Five unforgettable Cheltenham Festival races that changed in an instant

The Cheltenham Festival is now just two weeks away and anticipation is starting to reach fever pitch. The festival has played host to many of the most famous – and infamous – moments in jump racing history and here we list some of the classic encounters that had their outlooks changed in an instant . . .

2015 Mares' Hurdle

The background: Yes, I know, there are some wounds that do not need reopened and there are thousands who would gladly banish all memories of this race from their minds given the opportunity, but Annie Power's fall at the last remains one of the most famous (or infamous) moments in Cheltenham history and changed not just the complexion of the race, but the entire first day in 2015.

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh had utterly dominated the opening afternoon, with wins for Douvan, Un De Sceaux and Faugheen leaving the bookies trembling at the prospect of 1-2 favourite Annie Power completing the massively well-backed four-timer.

What happened: Everything was going perfectly to plan as the star mare strolled into the lead before turning for home and she was four lengths clear approaching the last. What could go wrong?

A lot, as it turned out, as the Rich Ricci-owned Annie Power stepped at the last and crashed out. Walsh was left sprawled helplessly on the ground as Glen's Melody came through for an unlikely victory, saving the bookies an estimated £50 million in the process.

The £50 million fall: Annie Power's exit in the Mares' Hurdle saved bookmakers a fortuneCredit: Edward Whitaker

Redemption for the pair would come 12 months later in the Champion Hurdle, but punters were left with a distinct feeling of deja vu when Benie Des Dieux, for the same owner-trainer-jockey combination, came down in almost identical circumstances in the same race three years later.

Watch the replay here

2020 RSA Chase

The background: One of the most hotly contested RSA Chases in years had three star names set to duel it out in Minella Indo, Allaho and Champ, and the trio produced a finish more than worthy of the billing.

What happened: Champ's less-than-fluent jumping seemed to be costing him dearly and he was matched at 400 on the exchanges as he lost crucial ground to the pace-setting Allaho and Minella Indo.

That pair seemed to have the race at their mercy as they slugged it out up the hill, eight lengths clear of a forlorn-looking Champ at the last. Suddenly, and almost from nowhere, Champ and a determined Barry Geraghty found an almighty second wind to somehow reel in the leaders in the last 150 yards.

Champ (left) looked down and out with a big gap to make up on Minella Indo and AllahoCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Even Champ's trainer Nicky Henderson admitted afterwards he had stopped keeping track of his runner, until the charging eight-year-old thrust his head in between the leaders for a shock victory.

Watch the replay here

2020 Triumph Hurdle

The background: Goshen had swept all before him over hurdles to this point with four wins that season coming by a combined 68 lengths and he was sent off the 5-2 favourite to open the final day of the 2020 festival with a bang for trainer Gary Moore and his son Jamie in the saddle.

What happened: A demolition job. That's what it would have been but for a freak incident at the final hurdle.

Goshen had powered miles clear of the rest with a devastating turn of foot rounding the home turn and only the final obstacle stood between him and one of the most dominant victories the festival had seen in many a year.

However, Goshen paddled at the last and stumbled, although even then he may have gotten away with it had his right-hind hoof not become briefly tangled with his right-front hoof, causing a chain reaction that saw Jamie Moore unceremoniously ejected from the saddle.

Jamie Moore is helpless as Goshen's unfortunate stumble at the last costs them victoryCredit: Dan Mullan (Getty Images)

The Willie Mullins-trained Burning Victory picked up the pieces and saw off Aspire Tower, while Goshen and connections have still never lived this moment down despite his successful yet unpredictable subsequent career.

Watch the replay here

2004 Kim Muir Challenge Cup

The background: This race featured on the Champion Hurdle day undercard and fireworks were not expected. It was 7-1 the field for the amateur riders' event and 22 runners lined up.

What happened: Just ten runners completed the 3m½f event and 40-1 shot Maximize came from a different parish to land a shock victory for trainer Martin Pipe and jockey Darren Edwards.

Montifault had a long lead going down the hill and was still 12 lengths clear jumping the last, but he was out on his feet approaching the line and Maximize capitalised.

The winner's in-running comment read: midfield, hampered 3rd, outpaced from 12th, blundered 14th, poor 5th before 3 out, effort to take 12 lengths 2nd after last, ran on to lead final strides.

2002 Supreme Novices' Hurdle

The background: The JP McManus-owned Like-A-Butterfly arrived with a seven-race unbeaten record, including victory in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, and was a strong fancy as 7-4 favourite. The Martin Pipe-trained Westender was the only other single-figure priced runner in the 28-strong field.

What happened: Well-backed favourite Like-A-Butterfly wins but only after 10-1 shot Adamant Approach fell at the last when travelling best under Ruby Walsh, briefly hampering Westender who ended up beaten a neck.

The general consensus was Adamant Approach appeared the most likely winner but the final hurdle proved costly for him, and arguably Westender too.

Like-A-Butterfly won two subsequent Grade 1s but never hit such heights at Cheltenham again, beaten in the Champion Hurdle and RSA Chase.

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