CAPTAIN GUINNESS lands incident-packed Champion Chase

Captain Guinness came out on top in a dramatic renewal of the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, in which red-hot favourite El Fabiolo was pulled up.
Trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, the nine-year-old was sent off a 17-2 chance, with Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo starting as the heavily-supported 2-9 market leader in the absence of supposed main rival Jonbon.
However, a jumping error led to Paul Townend’s mount being pulled up, and when the front-running Edwardstone fell two out - albeit when looking beaten - it was Captain Guinness who went on to prevail, holding off El Fabiolo’s stablemate Gentleman De Mee in a real battle up the hill.
Winning the race for the fourth time, De Bromhead said: “Obviously after El Fabiolo went you knew then that the race had opened right up and we felt we had a right chance then.
“Can mistakes happen more at the speed they go in this race, I don’t know.
“He had his thing at Christmas (fibrillating heart) and I just kept thinking the horse deserved to get his Grade One so much, to get this one is amazing.
“Everyone at home has done a fantastic job and the vets. The tests he went through after Christmas, his heart specialist was happy and the IHRB (Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board) was happy and everyone was. In fairness to Sam who looks after him, he hadn’t known him in such form.
“We took a view from Leopardstown in February we just wouldn’t train him hard and keep him fresh and happy and that’s what we did. We just wanted him really bullish and he’s been trying to buck Sam off for the last two weeks, so I’m not sure he was as happy with the plan as I was, but it’s worked out for us all now.”
He added: “We’ve been so lucky in this race, it’s such an exciting race. You can’t make any mistake really, it’s about speed and accuracy.
“Another year when we won it Douvan was odds-on for the whole year. You can’t be afraid of one horse, but you pick your spots. You don’t do it every day of the week, but this place is different.”
Blackmore was adding the Champion Chase to her glittering CV for the first time.
“I could hear and see El Fabiolo make a mistake beside me, so I knew he was out of the equation then and your thinking changes, I suppose,” she said.
“It happened quite early on and we still had a long way to go, so I was just trying to ride from fence to fence, but it does change your brain a little bit for sure.
“The horse in front (Edwardstone) is such a good jumper, but my horse is a good jumper as well and and I didn’t want him to have it too easy in front.
“It was a long way up the hill after the last and I was glad we got to the line. I was trying to save and halfway up the hill I was thinking I hadn’t saved enough, but he’s an incredible horse.
“I’m not shocked because I thought his day would come, but at the same time I can’t believe it came.
“He ran so well here last year, I know he was beaten a long way but he still ran really well behind an incredibly talented horse (Energumene). He’s been in great form at home and when you’re riding for Henry around here this week, he does get them spot on.
“I was very hopeful coming into the race and I’m so delighted it’s happened for him on the biggest stage of all. I know Henry has won this race a few times, but I haven’t and it’s an incredible race to win.
“Sometimes it’s hard to let these things sink into you, it’s unbelievable.”
Mullins said: “I was very concerned that he reached for an early one and then stood back too far at the fence going away from the stands and didn’t get high enough.
“He got very low over a couple of them and I know he was a bit chancy before, but I was very concerned. He jumped the last one good and then of course he just stood back too far and didn’t get high enough. It’s very disappointing.”
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[@grudeman]

Absolutely delighted for Henry his team and the horse! He deserves this, it's a fantastic story ☘️

[@victoriahaigh741]

Absolutely amazing Rachael!!

[@patrickfarrell5092]

Captain Guinness was faultless with his jumping whereas the favourite couldn't on the day. Beat horse and jockey won the race. Really happy for Rachel, Henry and the owner who was in shock. Love Cheltenham but they need to do something about the carpark. Thank you Racing TV for uploading so promptly 👏👏

[@user-sj2hi5fn4m]

Best horse? Stop talking out your hole.

[@Zarkava8]

​@@user-sj2hi5fn4m It won didn't it?

[@bobhadland2554]

Superb Miss Blackmore ❤❤❤😅

[@johnmcgarry1449]

They all went a little faster than ideal given the ground conditions. Poor Edwardstone looked exhausted when he fell. The winner jumped magnificantly, that's what won it.

[@noelfleming3567]

And well done Rachel great horsewoman ❤🇮🇪

[@catherinemiller3168]

Loved how De Sivola bounced along way behind and got third prize money! Paddy Brennan last week said you can't go fast on heavy ground and expect to get home., Tom & Freddie should have listened.

[@alankeane5595]

Not being smart but that favourite was pulled very fast.

[@Zarkava8]

I smell a 🐀

[@trevski9265]

Well done Paul for pulling El fabiolo up. Lost a lot. But horses health is paramount

[@georgemarch6752]

I mean that’s what you get backing 1/5 shots unfortunately

[@greatspottedwoodpeck]

Huge congrats to Rachel Blackmore, Henry de Bromhead and all involved in Captain Guinness's amazing win in the Queen Mother Champion Chase!

