In 35 years of coming here I've never experienced noise or energy on this scale

When Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle crossed the line a punter near the betting ring began rubbing his hair wildly. Then he jumped into the arms of his mate, who carried him like a happy bride across a threshold.

Few 8-11 favourites elicit this kind of mania, but this was no ordinary horse, no everyday jockey and no routine Cheltenham Festival. In 35 years of attending this meeting I've never experienced noise or energy on this scale. A record first-day crowd of 68,567 threw up a mighty din.

When Blackmore turned for home in the Champion Hurdle a tidal roar rolled down the straight to greet her. At the emotional peaks of racing, everyone in a crowd wants the same thing. Not everybody in this fevered audience will have taken the 8-11 about Honeysuckle retaining her Champion Hurdle title. But they all knew it was why they were here.