In the Festival’s opening race, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Old Park Star claimed victory in superb fashion for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville.
The favourite turned the final corner in third place, but recovered well after Sober Glory and Mydaddypaddy forced the highest-rated horse at the Festival to work hard for the success.
A delighted De Boinville told ITV the horse was “incredibly gutsy”.
“I thought he would stay well and eat up the hill and that is what he has done,” he said. “We even missed the last and still managed to win.”
Owner Gordon Hall told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: “We are just very happy that he has come home in one piece, and he has won.
“Not been great for the nerves, but he is a lovely horse. He has done lots of good work at home.
“Everything has gone right, but as you know, on the way to these things, you have got to keep the horses right and sound.”
In perhaps the match-up of the day, Mullins’ Kopek des Bordes and Henderson’s Lulamba went head-to-head in the Arkle Chase.
But a costly mistake at the penultimate, and final fence, by the two favourites gave 7-1 shot Kargese – also trained by Mullins – the success.
Owner Kenny Alexander told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: “I have been lucky to win a few here, but that is right up here.
“She is a proper, proper horse. She got the job done and she won fair and square. She is top-notch, definitely second best now by a country mile [behind Honeysuckle].”
Jockey Danny Mullins described trainer, and uncle, Willie, as “a master” after the win.
“To be part of that team is just unbelievable,” he told ITV. “To get days like these – they are not a given – I am lucky that I have ridden Cheltenham winners and I hope I have more.”
Meanwhile, 100-1 outsider Hansard died after being injured while running on the flat towards the end of the race rather than in a fall.
