Cheltenham Festival 2024 LIVE: 5.30 result, tips and odds after Willie Mullins celebrates 100th winner

Cheltenham 2024: Racegoers arrive for day one of festival

Willie Mullins reached the magical 100-winner mark at the Cheltenham Festival as the Patrick Mullins-ridden Jasmin De Vaux provided him with a 13th victory in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Mullins is out on his own as the most successful trainer in the history of National Hunt racing’s showpiece meeting, with his tally of 94 ahead of this week putting him well clear of his great friend and rival Nicky Henderson on 73.

Having sent a terrifically strong squad across the Irish Sea, it was a matter of when, not if, Mullins would reach the century, and following a Tuesday treble courtesy of Champion Hurdle hero State Man, Mares’ Hurdle victor Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle, the figure loomed large.

With Ballyburn and Fact To File delighting favourite-backers in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle and Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase respectively, El Fabiolo was widely expected to be the history maker in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, but he was dramatically pulled up after hitting the fifth fence and the wait went on.

The Coral Cup and Grand Annual also came and went without a Mullins winner, but it was fitting that the big one came in the Festival race he has won more than any other as Jasmin De Vaux obliged at 9-2 with the trainer’s son in the saddle.

“It’s a wonderful day, it’s fantastic. As much I enjoy what’s happening, I think of my colleague and fellow trainer Nicky Henderson and what’s happened with his yard this week,” Mullins said.

Cheltenham 16:00 - Queen Mother Champion Chase

Edwardstone takes the early lead with Elixir De Nutz joining him. El Fabiolo settles in fifth early on, staying out of trouble.

First three fences negotiated with no drama

Luke Baker13 March 2024 16:01

Cheltenham 16:00 - Queen Mother Champion Chase

And they’re off in the biggest race of the day! No one seems to be giving any horse other than El Fabiolo a chance. Will it prove to be the procession that we’ve been assured it will?

Luke Baker13 March 2024 16:00

Will Willie Mullins make history?

So, this could be the moment we’ve been waiting for. Trainer Willie Mullins, currently on 99 not out, could become the first man to rack up 100 Cheltenham wins, if heavy favourite El Fabiolo does what he’s expected to in the Queen Mother Champion Chase here.

Queen Camilla watching on and she might be about to witness history.

Luke Baker13 March 2024 15:57

Cheltenham 16:00 - Queen Mother Champion Chase runners and riders

The big race of the day is almost upon us. Here’s the runners and riders, after Nicky Henderson pulled out Jonbon this morning.

El Fabiolo is a huge favourite and if he delivers for the unstoppable Willie Mullins-Paul Townend combo, then Mullins will have his 100th Cheltenham win. History beckons...

• El Fabiolo 1/4
• Edwardstone 7/1
• Captain Guinness 11/1
• Gentleman de Mee 22/1
• Elixir De Nutz 33/1
• Funambule Sivola 125/1

Luke Baker13 March 2024 15:52

4.00 Queen Mother Champion Chase tips: Betting preview & best Cheltenham odds on Day 2

The feature race on day two of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival is the Queen Mother Champion Chase (4pm, ITV1). The championship race takes place over 2m, and the field jump 13 fences around the Old Course.

Seven runners will go to post, with Jonbon declared a non-runner on the morning of the race. That means there’ll be no repeat of the thrilling finish to last year’s Arkle Challenge Trophy when Jonbon and El Fabiolo went head-to-head.

Unfortunately, last year’s winner Energumene will not get the chance to defend his crown. He has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Captain Guinness chased home the Irish horse in second place 12 months ago. Henry De Bromhead’s chaser returns as he bids to go one place better this year.

The field also includes Elixir De Nutz, who runs for Joe Tizzard. He caused a big upset last time out when he defeated Jonbon on Trials Day at this course in the Grade One Clarence House Chase.

The horse racing betting sites all have El Fabiolo as a strong favourite in their Cheltenham odds to prevail for trainer Willie Mullins following Jonbon’s withdrawal. The Irishman is bidding for his third straight triumph in this prestigious contest. Here are our selections for the race.

The Independent13 March 2024 15:45

Cheltenham 16:00 - Queen Mother Champion Chase expert picks

Ed Chamberlin - Edwardstone: “The Champions Chase is going to be a cracker. Sir Anthony McCoy always says it’s his favourite race at the meeting. El Fabiolo is the hot favourite, but I do think Edwardstone will give you a good run for your money, I hope he goes from the front again like he did at Newbury. El Fabiolo might be far too good, but I do see Edwardstone running a big race.”

Matt Chapman: “The big race of the day is the Grade 1 Queen Mother Champion Chase over two miles. I’m massively in the El Fabiolo camp and expect him to prove the outstanding two-miler chaser of the season. Some question his jumping, and he can make errors, but at the end of the day, he’s won eight off eleven starts and never fallen.”

Luke Baker13 March 2024 15:42

Reaction from Harry Skelton

Winning jockey Harry Skelton, speaking to ITV Sport: “He’s brilliant. This has been 12 months planning.

“To be fair, we got him out on the grass in last few weeks and he has come alive. He was getting bumped and banged about out there - he was loving it. The more that happened, the more he thrived.

“He hasn’t been in quite as good form this year, but it’s happened today.”

Mike Jones13 March 2024 15:36

Cheltenham 15.15 - Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle result

1st - Langer Dan (Harry Skelton) 13-2

2nd - Ballyadam (Rachael Blackmore) 13-2

3rd - Shanbally Kid (M J M O’Sullivan) 12-1

4th - Lucky Place (James Bowen) 25-1

Mike Jones13 March 2024 15:27

Langer Dan wins the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle!

What a ride from Harry Skelton and Langer Dan. That’s only the second British winner of the Festival and, in a packed field where plenty could go wrong, the duo held their nerve and earned a second consecutive Coral Cup.

Mike Jones13 March 2024 15:26

Langer Dan wins the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle!

Wow! Huge injection of pace down the final straight and Langer Dan bombs into the lead, Ballyadam trakcs him well but can’t keep up with the pace and Shanbally Kid drops away.

Langer Dan crosses the line and wins the Coral Cup for a second year in a row!