Champagne Fever wins Cheltenham Festival opener

The Willie Mullins-trained Champagne Fever won the Supreme Novice Hurdle as the Cheltenham Festival got underway this afternoon.

Underneath Ruby Walsh, the grey gelding moved to the front of the field as they approached the first fence.

From then on the six-year-old retained the lead and even held off a late challenge from pre-race favourite My Tent Or Yours, who had Tony McCoy on board. Consequently, McCoy was forced to settle for second spot, while Jezki took third.

The win marked Walsh's 35th success at the Gloucestershire racecourse.