Cheltenham Festival 2018 Results

It was another win for Ireland at 2018’s Cheltenham Festival, with Irish trainers taking the win in 17 of the 28 races across the 4 days, leading to mutterings from some that barriers should be put in place to control the situation. Happily though, no such thing was ever seriously considered.

Gordon Elliott came from behind to take the crown as Top Trainer from Willie Mullins on the final day, while Davy Russell and Jack Kennedy both achieved 4 wins, with Russell ultimately winning Top Jockey due to his placings. Ruby Walsh, the most successful jockey in the history of the festival, was the bookies favourite for top jockey, and started very well with 2 wins on day one. However, on day 2 Al Boum Photo fell in the second race, rolling onto Walsh and breaking his leg, so he was out of the running. He therefore had to be replaced in other races, so the impact his injury had on the results of those races can’t be understated.

It was a bad year all round for injuries, with seven horses dying during their race or as a result of injuries sustained at the festival. This was addressed directly by the festival organisers and there was an official review looking into the situation.

In happier news, Nicky Henderson’s Altior continued his unbeaten run, making 13 wins in a row when he took 1st place in the Queen Mother Champion Chase for the first time. Henderson also celebrated Buveur d’Air’s Champion Hurdle win, his second in a row. There was much talk of Henderson bagging the ‘big 3’, but his horse, Might Bite, could only manage second place in the Gold Cup, which was won by Native River after a race long battle between the two horses.

13th March 2018 – Day One (Champion Day)

14th March 2018 – Day Two (Ladies’ Day)

15th March 2018 – Day Three (St. Patrick’s Day)

16th March 2018 – Day Four (Gold Cup Day)