Drama! Stewards reverse placings in Cheltenham opener

The new decade begun with drama at Cheltenham after the stewards reversed the placings of the opener.

On the run-in, the Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat drifted right towards the stands side crossing the path of Imperial Alcazar, for Fergal O'Brien.

With Imperial Alcazar forced to switch to the middle of the track, the pair endured a dual in the closing stages of the Listed Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, where Protektorat finished first by a head.

But after a lengthy look by the stewards', they deemed Harry Skelton's move on Protektorat cost his rival the race, and reversed the placings in favour 3-1 chance Imperial Alcazar.

There was a sense of justice in Cheltenham's second race as Doing Fine, who finished first in Sandown's controversial void London National, gained compensation Markel Insurance Handicap Chase.

No New Year's Day hangover with punters Ok to back Corral in Cheltenham feature

Punters on New Year's Day are siding with Nicky Henderson's ace Ok Corral to land Cheltenham's Paddy Power Handicap Chase (2.00), with the ten-year-old now a 6-1 second favourite.

Barry Geraghty's mount disappointed on his only start this season – when midfield in the Ladbrokes Trophy – but this former Grade 1 runner-up has continued to attract support since opening up at 10-1.

Ok Corral: the big market mover at Cheltenham on WednesdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Amy Murphy's Kalashnikov still heads the betting for the Grade 3 handicap, he remains a steady 4-1 favourite. Nigel Twiston-Davies's runner Ballyhill has seen support, shortening into 9-1 (from 12-1).

Elsewhere in the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (3.10), Warren Greatrex's exciting prospect Emitom has now joined Janika at the head of the market for the Grade 2 contest.

The six-year-old has been backed into 5-2 (from 3-1) while Janika drifted from 2-1. Mares' Hurdle heroine Roksana has also been backed, she is 3-1 (from 4-1).

The exciting Emitom is making his first outing outside novice company. He has won five or his six starts with his only defeat coming against Champ at Aintree in April.

Emitom: fancied to make a winning comebackCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The ground at Cheltenham is soft, good to soft in places with a dry day forecast. There are two non-runners on the card, Ask Dillon (bruised foot) and Anytime Will Do (runny nose) are out of the 3m handicap hurdle.

Simon Claisse, clerk of the course at Cheltenham, told the track's Twitter page: "The new year begins at Cheltenham on a cloudy but dry note, with the going on the chase and hurdle course soft, good to soft in places.

"70 runners [now 69 with Anytime Will Do a non-runner] are due to line up for the seven races with a galaxy of stars including Might Bite, Kalashnikov, Mister Whitaker and Champ. We also welcome three runners from France.

"With a crowd today expected of somewhere in the region of 30,000, racegoers are advised to leave plenty of time. The forecast is dry and the racing promises to be spectacular."

In Ireland, Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo remains strong in the market for his comeback in the Savills New Year's Day Chase (2.20). The mount of Paul Townend is a top-priced 4-7 chance.

Rail movements

Cheltenham's chase and hurdle bends have been moved out by ten yards meaning the following changes to today's race distances:

12.15 +95 yards
12.50 +126 yards
1.25 +95 yards
2.00 +95 yards
2.35 +95 yards
3.10 +95 yards
3.50 +63 yards

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