Ireland 2, France 1
Binocular with champion jockey A P McCoy on board. Photo Sara Waterson
The first day of the Cheltenham Festival opened in balmy weather with beautiful good and good-to-soft ground for the premier Meet of the jumps' season.
The setting in a bowl surrounded by mountains in the West is indescribable.
Worry that the economy would dampen ticket sales proved unfounded as glorious weather and excitement over the quality of racing and horses brought record attendance.
There is always a large contingent from Ireland following their outstanding home-bred horses, jockeys and trainers.
Ireland Marketing markets this Meet heavily as their horses usually win more races than any other country.
In the past, they have been first with France second and Britain a poor third.
The opening day continued the form.
The first race was a thriller with six unbeaten hurdlers competing in the Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) over 2m 1/2f on the Old Course.
British trainer Philip Hobbs' Menorah IRE (King's Theatre IRE) narrowly beat Get Me Out Of Here IRE (Accordion) ridden by A P McCoy.
The 12.1 shot was shrewdly ridden by powerful Richard Johnson to beat the second favourite by a head and the favourite Dunguib IRE (Presenting) by 1 3/4 lengths to earn him a 4-day ban.
His owner Diana Whateley said she "was trembling head to toe" and looked it.
It was an exciting win for a son of the great King's Theatre and for Ballylinch Stud.
Sizing Europe IRE (Pistolet Bleu IRE) came into his own in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Grade 1), 2m on the Old Course.
It was an excellent Arkle with the eight-year old battling to the finish with Henrietta Knight's six-year old Somersby IRE (Second Empire IRE) and only beating him by 3/4 lengths and Osana FR (Video Rock FR) by a further 1 3/4 lengths.
Henry de Bromhead worked magic with Sizing Europe as has Edward O'Grady with Osana after the latter was transferred to him.
Sizing Europe will probably go for the Champion Chase next year and Osana to the Powers Gold Cup or Maghull at Aintree in April.
Somersby, though young is looking more and more like a worthy successor to the late Bestmate, multiple Gold Cup winner for Hen Knight.
The scopey gelding is on offer at 25.1 for the Gold Cup and is a great favourite with English jump cogniscenti.
Smurfit Kappa has sponsored its last Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) this year. The race is run over 2m 1/2f on the Old Course and gave champion jockey A P McCoy his first victory of the Meet.
Binocular FR (Enrique FR) rebounded from his lethargy of the last two races and looked like the old Binocular--handsome, vigourous and indomnitable.
Trainer Nicky Henderson no longer has to answer "What's wrong with him?" A muscle problem almost kept him out of the race and he was declared late.
This was a very open race with exceptionally-qualified competitors.
Yet Nigel Twiston-Davies' formidable Khyber Kim (Mujahid USA) with P J Brennan on board could only manage 3 1/2 lengths behind Binocular with Henderson's Zaynar FR (Daylami IRE) another six lengths behind.
When he kicked for home, the French ACE was never going to be taken.
Racing International http://www.racingint.com
Posted by susan trevelyan-syke at 3/21/2010 8:01 PM 
Categories: Cheltenham Festival 2010
Tags: Arkle Chase Sizing Europe Edward O'Grady Binocular A P McCoy Cheltenham Festival Zaynar Cheltenham Racecourse Philip Hobbs Bestmate Nicky Henderson Osana Somersby Menorah champion Hurdle Novices' Hurdle Racing International Henrietta Knight Khyber Kim Henry de Bromhead
Categories: Cheltenham Festival 2010
Tags: Arkle Chase Sizing Europe Edward O'Grady Binocular A P McCoy Cheltenham Festival Zaynar Cheltenham Racecourse Philip Hobbs Bestmate Nicky Henderson Osana Somersby Menorah champion Hurdle Novices' Hurdle Racing International Henrietta Knight Khyber Kim Henry de Bromhead
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