Surprise Victory: Captain Guinness Stuns in Queen Mother Champion Chase

Captain Guinness, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, surprisingly won the Queen Mother Champion Chase after hot favorite El Fabiolo was pulled up due to a bad early blunder. The 17-2 shot trained by Henry de Bromhead triumphed over Gentleman De Mee denying trainer Willie Mullins his historic 100th Cheltenham Festival win. Mullins later achieved the milestone with Jasmin De Vaux ridden by his son Patrick. Blackmore praised Captain Guinness’s performance highlighting the horse’s excellent jumping and endurance.

De Bromhead commended Blackmore’s riding skills acknowledging her historic achievements at Cheltenham. Mullins had earlier successes with Ballyburn and Fact To File while British trainer Dan Skelton secured a double with Langer Dan and Unexpected Party. Ballyburn’s victory in the opening Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle led a 1-2-3-4-5 finish for Mullins.

Fact To File confirmed his potential as a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender with a win in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. Langer Dan ridden by Harry Skelton became the first dual winner of the Coral Cup while Unexpected Party also ridden by Harry Skelton won the Grand Annual Chase sealing a successful day for the Skelton brothers.