Cheltenham Festival 2022 Day Three: Review and Results

Flooring Porter and Allaho both retained their titles during a remarkable third day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Double up: Allaho and Paul Townend on their way to winning the Ryanair Chase during day three of the Cheltenham Festival. Picture: Tim Goode/PA Wire.Double up: Allaho and Paul Townend on their way to winning the Ryanair Chase during day three of the Cheltenham Festival. Picture: Tim Goode/PA Wire.
Double up: Allaho and Paul Townend on their way to winning the Ryanair Chase during day three of the Cheltenham Festival. Picture: Tim Goode/PA Wire.

The Novices’ Chase gave a sign of the drama that was to follow as what many considered to be a two-horse race between Galopin Des Champs and Bob Olinger went the way of the latter - although that only tells half of the story.

Paul Townend looked to be heading to an impressive win until he came down going over the final fence and handed the honours to Rachael Blackmore and Bob Olinger.

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Speaking after the race, trainer Willie Mullins confirmed Galopin Des Champs had recovered after the fall.

He told ITV Sport: “He's fine. The reins just got caught around his leg and he panicked a little bit and it took a while to get it all sorted. I think Paul is probably sorer than the horse is.

“I'm very pleased with the performance and I suppose we're getting used to horses falling at the last around here - first of all Adamant Approach and then Annie Power and Benie Des Dieux.

“It's disappointing, but we have a sound jockey and a sound horse and we live to fight another day.”

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The pain would be short-lived for Townend and Mullins as they claimed the Ryanair Chase as 4/7 favourite Allaho showed his class with a fine win.

Danny Mullins put in a ride full of expertise and skill to help Flooring Porter see off Thyme Hill and 2019 winner Paisley Park to claim a second consecutive Stayers Hurdle.

Elsewhere on Thursday, Love Envoi was impressive as a 15/2 winner in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and Third Wind and Coole Cody took the Final Handicap Hurdle and Handicap Chase respectively.

Chambard was the big winner on the third day as Lucy Turner guided 40/1 shot home in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup to give trainer Venetia Williams a second winner of the festival.

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All eyes now turn towards the final day of the festival with the likes of A Plus Tard, Galvin and Al Boum Photo set to go head-to-head for this year’s Gold Cup.

Full list of results from day three

1.30pm: Turners Novices’ Chase Result (4 ran)

1st Bob Olinger (6/5)

2nd Busselton (50/1)

3rd El Barra (18/1)

2.10pm: Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle Result (22 ran)

1st Third Wind (25/1)

2nd Alaphilippe (11/2)

3rd Mill Green (33/1)

4th Winter Fog (11/2)

2.50pm: Ryanair Chase Festival Trophy Result (7 ran)

1st Allaho 4/7F

2nd Janidil 12/1

3rd Eldorado Allen 14/1

3.30pm: Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle Result (10 ran)

1st Flooring Porter 4/1F

2nd Thyme Hill 11/2

3rd Paisley Park 17/2

4th Champ 11/2

4.10pm: Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap Chase Result (15 ran)

1st Coole Cody 22/1

2nd Imperial Alcazar 7/2F

3rd Spiritofthegames 12/1

4th Stolen Silver 18/1

1st Love Envoi 15/2

2nd Ahorsewithnoname 50/1

3rd Grangee 13/2

4th Nurse Susan 14/1

1st Chombard 40/1

2nd Mister Coffey 5/1

3rd Didero Vallis 66/1

4th Fakir D’alene 33/1

5th Mint Condition 33/1

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