The first Cheltenham Festival of the century was one to remember, with plenty of action, some very close calls, and a few surprising winners, such as What’s Up Boys in the Coral Cup at 33/1.
Part-way through Day 1, Istabraq cemented his place as one of the greatest hurdlers in generations by winning a 3rd consecutive Champion Hurdle. The Irish horse beat off Hors La Loi III for an impressive win, made all the sweeter no doubt by declining the French Trainer, François Doumen, another win on British soil.
The Queen Mother Chase was a particularly thrilling race on Day 2, ultimately won by Edredon Bleu who battled hard against Direct Route and only narrowly defeated him.
On Day 3, Snow Drop I became the first filly to win the Triumph Hurdle since 1980, and in the big race itself, the Gold Cup, Looks Like Trouble certainly caused such for all of the other runners, with Richard Johnson in the saddle winning the race for the first time. The well known jockey had a good festival all round, also taking home the Plate Handicap Chase.
It was Mick Fitzgerald who took the prize as top jockey though, with Nicky Henderson joining him as top trainer, since the pair had worked together on all of the same races.
14th March 2000 – Day One
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | Supreme Novices' Hurdle | Sausalito Bay | 14/1 |
J: Paul Carberry
T: N Meade
|
| 14:35 | Arkle Challenge Trophy | Tiutchev | 8/1 |
J: Mick Fitzgerald
T: N J Henderson
|
| 15:15 | The Champion Hurdle | Istabraq | 8/15 F |
J: Charlie Swan
T: A P O'Brien
|
| 15:55 | Festival Trophy Handicap Chase | Marlborough | 11/2 |
J: Mick Fitzgerald
T: N J Henderson
|
| 16:30 | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Honey Mount | 8/1 |
J: Robert Walford
T: Mrs S Alner
|
| 17:05 | Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle | Rubhahunish | 8/1 |
J: Carl Llewellyn
T: N Twiston-Davies
|
15th March 2000 – Day Two
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | Ballymore Novices' Hurdle | Monsignor | 5/4 F |
J: Norman Williamson
T: Mark Pitman
|
| 14:35 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Edredon Bleu | 7/2 |
J: A P McCoy
T: Henrietta C Knight
|
| 15:15 | BetMGM Cup | What's Up Boys | 33/1 |
J: Paul W Flynn
T: Philip Hobbs
|
| 15:55 | Brown Advisory Novices' Chase | Lord Noelie | 9/2 |
J: Jim Culloty
T: Henrietta C Knight
|
| 16:30 | National Hunt Chase | Relaxation | 8/1 |
J: Mark Bradburne
T: Henry Daly
|
| 17:05 | Plate Handicap Chase | Dark Stranger | 14/1 |
J: Richard Johnson
T: D Pipe
|
| 17:40 | Champion Bumper | Joe Cullen | 14/1 |
J: Charlie Swan
T: W P Mullins
|
16th March 2000 – Day Three
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | JCB Triumph Hurdle | Snow Drop I | 7/1 F |
J: T Doumen
T: F Doumen
|
| 14:35 | The Stayers' Hurdle | Bacchanal | 11/2 |
J: Mick Fitzgerald
T: N J Henderson
|
| 15:15 | The Cheltenham Gold Cup | Looks Like Trouble | 9/2 |
J: Richard Johnson
T: Noel Chance
|
| 15:55 | Foxhunter Challenge Cup | Cavalero | 16/1 |
J: Mr A Charles-Jones
T: H J Manners
|
| 16:30 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase | Samakaan | 9/2 F |
J: Norman Williamson
T: V Williams
|
| 17:05 | Cathcart Challenge Cup | Stormyfairweather | 11/2 |
J: Mick Fitzgerald
T: N J Henderson
|
| 17:40 | County Handicap Hurdle | Master Tern | 9/2 F |
J: Tony Dobbin
T: Jonjo O'Neill
|