Willie Mullins was widely expected to land all four Grade One events on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and while he completed the feat, it was not without a dramatic conclusion.
After favourites Douvan, Un De Sceaux and Faugheen had all done the business in their respective events, it was left to Annie Power to round off a dream afternoon for Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh with a victorious seasonal return in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle.
Everything appeared to be going to plan as the 1-2 favourite approached the last well clear of her rivals and seemingly full of running, only to take off too early, crash through the obstacle and crumple to the ground on landing.
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All was not lost, though, as Mullins’ second string, Glens Melody (6-1), was sitting in second and had enough left in the tank to repel the challenge of Polly Peachum and win by a head in the hands of Paul Townend.
Mullins said: “Annie and Ruby got up and walked away. She set off too far at the last hurdle and caught the top of it — she was probably going too well.
“I’m delighted for Fiona (McStay, owner of Glens Melody). Last year she was robbed by Quevega having jumped the last in front and this year she got the rub of the green.
“Paul is a fantastic guy. It’s great he’s had a winner on the first day of Cheltenham.
“You couldn’t write a script like today.”
While Annie Power had clearly not studied her lines, Faugheen made no such mistake as he played his favourite’s role to perfection in the Stan James Champion Hurdle, leading home a stunning one-two-three for Mullins.
The 4-5 shot made all the running for Walsh, finding plenty when asked to win by a length and half and take his unbeaten tally over hurdles to eight.
Arctic Fire (20-1) chased him hard up the hill to take second place, with dual winner Hurricane Fly (8-1) a gallant third.
Mullins said: “I don’t know if I’m the first to train the first three (in the Champion), but if I am it’s fantastic. I was hoping one of them might win it.
“Faugheen was fantastic, Ruby was fantastic. He dictated the pace, did what he did when he wanted and quickened when he wanted.
“I thought Hurricane Fly ran a fantastic race throughout and Arctic Fire — I can’t see a rib on him yet, so I think there is far more improvement in him than the rest of them.”
Faugheen had been the second winner of the day to sport the colours of owner Rich Ricci, with Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Douvan also racing in the famous pink and green silks.
The 2-1 favourite was considered by some as possibly the weakest link in Mullins’ opening salvo — if there was such a thing — but only stablemate Shaneshill was good enough to serve it up, although he eventually finished a four-and-a-half-length third.
Ricci said: “This is just the day of a lifetime. Ruby was great and Willie is just magic.”
Ricci does not own Racing Post Arkle Trophy scorer Un De Sceaux, but he would probably like to given the ease of his six-length win over previous Grade One scorer God’s Own.
Supporters of the 4-6 favourite never had a moment of worry as Walsh made virtually all aboard a horse Mullins described as a “freak”.
Mullins said: “I got a fright when God’s Own came up beside him, but Ruby sat and then he just flew up the hill.
“He’s not a typical racehorse and I don’t think he’s any pedigree, either, which is extraordinary. He is what we call a pure freak.”
Mullins gave his rivals a clear run at both the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase and CHAPS Restaurants Barbados Novices’ Handicap Chase by not fielding a runner, while his Toby Balding National Hunt Chase runner Perfect Gentleman finished out of the places after showing up for a long way.
