Cheltenham Festival 2013: Champagne Fever wins the first race on opening day

Tuesday 12 March 2013 15:14 GMT

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Champagne Fever made all of the running to outpoint My Tent Or Yours in the William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the opening race of this year's Cheltenham Festival.

Last season's Champion Bumper winner doubled up with a game display under Ruby Walsh to strike for Irish trainer Willie Mullins.

My Tent Or Yours appeared to be going much the better at the final flight, but Champagne Fever (5-1) kept finding more and held the 15-8 favourite by half a length.

Jezki (5-1) was third, a further two and a quarter lengths away, as the big meeting finally got going after a 35-minute delay caused by the Arctic weather.

Walsh said: "He jumped like a stag and travelled really well."

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Cheltenham Festival 2013: Champagne Fever wins the first race on opening day