Cheltenham Festival News: 68,587 record opening crowd makes day one a real folk spectacle
- Planet Sport writer
- 16 March 2022
A record opening day crowd of 68,587 packed the Cheltenham Festival, roaring on such superstars as Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore. The contrast with last year's behind closed doors event was stark.
The Cheltenham Festival is by no means just about the jumps action on the turf and the return of the hoardes to the packed stand made Day 1 an authentic folk spectacle.
Crowds thronged the Costwolds track after last year's event was held behind closed doors due the Covid:19 pandemic.
It was in March 2020, just as coronavirus was kicking in, that the Jockey Club, owners of Cheltenham racecourse, came in for severe criticism for staging the meeting.
It was labelled a 'super spreader' event and the fourth days finished in quietly surreal circumstances, with those present aware it could be the last time for a while they would be at such a gathering.
Normally there is a cheer when the first race goes off but there was a roar from expectant punters as the gates opened at 10.30am with £7 pints of Guinness ready to go.
Then, when it was time for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle to get the Festival going, the roar was even louder from the packed stands.
The race was won in breathtaking fashion by Nicky Henderson's Constitution Hill, who broke Annie Power's course record from 2016, and Henderson was elated to see the place packed to the rafters again.
He said: "It's just nice to be back here, with all these people. The atmosphere is great and it means a lot to us."
The feature race of the day, the Champion Hurdle, went the way of Honeysuckle, just like last year - but with one key difference.
Rachael Blackmore returned to a lonely paddock last year but this time around both superstars were cheered to the rafters.
"Last year was fantastic and we were delighted to be here, but Cheltenham is about the people and they really didn't let us down," said Blackmore.
"It was some feeling jumping the last and hearing the crowd. It's just an incredible place."
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead also felt the mare deserved her time in the spotlight with a crowd, who even gave her three cheers on her return.
"It is unbelievable. It is better than last year with the crowd here. It's amazing. It is a never ending fairytale. It is incredible," he said.
"I just really hoped that she could get that Cheltenham roar and it is fantastic that she has got it. She got it in the Mares' Hurdle, but for this she missed out last year - it is amazing."
Ian Renton, regional director for Jockey Club racecourses, also hailed the crowd's return and a new opening-day record of 68,567.
"It's wonderful to see the racegoers back and they've all arrived with a smile on their faces having missed last year."
He added: "It's a lovely atmosphere. We think the crowd is between 68-69,000, a record crowd for the first day and they've enjoyed it.
"This place needs people, it didn't feel right last year. The atmosphere makes the Festival, that's no secret."
It had been a long two years for many, with some admitting it was their first time racing in 24 months.
Nigel Robson, who was forced to miss the meeting last year for the first time since 1989, said: "I haven't been racing since my last day here two years ago.
"Cheltenham is different to everywhere else, especially in March, and I didn't want to go somewhere else first and not feel that excitement.
"It's great to be back."
