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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Niall McVeigh, with Tony Paley, plus Greg Wood and Barry Glendenning at Cheltenham

Cheltenham Festival: Energumene wins Champion Chase – as it happened

Energumene with jockey Paul Townend, owner Tony Bloom (centre) and trainer Willie Mullins after victory in the Champion Chase.
Energumene with jockey Paul Townend, owner Tony Bloom (centre) and trainer Willie Mullins after victory in the Champion Chase. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Summary

Time to sign off after a dramatic day of racing, with driving rain and heavy ground creating tough conditions for some big players. Shishkin was pulled up in the Champion Chase as Energumene strode to victory, while Bravemansgame was pulled out of the Novices’ Chase, won by L’Homme Presse.

That was one of four favourites to win on Wednesday, with Willie Mullins adding the opener and closer to his first Champion Chase win, and Gordon Elliott getting on the board with two wins – the second a 1-2 in the Cross Country, with Delta Work denying a heroic effort from the great Tiger Roll on his farewell appearance.

Here’s Greg Wood’s report from the course – I hope you’ll join us again tomorrow.

Five Irish winners today means they take the lead in the Prestbury Cup – but the positive note for British trainers is that with six wins, they have already surpassed last year’s total.

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