Cheltenham review: Frustration for Cork's Da Capo Glory and Maskada

AFTER the heady highs of an opening day treble, it was a case of mixed fortunes for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins at Prestbury Park. 

The Lisgoold jockey clearly brimming with confidence on the back of what was dubbed #TownendTuesday struck in the opener on Ballyburn. He produced undoubtedly the best performance of the meeting so far. 

However, the ups and downs of National Hunt racing were exemplified when the 2/9 favourite El Fabiolo sprawled on landing on the fence away from the stands and was quickly pulled up by jockey Paul Townend, in the days featured Champion Chase.

The mud-bath conditions on the infield meant the Cross Country Chase was cancelled.

PULLED UP 

The featured race on Day two was the €400k Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. This had been billed as a match between old adversaries El Fabiolo and Jonbon. 

However Nicky Henderson withdrew three of his Wednesday runners including Jonbon which ensured El Fabiolo would be the shortest price of the meeting. Henderson also ruled out Joe and Marie Donnelly's Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Shishkin due to concerns over the health of his string. Last season's Arkle winner El Fabiolo hadn't put a foot wrong in two starts this season producing a career-best performance at the Dublin Racing Festival last month.

Townend was seeking his third consecutive victory in the race on the back of Energumene in 2022 and 2023. 

El Fabiolo who has never convinced with his jumping got very low over the first few before sprawling on landing at the fence past the stands and was instantly pulled up by Townend.

Captain Guinness was the beneficiary fending off the challenge of Gentleman De Mee. Edwardstone was beaten when he fell at the penultimate fence.

BALLYBURN BANKER 

Racing began with the Grade One Gallagher Novices' Hurdle. 

Ballyburn was seen by many as the banker of the meeting on the back of his spectacular display at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. That form had been validated by Slade Steel in the Supreme.

Ballyburn despite racing keenly cruised to victory with Townend looking around for non-existent dangers turning for home. He produced the marquee performance of the meeting so far. It was shades of Michael Dickinson's famous five in the 1983 Gold Cup as he lad home a 1-2-3-4-5 for Willie Mullins with Jimmy Du Seuil second at 66/1.

WEST CORK RUNNER 

The €100k Coral Cup is one of the most competitive Handicap Hurdles on the calendar. 

West Cork trainer Paudie Butler bypassed training with Argideen Rangers this week for a tilt at this prestigious prize with his stable star Da Capo Glory.

This was a first runner in the UK for Butler whose charge had finished third in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle last month. Araglen amateur jockey Darragh Allen also had his first ride in England. He ran a blinder finishing seventh having travelled well until tiring on the run to the last.

It was a great effort under a big weight and provided a great experience for his five-member syndicate (Red Strand Syndicate) from West Cork. They had their initial syndicate meeting in the Red Strand. Langer Dan replicated his victory in the race instigating a double for Dan Skelton.

Meanwhile, there was no fairytale repeat victory for East Cork owners Kieran and Kathy Mariga and Maskada in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase a race they won last year.

He finished seventh under Doneraile jockey Darragh O'Keeffe beaten almost 25 lengths