Cheltenham Festival 2023: Leading jockey and trainer standings ahead of Day 2

The 2023 Cheltenham Festival began today and with it the excitement and expectation for a wonderful four days of racing action.

There were seven races taking place today with the Champion Hurdle the feature race. It was won by favourite Constitution Hill for rider Nico de Boinville and trainer Nicky Henderson. He romped home by nine lengths from runner-up State Man.

But the most notable moment of the day was victory for Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle in the Mares Hurdle. Trained by Henry De Bromehead it was a poignant victory following on from the death of De Bromhead's 13 year-old son Jack last September.

READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival day 1 LIVE Full results as Rachael Blackmore rides Honeysuckle home on emotional day

Blackmore said afterwards, "We all wish a very special kid was here but he'll be looking down on us".

Henry De Bromhead commented, "We've had a very tough year. We feel very privileged to have so many people behind us.

"It's just a massive result. We know Jack is always with us and I'm sure he was here on Rachael's shoulder. Honeysuckle has been a huge part of our life and Jack just adored her - so she as much did it for him as she did for all of us.

"Rachael and Honey are two divas together and I'm going to keep saying that now as it really annoys Rachael."

Here is how the leading jockey and trainer leaderboard looks after Day 1.

Holland Cooper Leading Jockey Award

1^ST 2^ND 3^RD

Michael O'Sullivan 2-0-0

Paul Townend 1-2-0

Patrick Mullins 1-0-1

Derek Fox 1-0-0

Nico De Boinville 1-0-0

Rachael Blackmore 1-0-0

Jamie Codd 0-1-0

Aidan Coleman 0-1-0

Philip Byrnes 0-1-0

JJ Slevin 0-1-0

JJ Burke 0-1-0

Davy Russell 0-0-2

Derek O'Connor 0-0-1

Mark Walsh 0-0-1

Luke Dempsey 0-0-1

Jonjoe O'Neill jr 0-0-1

Leading trainer award

1^ST 2^ND 3^RD

Willie Mullins 2-2-3

Gordon Elliot 1-1-2

Nicky Henderson 1-1-1

Barry Connell 1-0-0

Lucinda V. Russell 1-0-0

Henry De Bromhead 1-0-0

Martin Brassil 0-1-0

Harry Fry 0-1-0

Charles Byrnes 0-1-0

Jonjoe O'Neill sr 0-0-1

READ MORE:

• Henry de Bromhead heads to Cheltenham Festival with different outlook following death of son Jack

• Cheltenham Festival 2023: Ruby Walsh's A-Z guide for this year's meeting at Prestbury Park

• Rachael Blackmore hungry for more success as Cheltenham edges closer

• Cheltenham Festival Quiz: Test your knowledge of the famous meeting

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