Cheltenham day one roundup: Jezki produces upset in Champion Hurdle

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 11 March 2014

Sports Mole rounds up an action-packed day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

Jezki held off My Tent or Yours for a JP McManus one-two finish in the feature Champion Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival today.

Barry Geraghty on Jezki jumps the last on his way to victory in The Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy during The Festival Champion Day at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 11, 2014 © Getty Images

The two green-and-gold hooped riders went over the final fence in first and second, with Barry Geraghty seeing Jezki (9/1) home despite the challenge of Tony McCoy on My Tent Or Yours (3/1).

Hurricane Fly (11/4) was denied a third Champion title by coming home fourth, with The New One (10/3) in third.

The race was overshadowed by the fatal fall suffered by Our Conor, who had to be put down after the race because of a back injury.

The day began with victory for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullens in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle as joint-favourite Vautour (7/2) led from the front and jumped elegantly to victory.

It was almost two-from-two for Walsh in the Arkle Chase, but Champagne Fever (11/4 joint-favourite) was beaten at the last moment by 33/1 outsider Western Warhorse under Tom Scudamore.

Holywell (10/1) finished strongly to win the Handicap Chase ahead of Ma Filleule (33/1) before Jezki's victory in the Champion Hurdle.

Then Quevega (8/11 favourite) created Cheltenham history by winning a sixth Mares' Hurdle under Walsh, edging out stablemate Glens Melody after jumping the last behind.

Ruby Walsh on Quevega signals the sixth successive victory for Quevega in The Olbg Mares' Hurdle Race during The Festival Champion Day at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 11, 2014 © Getty Images

Day one finished with victories for Midnight Prayer (8/1) and Present View (8/1) in the Amateur Riders Novice Chase and Novices' Handicap Chase respectively.