Ireland were well represented as ever and took home four wins on the opening day of racing at the Cheltenham Festival, with Rachael Blackmore once again triumphing in the Champion Hurdle aboard Honeysuckle.
The opening race of the day - the Supreme Novices' Hurdle - was taken by favourite Constitution Hill, the mount of Nico de Boinville.
And British success continued as the second race went the way of Tom Cannon aboard favourite Edwardstone.
But the Irish were to have their say as the third race came around, and Derek Fox delivered the goods aboard 10/1 shot Corach Rambler.
That set the tone for what was to come in the big race of the day; the Champion Hurdle.
Ireland's Rachael Blackmore had had success in this race last year aboard Honeysuckle, and the pair repeated the feat in front of a raucous Cheltenham crowd today - the one difference to 2021's success, which came with no spectators present due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The dynamic duo claimed success once again thanks to a brilliant ride from Blackmore, who cleared the last convincingly aboard Honeysuckle and stayed on well to ease towards the finish line.
Ruby Walsh was ecstatic about Blackmore's performance afterwards.
He said: "She's some mare, and they're some pair.
"It's riding to win, it's not riding not to lose! 10/10 Rachael Blackmore!"
And Blackmore's success had a ripple effect, with Mark Walsh coming up trumps next aboard 10/1 shot Brazil in the Grade Three Juvenile Handicap Chase. The Padraig Roche-trained Brazil beat off race favourite Gaelic Warrior in impressive fashion.
Lastly it was the turn of Patrick Mullins to win, his success coming in the final race of the day, the Grade Two Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase. Mullins rode Stattler well and fended off the race favourite, Run Wild Fred.
It marked the first dual success of the Festival for jockey Patrick and his legendary father, trainer Willie Mullins.
It is sure to continue at red-hot pace as the action continues tomorrow, so stay tuned to the Irish Mirror for all of your Cheltenham news!
