Breaking: A champion start at Cheltenham, but no luck for local trainers

Our Champ wins the season opener at Cheltenham Racecourse, routing his rivals in the Foundation Developments Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle.

There was strong support through the day for the winner, who originally opened up at 9/1 before finishing at 9/2 joint-favourite.

It was a facile success for Chris Gordon’s 5-year-old, who finished 7 lengths clear of Kerry Lee’s Black Poppy in second and a further length to Donald McCain’s Ballygeary, in third.

Local trainer Fergal O’Brien faired the best of the local trainers with fourth place, Castle Gandolfo.

His other runner, Glorious Zoff unseated midway through the race. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ representative Shetland Tony was well fancied before the off but finished a remote 10^th.

First Cheltenham winner for Freddie Gordon as Our Champ wins the Financial Development Handicap Hurdle 👏 pic.twitter.com/T71Gaudt8C

— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) October 27, 2023

The next race will be taking place at 14:25PM where the short price favourite My Mate Mozzie will be hoping to land the short odds for Ireland.