[@mickmcknight162]

I watched this race in slow motion and the horse hesitated before jumping the fence, downed his fore legs and put an extra stride in, all because, what it seemed to me, that Paul Townend didn't "ask", or urge his mount to jump the fence? That's how I saw it, but also why was he pulled up, he could easily have won still. Well done to Rachel Blackmore on Captain Guinness.

[@andrewgood1049]

Townsend was just carrying out orders.

[@donalowens1114]

@@andrewgood1049 That's right. Because who wants to win a Queen Mother champion chase? Certainly not the most talented, successful and ambitious NH trainer in history. Jesus Christ, the comments on here at times. And of course you lads know that the horse wasn't lame or anything.

[@skhumbuzondlovu9170]

❤❤❤ beautiful ride

[@Geeezzyy]

Don’t think clueless Lewis will be making an appearance in this comment section 😂😂

[@musicmike1972]

That's good 👍

[@seanhatley1503]

Double green monster 😂

[@Geeezzyy]

@@seanhatley1503 😂🙈

[@Rebeljustforkicks]

​@musicmike1972 It's not difficult to pick odds on shots like Muggy Martin but there's always one that does you in.I probably won more than him in one each way double today on Shanbally Kid and Gemirande (managed 5th at 40/1 and paid 5 places).Muggy only backs Mullins odds on. #NoknowledgeLewis

[@musicmike1972]

@@Rebeljustforkicks - I noticed that Gemirande snuck into the placings so well done with your educated system and inspired selections 👍. The horse gods are smiling on me rather than laughing at me and keeping me ahead of the bookies too. My old mate Envoi tomorrow but the prices are falling 😳.

[@JackGiau-rs8hk]

Congratulations

[@lesliedb7]

Bookies were saved millions on this result You have to say horses have made worse mistakes than that and continued before being pulled up how many doubles accumulators etc on that horse What a fix

[@martyndavid2094]

Townsend was paid off

[@CJ2727]

He lost his back legs, clown

[@aman2340]

willie had a few Guinness in this slaughter gaf all week 😂😂

[@OGA_999]

Jumping is the name of the game in NH Always has and no matter how well or poorly you may be travelling you've gotta JUMP or else game over

[@AlanKelly-ff7tk]

Been on the cards for the fav to do exactly that. He is lucky to be around in a god awful division and cannot be trusted.

[@user-up3hf9yk3v]

wonder how much the owners & trainer got for pulling the favourite that would of cleaned out the bookies as seen many times before,the games bent just like boxing.

[@Zarkava8]

Annie Power and now El Fabiolo, I smell a 🐀.

[@Blackit87]

Just cant get my head round how fast he pulled it up after a dodgey jump. Didnt even try and give it a chance to gather itself together. Surely cant have known it was injured that quick.

[@BaljinderSingh-cq6sh]

Great result for bookmakers . 😢

[@TJ20232]

Almost certain that's a fix. They were set to lose hundreds of thousands

[@TaylorGng21]

@@TJ20232*millions

[@mabbrey]

w/d all concered

[@alanduncan3349]

Second worst champion chase only worse one was the one politalouge won

[@kurman4749]

Yep, apart from one or two top-class chasers that contest this race, it lost its competitive nature many years ago.

[@mcvicarross7]

Yeah it's a far cry from the days of say Moscow Flyer, Azertioup & Well Chief who all contested a hot CC about 20yr ago .. Think Azertioup left his hind legs in the water jump!

[@marioamato7102]

Correct. Horse racing has gone so bad the quality is poor. People go for the sake of it

[@rodneymckee8431]

Dodging bullets was probably worse

[@rodneymckee8431]

That fence is a Jinx for horses Shiskin PU after jumping it now El fabiola

[@eamonnoneill1340]

Bookies need to give Townsend a few million for that big favour

[@TJ20232]

They probably gave him a little nudge and a wink before the race. You can't tell me that wasn't at minimum dodgy, at worst an absolute fix.

[@pauloconnor5101]

Couldn't have been more predictable

[@johnflynn1824]

I never has a bet on it. But that was a jockey looking for a problem, be careful with this owner in future. That was a fiddle must layed it

[@TJ20232]

@@johnflynn1824 yeah, I don't gamble anymore. I watched this and could tell if was dodgy right away

[@ViableSolutions]

Anybody think he pulled the horse up without even seeing if the horse could galvanise himself. After all he was 2/9 practically a steering contest. Looks really suspicious i have to say.

[@Kevjohno]

so do i ...i think sport went and the liability got to big ,

[@bazza1949]

I dont agree with the conspiracy crap...Townend had split second to decide to continue or pull up...Looking after the horse was paramount for him,another day.

[@Kevjohno]

@@bazza1949 i dont put anything past any of them when millions are involved

[@FriendlyNeighbourhoodSpidey]

​@@bazza1949horse looked fine, could easily have carried on

[@johnflynn1824]

That horse would of been pulled up The stumble just help . 3.7million cash on him, if you was the owner wat would you do. Be interesting to see who layed horse and if ghey was connected to the owner.

[@sandyreid2412]

Would let Tom cannon iny where near that horse terrible

[@chrisbardell2259]

Looked fixed to me!

