From Harchibald to Annie Power: five epic Cheltenham Festival day one moments

Ahead of the opening day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, we look back at some of the most famous moments to come from the first day of the meeting . . .

1977: Night Nurse wins Champion Hurdle epic

The 1977 Champion Hurdle is regarded as one of the greatest races of all time with Night Nurse, the reigning champion, taking on the likes of Sea Pigeon, Monksfield, Birds Nest and Dramatist.

Night Nurse: dual Champion Hurdler won arguably the greatest ever renewal of the raceCredit: Gerry Cranham

Night Nurse was ridden confidently from the front by Paddy Broderick and put in two slick jumps up the home straight to make all and fend off Irish challenger Monksfield in a thrilling finish.

The field's unrivalled strength in depth was demonstrated by the runner-up returning to land the race in each of the next two years while Sea Pigeon – only fourth in 1977 – memorably triumphed in 1980 and 1981.

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2000: incredible Istabraq completes hat-trick

Istabraq was one of the modern greats in the jumping game and his third win in the Champion Hurdle was the most momentous.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained ace returned to Cheltenham as the 8-15 favourite having won the last two Champion Hurdles by a decisive combined distance of 15 and a half lengths.

Istabraq: hurdling superstarCredit: Pat Healy

Once again, Istabraq made it look easy as he travelled comfortably through the race on the rail before powering up the hill when asked by jockey Charlie Swan. He finished four lengths clear of Hors La Loi III, who would go one better in 2002.

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Istabraq was cruelly denied the chance to become the race's first four-time champion in 2001 when the meeting was cancelled due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, and he was retired after pulling up when returning in the 2002 renewal.

2005: Harchibald's memorable second

Perhaps the most famous runner-up in Cheltenham Festival history, Harchibald made headlines for all the wrong reasons when beaten a neck by Hardy Eustace in the 2005 Champion Hurdle.

Harchibald (centre): pipped by Hardy Eustace in the 2005 Champion HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

The 7-1 chance was ridden patiently throughout by Paul Carberry and was cruising as Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca were pushed along. Carberry remain poised as Harchibald travelled powerfully on the bridle after the last and was just marginally behind Hardy Eustace in the final 50 yards.

However, when Carberry asked him to go, he found nothing and could not pass the reigning champion.

In an interview with the Racing Post in 2011, Carberry reflected on the race and said he believed he gave Harchibald the "best possible ride".

Cheltenham Festival day one card

2009: magic McCoy strikes on Wichita Lineman

AP McCoy rode 4,358 winners throughout his incredible career but none showcased the 20-time champion jockey's greatness as much as Wichita Lineman's last-gasp success in the race formerly known as the William Hill Trophy, now called the Ultima.

Wichita Lineman: an incredible last-gasp winner in 2009Credit: Edward Whitaker

The punters were keen on the Jonjo O'Neill-trained eight-year-old and he was backed into the 5-1 favourite on the day in the famous JP McManus silks. McCoy nestled the former Albert Bartlett winner in midfield, but his mount was never travelling and almost came down when blundering early on. He was a hard-ridden sixth on the swing for home with plenty of ground to make up.

Members can watch the replay here

McCoy continued to galvanise his charge and went wide in the centre of the course with a determined effort to finally overhaul Maljimar in the dying strides to record a remarkable and unexpected victory.

2015: bookies saved as Annie Power falls

Dubbed as the £50 million fall, Annie Power's unfortunate ending to the 2015 Mares' Hurdle will always be remembered in Cheltenham Festival folklore as a moment which saved the bookmakers.

Four Willie Mullins-trained runners were considered 'banker' material and thousands of accumulators looked set to be winning ones as Douvan, Un De Sceaux and Faugheen all scooped Grade 1 wins on the opening day.

Annie Power made amends for her Mares' Hurdle fall by winning the 2016 Champion HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

The four-timer only required 1-2 favourite Annie Power in the Mares' Hurdle and she looked in a different league throughout the race, travelling into an easy four-length lead before her and Ruby Walsh tumbled at the last.

Members can watch the replay here

A year later she would gain redemption with victory in the Champion Hurdle, although Benie Des Dieux would replicate that Annie Power moment in the same race and in the same silks four years on.

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