Carberrys and Geraghty dominate Cheltenham opening day

Meath's winning streak continued at the first day of the Cheltenham festival following Go Native's win in the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Punters following local jockeys will have seen four of the six races at Prestbury Park won by Meath riders. Following Go Native's 12/1 win for Paul Carberry and Noel Meade in the opener, Barry Geraghty went on to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy on Forpadytheplasterer. Sent off at odds of 8-1, Forpadydeplaster was landing just his second victory over fences after a string of seconds in Grade 1s, triggering scenes of jubilation from the successful Goat Racing Syndicate in the winner's enclosure. There was more to come from Geraghty, riding Punjabi for Nickey Henderson in the big race of the day, the Champion Hurdle. 22-1 shot Punjabi relished the relentless pace, giving Tony McCoy plenty to think about aboard 6-4 favourite Binocular, who was unable to respond. Punjabi raced prominently behind 17-2 Celestial Halo, with McCoy tracking the two menacingly as they turned for home. The trio were upsides over the last, but the favourite, who had got warm in the preliminaries, was unable to catch the front pair despite a tight battle to the line. Nina Carberry completed a double for the Ratoath family when she partnered Garde Champetre home for Enda Bolger in the Cross Country Chase, at 7/2.