Jingko Blue Wins BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival

Jingko Blue delivered a front-running masterclass in the BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle on Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival, leading every yard under James Bowen to beat 50/1 shot Franciscan Rock by six lengths with Storm Heart a further four and three-quarter lengths back in third.

The seven-year-old, backed from 10/1 overnight into 9/2 favourite at flagfall, never looked like being caught as a host of Irish challengers loomed approaching the home turn. Bowen simply found another gear, and Jingko Blue stormed up the Cheltenham hill to settle the matter comfortably. The remarkable Ballyadam, an 11-year-old sent off at 40/1, made the frame for the third straight year in this race to finish fourth.

Making the running was not exactly scripted. "It wasn't the plan to make the running," Bowen said. "He just ended up there and he's a good horse." Although front-running was not plan A, Bowen established a good rhythm on the first circuit with Franciscan Rock tracking him through, and the pair broke clear of the pack after the final flight.

For Bowen, the victory was his second at this Festival in as many days, having broken his duck at the meeting only 24 hours earlier aboard Holloway Queen in the National Hunt Novices' Handicap Chase. "I don't know why I found it so hard to get a winner here previously," he admitted.

Trainer Nicky Henderson was characteristically effusive. "He's not the most straightforward horse, he's always a bit creeky, but he ran a good race in the Relkeel here on Trials day and to go and win a race like this he's earnt his corn for the year anyway that's for sure," said the Seven Barrows handler. Henderson also hinted at a Grand National entry, adding: "He could go for the Grand National if he got in."

The win was Henderson's third of the week and his 78th Cheltenham Festival winner in total, a staggering career milestone. He had been successful with Old Park Star and Holloway Queen on the opening day before Jingko Blue continued that momentum. His extended post-race remarks captured the drama of waiting for the result: "From the angle I had no idea whether he'd won. I thought he had and then people in our team around me were saying it was close, so then the doubt came in. It's so rewarding for everybody in the yard and all the work they put in to have this horse put in a performance like that. He was practically cantering coming into the winner's enclosure."

Jingko Blue's path to this success had been carefully plotted. The gelding returned to hurdling this season after a spell over fences and had flagged his readiness with a runner-up finish behind Stayers' Hurdle contender Kabral Du Mathan in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. With the Festival form pointing clearly in his direction, the market took note and the money came late and hard.

Day Two at Cheltenham provided more than its share of drama beyond the BetMGM Cup. The Grand Annual Chase produced the closest finish of the week when Martator, a 66/1 outsider, won by a nostril from Jazzy Matty. Final Orders led throughout in the Cross Country to beat well-backed favourite Favori De Champdou, and Classic-winning jockey Colin Keane guided The Mourne Rambler to victory in the concluding bumper. The afternoon was not without chaos either: a row broke out at the start between Nico De Boinville and Irish jockey Declan Queally before the first race, and false starts plagued several contests throughout the card.

Henderson's stable still has Jango Baie to look forward to in Friday's Gold Cup, and if Jingko Blue's performance on this afternoon is any guide, Seven Barrows is arriving at this Festival in serious form.