Cheltenham festival 2021 results LIVE: Updates from day one as Honeysuckle goes for win

Cheltenham Festival: All you need to know

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Honeysuckle bids to dethrone Epatante in a mouthwatering clash for the Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. The market for the feature event on day one of the Festival is dominated by the two top-class mares, with Henry de Bromhead’s Honeysuckle just about edging favouritism off the back of a scintillating display in last month’s Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

That dominant victory saw the seven-year-old stretch her unbeaten record to double figures, leaving connections with a mixture of expectant nerves and excitement for her biggest assignment yet.

Peter Molony, racing manager for Honeysuckle’s owner Kenny Alexander, said: “She arrived in Cheltenham on Saturday night and travelled well, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

“I do get desperately nervous, but if you’re not pumped up for this you’re not going to get pumped up for anything.

“She’s an amazing mare, and we’re very lucky to be in this position, so we may as well enjoy it.”

Honeysuckle already has a Festival win on her CV, having outgunned Benie Des Dieux in an epic Mares’ Hurdle 12 months ago.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ALL THE RESULTS FROM DAY ONE AT CHELTENHAM BELOW

1.20pm – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Result to follow

1.55pm – Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase

Result to follow

2.30pm – Ultima Handicap Chase

Result to follow

3.05pm – Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

Result to follow

3.40pm – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle 

Result to follow

4.15pm – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Result to follow

4.50pm – Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase

Result to follow

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