A nuts race won by a 'nuts mare' - Put The Kettle On comes to the boil yet again

Where on earth do you even start? Put the kettle on there and we'll have a chat about it all over a cuppa.

Let's begin with some facts: Put The Kettle On became the first mare to win the Champion Chase with a typically terrier-like display, defying a high of 49-1 in running. It was her fourth time running at Cheltenham and it was her fourth win.

Aidan Coleman, who was winning the race for the first time too, has never been beaten on her and wants to bottle her incredible desire not to even consider no for an answer.

Queen Mother Champion Chase: full result and race replay

Henry de Bromhead is now poised to become the first trainer in the history of the sport to train the winner of the Champion Hurdle, the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup in the same year if either A Plus Tard or Minella Indo sprinkle some more stardust on a sensational week on Friday.

Indeed, he is the only Irish trainer to have won the Champion Chase in the last decade with Put The Kettle On following in the footsteps of Sizing Europe (2011) and Special Tiara (2017).

Put The Kettle On is currently rated 123 over hurdles, by the way. Did you know that? Thought not.

Put The Kettle On winning does not even begin to tell the whole story. That is the end of the tale, but what happened before and during the race was just as remarkable as the result itself.

First, Paul Nicholls spotted some blood coming out of Politologue's nostrils and withdrew the defending champion just minutes before the off.

Then, as the race was beginning to hot up after the third-last, Daryl Jacob tried to squeeze up the inside of Rouge Vif on Sceau Royal but had the door slammed in his face. How he managed to stay on board was one of the many mysteries of the race.

Another is how Chacun Pour Soi didn't win. The highest-rated chaser in training was sent off 8-13 favourite and traded at a low of 1.15 as he coasted to the front in between the final two fences. A slick leap at the last was all he needed. He got it, but it wasn't enough. The hill haunted him.

It was left to Nube Negra to launch the final challenge. Harry Skelton rode him with supreme confidence, cuddling him into contention, but a slight stumble at the last made his job a little more arduous and he didn't quite get there. There was a half a length in it at the line.

Greaneteen was only beaten two lengths into fourth, with Harry Cobden taking over from Bryony Frost at the last minute, while Sceau Royal somehow finished fifth. It's hard not to wonder whether his horror passage coming down the hill cost him more than the three and three-quarter lengths he was beaten.

Anyway, this was to be Put The Kettle On's day, as it so often is around here, and Coleman tried to put it all into words.

The winning jockey said: "She put in some fantastic jumps. Three out she was all wrong and she had just thrown herself at it. It’s just a testimony to her ability."

Aidan Coleman after winning his first Queen Mother Champion Chase on Put The Kettle OnCredit: Edward Whitaker

He added: "She heard them coming. She had two horses either side coming up the hill and they just weren’t getting past. I beat Chacun Pour Soi off and then Harry came on Nube Negra and she picked up again. If you could bottle what she has I would never have to ride again because I could sell it. I'd be a rich man."

Put The Kettle On's owners are becoming rich men thanks to that unbottleable desire that she has.

John Dermody, from the One For Luck Racing Syndicate, said: "We’re over the moon, we can’t believe it! Once Chacun Pour Soi didn’t pull away I had a feeling we’d get there up the hill. Our family’s here watching it on the telly and we went wild, we’ve got the champagne out now.

"I’m delighted for Henry and Aidan because they’ve put so much into her. I’m delighted for the mare herself too because her place is there now in history. She deserves all the credit. She’s got the heart of a lion.

"She’s got the attitude that you need for Cheltenham. When it comes to the last and tanks are emptying she’s just full of bravery. If Chacun met her around Leopardstown I’ve no doubt he’d beat her again, but when it came to the battle there she’s just so tough. Cheltenham is a unique test in the last half furlong and her toughness and attitude is why she gets on so well."

Cheltenham is indeed a unique test and it is one De Bromhead has been passing all week. First Honeysuckle, then Bob Olinger, and now Put The Kettle On.

"It’s stuff you dream about doing. It’s crazy," said De Bromhead. "We get such great support from our clients and have a great team at home; everyone has worked really hard, and it’s amazing to get rewarded like we are."

On the mare herself, he added: "She’s just a bit crackers the whole time, to be honest. She’s just quite wild, but a real character. Andrea Pastva does a really good job with her. She wouldn’t be the easiest ride and you’d want to have your wits about you. Daniel Holden would ride her a lot at home. She’s nuts, but in a great way."

A nuts race won by a nuts mare. Did you take in all that? I think it's time for another cuppa. Put the kettle on.

Read more of Wednesday's Cheltenham Festival reports . . .

'What a bloody legend' – Tiger Roll joins elite club with fifth festival win

'The most nerve-racking race I've watched' – Mullins relief as Monkfish scores

Rachael Blackmore at her finest once again as Sir Gerhard wins from the front

Is Monkfish a Gold Cup winner in waiting? Our experts give their verdict

Condon brands Paul Hennessy 'a genius' after Heaven Help Us romps to victory

Rachael Blackmore flattens another Grade 1 field with brilliant Bob Olinger

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets