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Cheltenham Festival 2026: Henry de Bromhead’s Heart Wood beats Jonbon to win Ryanair Chase


White Noise pulled off the shock of the day in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle as the 40-1 shot powered over the line in first place.

Odds-on favourite Bambino Fever made a mistake when clearing a hurdle over the hill and failed to get back into contention.

Emotional jockey Tom Bellamy told ITV it marked a life’s ambition fulfilled for him to ride a winner at Cheltenham.

Bellamy said: “I’ve waited my whole life for this day. I can’t believe it, I’m speechless.

“I’m genuinely nearly crying here. I bunked off school to come and watch Cheltenham; now I can’t believe I’m here.”

JP McManus secured his first winner of the day in the Novices’ Chase when 9-1 chance Meetmebythesea came home convincingly ahead of 25-1 shot Golden Dancer.

Trainer Ben Pauling told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: “He was good there today. He jumped very well.

“It looked like he had a bit left at the last. Hopefully, he has a bit to come.

“It means a lot to everyone, but training a winner here for one of the greatest men in the industry [McManus] means a lot to us. It is an important win.”

Jack Kennedy rode short-priced favourite Wodhooh to victory in the Mares’ Hurdle in what was trainer Gordon Elliott’s first victory of this year’s Festival.

Home By The Lee, a 33-1 outsider, won the Stayers’ Hurdle from Ballyburn and Bob Olinger.

Trainer Joseph O’Brien told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra that the horse is as “tough as nails”.



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