Strong Constitution is star of sparkling day one
Evening Standard|March 13, 2023
Standard Sport | Cheltenham Festival
Johnny Ward
Strong Constitution is star of sparkling day one

AS OPENING days of the Cheltenham Festival go, this gets little or no better.

Could we see the performance of the greatest of all time, Constitution Hill, in the feature or will the hype-train derail?

Despite a dry February, they likely kick off on soft ground, a welcome situation for the track staff, the recent snow and cold snap ensuring limited drying in recent weeks. High winds are expected today, some rain due later in the week.

The Festival gets underway with the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1.30), the picture for which got rather murky at the Dublin Racing Festival, where the previously unbeaten Facile Vega bombed out behind stablemate Il Etait Temps. Willie Mullins’s criticism of Paul Townend’s ride was somewhat out of the blue, but it is no surprise that Townend (right) stays loyal to the son of Quevega.

He cannot be a confident pick, yet i f Faci le Vega bounces back, he ought to have enough class. Marine Nationale remains unbeaten, but likely would have preferred better ground.

This story is from the March 13, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 13, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EVENING STANDARDView All
Only £65k a month to live like Boy George
The London Standard

Only £65k a month to live like Boy George

The Karma Chameleon singer listed his house for £17m in 2022, turning down offers. Now, he's looking for a tenant

time-read
2 mins  |
September 26, 2024
Welcome to London, unicorn capital of Europe
The London Standard

Welcome to London, unicorn capital of Europe

We're flying far ahead of anywhere outside US for tech investment

time-read
3 mins  |
September 26, 2024
Arteta's Arsenal evolution The next phase
The London Standard

Arteta's Arsenal evolution The next phase

Malik Ouzia and Simon Collings assess how the Spaniard will try to bring down Man City after he signs up for another three years with the title in his sights

time-read
6 mins  |
September 26, 2024
Title fight catches fire after Gunners embrace dark side
The London Standard

Title fight catches fire after Gunners embrace dark side

Arsenal-City clashes take on a welcome edge of animosity

time-read
2 mins  |
September 26, 2024
Whack the hippy gong-boho's back
The London Standard

Whack the hippy gong-boho's back

It happened in Paris one grey February day. Sienna Miller was in an oversized, black leather jacket, lace-trimmed silk slip and clumpy great wedges.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 26, 2024
There's a Starlink waiting in the sky... 7,000 in fact.Can Elon Musk stop them crashing to Earth?
The London Standard

There's a Starlink waiting in the sky... 7,000 in fact.Can Elon Musk stop them crashing to Earth?

As he was preparing his fields for seeding this year, Barry Sawchuk came across a giant slab of space debris. It had come from a spacecraft belonging to Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 26, 2024
'Politicians are only into power-mongering, corruption and cronyism'
The London Standard

'Politicians are only into power-mongering, corruption and cronyism'

We speak to alt revolutionary DEEPAK CHOPRA about biomarkers, his digital twin and his work to save humanity from disease

time-read
4 mins  |
September 26, 2024
I've been waiting for a production of Godotthis brilliant all my life
The London Standard

I've been waiting for a production of Godotthis brilliant all my life

Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati bring a potent, tragicomic chemistry to James Macdonald’s rich revival of Samuel Beckett’s challenging play.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 26, 2024
Trust me, the Ritz is London's bestrestaurant
The London Standard

Trust me, the Ritz is London's bestrestaurant

To whom we turn in moments of gloom and glory can be instructive, a filter of our truest friends. I've fallen out with the Ritz a couple of times, including once after a visit to the bar which didn’t warrant a review (“But you said it was lovely!” they said.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 26, 2024
'Healing is a dirty word'
The London Standard

'Healing is a dirty word'

After four traumatic years, FKA twigs is back with a new album -and a thrilling metamorphosis

time-read
5 mins  |
September 26, 2024