let’s start at the beginning.
Neptune Novices’ Hurdle favourite Neon Wolf was ready to be anointed as one of racing’s biggest stars.
But the Harry Fry-trained charge found one too good and too tough in Ben Pauling’s Willoughby Court.
Willoughby Court takes the opener in a thrilling finish from Neon Wolf to give trainer Ben Pauling a first Festival winner #TheFestival pic.twitter.com/YOAbqU48aL
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 15, 2017
But even more late drama was to come with the incredible battle between Might Bite and Whisper likely to go down in Festival folklore.
The former looked to have the RSA Chase at his mercy, only to wildly veer left in the closing stages.
Stablemate Whisper saw his chance and headed his rival but Might Bite dug in to win by the smallest of margins.
Another look at that photo finish in the RSA, Might Bite (near side) just getting up to defeat Whisper pic.twitter.com/jKw5mu8MxR
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 15, 2017
In the Coral Cup, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Tombstone was a high-profile jolly but in the end he could never muster a challenge.
Instead, 16/1 shot Supersundae landed the spoils with Cheltenham favourite Taquin Du Seuil a very game runner-up.
Supersundae wins the Coral Cup for Alan & Ann Potts Jessica Harrington & Robbie Power well done all ????
— Mark (@mark_elwell) March 15, 2017
And then we come to the big one, the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Nine from nine over fences, a dual Festival winner, and just 2/9 to confirm his greatness, few could’ve predicted the outcome of this year’s renewal.
Douvan never settled, didn’t jump fluently and the shock of the week resulted in Henry De Bromhead’s Special Tiara taking the spoils just ahead of Fox Norton.
ANOTHER UPSET! Special Tiara wins the Queen Mother Champion Chase with Douvan beaten a long way out… #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/rGBX8yL3Td
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) March 15, 2017
“Taxi”#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/SdI9CKhqIx
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) March 15, 2017
And just to add to the rich list of storylines, Cause of Causes notched a third Festival win when landing the Cross Country Chase.
Four Miler ✅
Kim Muir ✅
Cross Country ✅Cause Of Causes lands his third win at the #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/YEQRwg3qVU
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) March 15, 2017
What a day!
We’ll do it all again on St. Patrick’s Thursday.
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