2008 Cheltenham Festival

By Cindy Pierson Dulay, About.com Guide

The first Grade 1 stakes event on the closing day of the Festival was the £120,000 Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle (G1) (registered as the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle). A field of 15 horses aged 4 and up contested the 2 9/16 mile trip over 10 hurdles. 7-1 shot Fiveforthree was held up at the back of the field early, off the pace set by 200-1 outsider King In Waiting, then moved up to challenge with 3 jumps to go, then drew even with 11-1 Venalmar at the last jump. The pair dueled through the stretch but Fiveforthree dug in late to prevail by a neck in 5:02.20 over the good to soft course. It was another 4 lengths back to 9-1 Trafford Lad in third, while 4-1 favorite Aigle D'Or failed to fire and finished 13th.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said, "I thought we'd be going for the Supreme after his win at Fairyhouse, but when I looked at his stamina-laden pedigree and realized (jockey) Ruby Walsh was available for this I changed my mind. He'll go to Punchestown and will make a cracking chaser next season."

Results Chart