Results Cheltenham Wed, 17th Mar, 2021

Blackmore bags another win on Bob

I’m delighted with him. Rachael was brilliant on him again and he couldn’t have done it any better. He’s a horse we’ve always liked. He’s done very little wrong and he’s very exciting. I started the season aiming at the Supreme, but everyone persuaded me, quite rightly, to step up in trip. We were very hopeful coming here, but it was obviously a very good race and you never know on the day.

Monkfish survives scare to land Brown Advisory

I think that is the most nerve-wracking race I’ve ever watched — 1-4 in a three-mile novice chase around Cheltenham is not good for the ticker, especially with the way he jumped the last. Chatting to Paul he said he was idling on the first circuit, watching the jeep on the inside, the men at the fences — anything bar concentrating on his jumping. When he started racing alongside the other one (The Big Breakaway) things started getting better. Then he had to put up with the loose horse, but at least it stayed straight. It was very nerve-wracking for me. It’s testament to him that having jumped the last the way he did he was still able to quicken away from the others, I thought that was impressive once I’d got over my fright.

Hennessy in Heaven after Coral Cup

It’s unbelievable, quite incredible to be honest. We had a plan, something similar to Leopardstown. There were probably 26 Plan As in the race, but at least we got to use our Plan A. Richie was absolutely incredible on her — I don’t think anyone could have ridden her any better than that. Training greyhounds is our career. We have about 40 and we were lucky enough to win a couple of English Derbys. I only train three horses. It’s off the planet to win here — I can’t believe it. We needed a miracle. Heaven Help Us is her name and heaven has helped us today.

Kettle battles to Champion Chase glory

Tiger roars at Cheltenham again

We never doubted that we had him peaking for the right time. We were happy with his last run in Navan on ground that he absolutely hates. I knew the way he was going today, it would take a good horse to get by him. We had the faith and knew what this horse could show. There’s no better horse than Tiger Roll to silence the doubters. He’s a sensation — words cannot describe what he is. He means so much to the team at home. Some people might have lost a bit of faith after his last few runs, but we retained all the faith we had in him and knew he still retained plenty of fire in his belly. He showed it there today. I suppose he disappointed here in November and then had a run over hurdles. Neither of those runs were too encouraging, but he tells you when he’s feeling alive at home and he loves coming to Cheltenham and coming up that hill and the sun on his back. He showed what ability he has today to turn the tables on Easysland from last year. He’s been a revelation for Keith and Davy Russell, of course, winning two Grand Nationals. He showed real enthusiasm and sweetness for the game today.

Mullins one-two as Sir Gerhard takes bumper

I have to say well done to the Cullentra (Elliott) team. He came in great condition. The first night he came, we didn’t have any of the feed he’d been eating at Cullentra, so we just gave him our usual feed — and he didn’t miss an oat. He’ll probably go for the Champion Bumper at Punchestown. We’ll have a word with (owners) Cheveley Park, but that would look the obvious target. They are two good horses, and I’m delighted to have them. Looking at it, Kilcruit looks like a Ballymore horse and Sir Gerhard a Supreme type (next season).