VAUBAN justified favouritism to win the the JCB Triumph Hurdle in the opening race on the final day of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival.
Paul Townend’s mount held off late challenges from Fil Dor and Pied Piper to secure victory in the 12-runner race.
Follow all of the latest race reaction in our Cheltenham live blog.
Paul Townend delivered Vauban beautifully to win the opener
Speaking after the victory, Vauban’s owner Rich Ricci told BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: “I didn’t watch it. I watched last hurdle actually and he flattened it.
“He is a proper little taxi. He is a lovely horse. He’s got some engine and I am delighted with that.”
All you need for Cheltenham Festival 2022
- Cheltenham Festival LIVE – latest race results
- Cheltenham Festival FREE BETS – new customer offers
- Race schedule, TV channel and live stream info for the biggest show on turf
- Gold Cup 2022 guide – all the latest odds for Friday’s showpiece race
FULL RESULTS
- Vauban 6-4fav
- Fil Dor 11-2
- Pied Piper 7-2
- Icare Allen 10-1
What is the Cheltenham race schedule for each day?
Seven races will take place each day, with the marquee race of the day off at 3.30pm.
Friday, March 18 – Gold Cup Day
- 1.30pm Triumph Hurdle (ITV 1/ talkSPORT)
- 2.10pm County Hurdle (ITV 1/ talkSPORT)
- 2.50pm Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (ITV 1/ talkSPORT)
- 3.30pm Gold Cup (ITV 1/ talkSPORT)
- 4.10pm Festival Hunters’ Chase (ITV 1)
- 4.50pm Mares’ Chase (Racing TV)
- 5.30pm Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (Racing TV)
What TV channel and live stream is Cheltenham Festival 2022 on?
ITV 1 will be showing the first five of the seven races each day, with Ed Chamberlain and Francesca Cumani at the helm.
ITV 1 begin their coverage at 12.50pm following the news.
Then the final two will be shown on Racing TV and also available through bookmakers’ websites.
While for radio commentary, talkSPORT will be broadcasting the first four races each day.
