Day one of the Cheltenham Festival was a memorable one for Paul Townend, as he took a hat trick of wins for Willie Mullins.
The day had opened with a dramatic victory for Rachael Blackmore atop Slade Steel, but it was Townend who was the Irish star on the opening day of the Festival.
It almost took on the form of a "redemption day" for the Cork jockey, as two of his wins came with horses who had finished as runners-up on multiple occasions in previous years.
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Cheltenham 2024: Paul Townend takes sensational hat trick of wins on Day One
In the second race of the day, Townend and Gaelic Warrior entered as favourites and ultimately ended up as decisive winners, having finished runner-up in the event in 2022 and 2023.
The highlight of the day for Townend and Willie Mullins, however, was his ride to victory with State Man in the headline event of the day, the Champion Hurdle.
Last year saw State Man finish a distant second behind the dominant Constitution Hill - whose absence defined Tuesday's race.
🟡⚫️ State Man - all class in the Champion Hurdle
🏇 14 runs
🥇 11 wins
🏆 G1 Champion Hurdle
🏆🏆 G1 Irish Champion Hurdle
🏆🏆 G1 Matheson Hurdle
🏆🏆 G1 Morgiana Hurdle
👑 Nine G1 victories
✅ Dual #CheltenhamFestival hero pic.twitter.com/JZreOKEaPh— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 12, 2024
Constitution Hill would have been the favourite for the event but ultimately was pulled out of the race by trainer Nicky Henderson last week. Henderson's Luccia finished third in the race, but it was pre-race favourite State Man who strode to victory ahead of Irish Point.
Speaking after the race, trainer Willie Mullins appeared to throw a dig at Henderson in his post-race comments, suggesting that he had failed to turn up for the race.
You've got to turn up to win a Champion Hurdle - we turned up.
Just half an hour after coming out on top in the Champion Hurdle, Townend returned to the saddle to take a third win of the day and move Mullins ever closer to his 100th Cheltenham Festival victory as a trainer.
Townend entered the Mares' Hurdle as favourite yet again with Lossiemouth and he would deliver yet again with a routine victory ahead of Rachael Blackmore with Telmesomethinggirl in second place.
The Corkman spoke to ITV after his third victory of the day, and said he was "privileged" to be riding atop such outstanding horses.
"It's a funny place this. It is very easy to ride when you're on a good one and very difficult when you're not going well. I'm privileged to be riding these horses"
A 3rd win of day one for @PTownend#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/RPTp5MPauB— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2024
After the near misses and disappointments in these events in recent years, Townend was thrilled to have a memorable day on day one at Cheltenham:
It's pretty simple when you're riding very good horses!
It's a funny place, this. It is very easy to ride when you're on a good one and it's very, very difficult when you're not going well. I'm privileged to be riding these horses. The privilege is definitely not lost - I know how privileged I am.
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