Top News

Cheltenham Festival bookmakers were 'hit for six' in the opening race on Tuesday when the favourite's triumph cost one firm over £1million. The traditional curtain-raiser, the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, is amongst the biggest betting races of the week with punters.

There were numerous highly fancied young hurdlers in the field, including Old Park Star, Talk The Talk, Mighty Park, Sober Glory and Mydaddypaddy. The Nicky Henderson-trained Old Park Star went off as the 15-8 favourite and prevailed under jockey Nico de Boinville following a dramatic climax in which the first three bumped on the run-in. Old Park Star edged across, causing Sober Glory to be hampered by Mydaddypaddy, but a stewards' enquiry found the interference was accidental as the favourite was confirmed the winner by one and a half lengths and a nose.

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB!Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

Henderson, capturing the race for a sixth time, received a raucous round of applause from those gathered around the winner's enclosure and said, "We've been here a long time, so we've got to know each other! This is a race that's been kind to us over the years. It's always a good race and the best novice hurdlers are all coming out to play.

"On a day we've said goodbye to Constitution Hill (over jumps), it's nice to come straight in and a bring on a new one we hope could be a star. These young horses keep you going and I'm not going anywhere unless they want to pension us off!

"The first race on the first day is the best one you can get and England are one up (over Ireland)! I don't know if we'll be saying that on Friday night, but we'll keep trying."

He added: "It got tough up there. Turning into the straight, he had to quicken off what looked a good, solid pace - he had to be brave to come up the hill like that. He's still a big baby in our opinion - I think in another year he'll be a much better horse. He's quick and tough and his jumping is sound. He's got a huge future in front of him."

It was a challenging outcome for the bookmakers William Hill to swallow so early in the meeting. Spokesperson Lee Phelps said: "Old Park Star was roared home by Cheltenham punters, and we've been hit for six by the result.

"He was a very well-backed favourite, and with our Epic Boost paying EVS for any favourite to win on Day One of the Festival. This has been a shocking result. In total, Old Park Star's win has cost us north of 1 million, and we're already well on the back foot this week."