Paul Townend dominates the opening day with hat-trick of wins including his first Champion Hurdle success on State Man

CORK'S Paul Townend enjoyed a dream start to the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday by riding a treble including State Man in the Champion Hurdle. 

It was a first ever Champion Hurdle for Townend and State Man who runs in the colours of Cork owners Joe and Marie Donnelly. 

Gaelic Warrior got Townend off the mark in the Arkle Novice Chase while and Lossiemouth cruised to victory in the Mares Hurdle to complete a memorable treble.

State Man justified short-priced favouritism to take the Champion Hurdle on the opening day at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Making the most of Constitution Hill's absence, State Man was always well placed on the heels of the leaders and quickened smartly in the home straight to get the better of plucky runner-up Irish Point.

Victory for State Man made it four Grade 1 wins from four runs this season and takes his tally of top-level wins to nine, two more than the absent Constitution Hill. 

The winning jockey is always ice cool but he really took great satisfaction from this win. 

"He's a simple horse to ride. On the ground I probably could have waited a bit longer but I never doubted his stamina either," Townend said.

"He's an old favourite of mine and deserved a big day like this. He's a champion back home. 

"Constitution Hill was too good for him here last year and he deserved his day in the sun."

Lossiemouth was effortless in providing trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend with their third winner in the Mares’ Hurdle. 

There had been some uneasiness in the market around Lossiemouth as she stepped up in trip on testing ground, but she could hardly have been more serene as she cantered away from Telmesomethinggirl in the closing stages to complete a most memorable day for her jockey. 

“I suppose it’s well documented the route she’s come and they’ve given her time and been patient with her and they're getting paid off with it now.

”She was very good here last year and I suppose with the rain coming there was a question mark about her stamina, but to be honest, I never really doubted it. 

"I just had to settle her early and it was push-button stuff.” 

Gaelic Warrior came out on top in the Arkle Novices’ Chase, to get Townend and Willie Mullins off the mark for the week. 

Twice runner-up on his previous Festival visits, the Rich Ricci-owned bay was one of three Mullins-trained contenders in the race and was partnered by first choice jockey Paul Townend.

Mullins said of his winner, who was well-beaten when unseating Townend at the Dublin Racing Festival.

“You could see what difference a hood made to him. He wasn’t trying to jump right and Paul could ride a race on him.

”I think he has enough class now to do two miles and he’ll probably stick to that game now, although you could push him out to the Ryanair distance as well. 

"He’s very adaptable.” 

Slade Steel was an impressive winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as the 2024 Cheltenham Festival got under way. 

Trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore the 7-2 chance travelled in the middle of the field and stalked the leaders before mounting a challenge on the turn for home.

Blackmore – who in 2021 became the first woman to be crowned top rider at the Festival – said: “It’s unbelievable, I obviously love this place and it’s just amazing to be coming here, riding these brilliant horses. 

"Henry trains them every year to come here and the way he does it is incredible.”