[@user-km5sj7wy5t]

Hurdles are cruel 😮

[@Rebeljustforkicks]

This was a Chase...Not a Hurdle in sight .

[@user-km5sj7wy5t]

@@Rebeljustforkicks I American 🇺🇸 and are used to Saratoga & Parx , but when I watch hurtles I hate seeing horses 🐎 go down! I love horses 🐎 thanks

[@Rebeljustforkicks]

@@user-km5sj7wy5t I know it's tough when they fall and tragic if a horse is fatally injured. All the horses from this race came back safe and sound thankfully.

[@user-km5sj7wy5t]

@@Rebeljustforkicks I am 69 and been going to tracks across America for 55 years and have see many breakdowns, once they put up the barriers, I leave, I worry about the after racing careers, and hopefully they don’t end up in the slaughter house, even though it’s banned in America unlike some other countries?

[@Rebeljustforkicks]

@@user-km5sj7wy5t My friend has racehorses and they are loved and cared for.They go out to pasture when they are retired or if they are recovering from injury. I've been riding horses since I was 5 years old and I love horses.We have Equine Welfare standards in the UK and they are strictly adhered to.

[@rossmcbride4762]

Looks bad for NH Racing @2-9 you cant just pull up 😅it looked bad the horse wasn't tried .

[@christianbrady3106]

I think the bookies got to someone cause every time the bookies is about to get cleaned something happens as they say a fucking mugs game and it’s true .. el fabiolo could have kept going

[@frankryan782]

Tizzard jokey pulls up 2 out with £42k for finishing 3rd ..hope the owner takes note..

[@pauladams1924]

horse clearly exhausted, welfare comes first, could barely gallop, never mind jump another fence or 2

[@davidmcmahon5234]

Bookies got a result there everyone on that Mullins treble l would say not me now big money 💰 on it people had

[@tomgallagher7870]

Congrats rachael bit of luck but u need it.got my festival going at last !!20/1 twice.gutted edwardstone fell as love the horse.

[@Kevjohno]

@@davidmcmahon5234 sucked the air out the place ,,,

[@lukemichael7772]

I was absolutely baffled by that aswell and it’s a shame as I really rate him as a young jockey I think he’s just showed a bit of inexperience there on the biggest stage but I’m sure he will learn from it. I bet Charlie deutsch couldn’t believe his luck when he saw him pulling up I hope he sends him a nice thank you card 😭😂

[@sean11111]

Fixed

[@andrewmitchell-uh2tr]

RarecDisgraceful ride by Paul Townend. Should have surely pulled horse wide to see fences. Never ever fallen. Pulled up without ever giving a recovery chance. Saved bookies approx £4 million reportedly Mullins 2cnd string tries hard. Sorry but it stinks.

[@Im_not-the_father]

Absolutely ridiculous the conclusions a knob punter comes to after they lose... like bro this horse has never respected his fences why should have today been any different

[@ajb6243]

Lowest price horse of the meeting? Pulling up? Never surely 😂

[@johnobrien8398]

Mullins was trying to win with his big price one the fav was nobbled it’s so fixed this race

[@scotthands4396]

Pulled it up very quickly, smells to me

[@milolee1725]

2015...2024...history repeating....

[@Martin.Lewis..]

😂😂😂 “ history repeating”…. (With a 9 year gap in between) 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@milolee1725]

@@Martin.Lewis.. see the dots between the years?...it was sarcasm,but clever pants Martin had to go there....

[@Martin.Lewis..]

@@milolee1725 leave the comedy to me..

[@milolee1725]

@@Martin.Lewis.. Comedy?....oh the floor is all yours sir....let me know when the ....comedy(!) Commence's

[@bazza1949]

Definitely jockey error ... Townend been so good this week,but he gave the horse no help at all...watch previous fence.. 😓

[@Kevjohno]

he didnt ask for a stride he just left it to the horse ,bad jockey error

[@mickmcknight162]

@@Kevjohno You wouldn't be a jockey for long if you did that on a regular basis,especially in a championship race!. At his price all he had to do was get round to win, but of course he didn't...hmmm.

[@stevendoc7313]

The race that will be forgotten tomorrow

[@TitsandAKs]

0 pocket talk from me I’d never back a 1/5 shot with a tendency to jump awkwardly, but it speaks volumes jonbon blundered arguably worse and still kept going and nearly stayed on to win… fairly stinks to me lads

[@mickmcknight162]

That wasn't Jonbon, he didnt run for some reason, dunno...? All seemed a bit odd if ye ask me. He didnt ask his mount to jump the fences, unlike on all the winners he rode upto this race? Very odd.

[@Im_not-the_father]

​@mickmcknight162 exactly like how he didn't ask all of his other mounts to jump the first few fences... nothing shocking here, in fact El Fabiolo had this coming for a very long time now... if you followed what sensible punters always said about him, you would've known he never respects his fences

[@mickmcknight162]

@@Im_not-the_father Whatever dude..

[@TitsandAKs]

@@mickmcknight162 if you read my point I’m saying when jonbon ran the other week he hit the fence hard nearly fell yet kept going and nearly won. El fab hits only the fifth fence and immediately pulled up