Sublimity lands Champion Hurdle

Sublimity and Philip Carberry landed odds of 16-1 in a thrilling renewal of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, the feature race on the opening day of the 2007 Cheltenham Festival.

Ante-post favourite Detroit City was never travelling with any momentum and proved a major disappointment as Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca went hammer and tongs at the head of affairs.

The latter took a narrow lead into the straight, but Carberry was always travelling sweetly just in behind the front two.

When he asked his mount to quicken, Sublimity shot up the final incline to win by three lengths from 11-2 chance Brave Inca. Afsoun stuck on well to edge out Hardy Eustace for third, a further neck away.

Bookmakers had been forced to cut John Carr's charge in their markets for some time, but with the money pouring on Detroit City, sent off the 6-4 favourite, the success proved favourable for the layers.

Sublimity was settled in last place throughout the early stages, but moved menacingly into contention under a confident ride as the runners descended towards three from home.
 
Iktitaf was also still in contention at that obstacle only to take a crashing fall. Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca were moving powerfully, but both were hard under pressure as the front three turned for home.

Sublimity joined the leaders at the final flight and scooted right away to win in impressive fashion, ensuring Philip joined siblings Paul and Nina in the record books having won a race at the showpiece meeting.

Detroit City was off the bit as early as the second flight, but seemed to have fought his way into the race halfway down the back straight.

Punters knew their fate soon after, however, as he dropped tamely off the principals coming down the hill.

Carberry said: "I couldn't believe how well he was travelling going down to the last. What a horse, he is the best horse I've ever ridden or ever likely to.

"He's beaten some fantastic horses in the shape of Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace, but he has beaten them on merit."

Owner Bill Hennessy said: "I'm speechless - I'm going to pinch myself to make sure it's real! What a dream - it's fantastic.

Colm Murphy said of Brave Inca: "I thought at the last we might still have a chance. I'm thrilled to bits, he's run his heart out and we were just beaten by a new kid on the block.

"He was as good as we've ever had him and he ran as well as ever. I wouldn't rule anything out, but it's more than likely that will be it for the year.

Nicky Henderson said of Afsoun: "He ran a super race and stayed on really well. Mick (Fitzgerald) said the good pace they went today really suited him.

And Dessie Hughes said of long-time leader Hardy Eustace, who had to settle for fourth after winning in 2004 and 2005: "It was a hell of a race. Conor (O'Dwyer) said they just went quicker than in other years and he never really got a chance to get a breather into him.

"All good things come to an end and we'll probably go to Punchestown next."

Earlier in the day Ebaziyan and Davy Condon ran out surprise 40-1 winners of the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle in the opening race of the Festival.

Willie Mullins' charge was always travelling strongly and cruised into contention alongside Amaretto Rose as the race began in earnest down the hill.

He jumped the last upsides eventual runner-up Granit Jack, who was sent off at 15-2, and powered up the hill to score by three lengths.

Amaretto Rose, the well-supported 2-1 favourite, stuck to her task when passed and finished a further neck away in third.

The traditional roar was evident as the tapes went up, with Orbit O'Gold and She's Our Daisy taking the runners along at a fair clip.

Granit Jack was always prominent and moved up to share the lead at halfway, from which point the major players began to make their moves.

As the field swung down the infamous hill, all eyes were drawn to Amaretto Rose as Nicky Henderson's mare was swinging away on the bit.

So too was the eventual winner, however, and when Granit Jack entered the straight under the familiar Ruby Walsh drive, it became clear that Ebaziyan was travelling the strongest.

After negotiating the final flight, Condon asked for everything and his partner responded to get the big meeting off to an absolute flyer for the layers.

Cheltenham Results

2.00
1 Ebaziyan (D J Condon) 40-1
2 Granit Jack (R Walsh) 15-2
3 Amaretto Rose (M A Fitzgerald) 2-1 Fav

2.35
1 My Way de Solzen (R Thornton) 7-2
2 Fair Along (R Johnson) 10-3 Fav
3 Jack The Giant (M A Fitzgerald) 14-1

4.00
1 Joes Edge (D N Russell) 50-1
2 Juveigneur (M A Fitzgerald) 7-1 Co Fav
3 Distant Thunder (A J McNamara) 7-1 Co Fav
4 Mon Mome (L Treadwell) 16-1

4.40
1 Heads Onthe Ground (Miss N Carberry) 5-2 Fav
2 Silver Birch (J M Maguire) 14-1
3 Le Duc (S Thomas) 8-1
4 Spot Thedifference (Mr J T McNamara) 6-1

5.20
1 Gaspara (A Glassonbury) 9-2 Jt Fav
2 Altilhar (N Fehily) 12-1
3 Laustra Bad (T Scudamore) 16-1
4 Zilcash (Gerard Tumelty) 50-1