Jack Kennedy celebrates after riding Black Tears to win the Mares' Hurdle during day one of the Cheltenham FestivalBlack Tears got up in the final strides to give trainer Denise Foster a first Cheltenham Festival winner in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle. Foster is currently in charge of Gordon Elliott's string at Cullentra House Stables in County Meath while he is serving a suspension. Jack Kennedy produced Black Tears (11-1) with a perfectly-timed challenge to deny the Willie Mullins-trained 10-11 favourite Concertista in a thrilling finish to the two-and-a-half-mile contest. In the 2.30, Vintage Clouds finally won the Ultima Handicap Chase at the fifth attempt with a game display at Cheltenham. He's very fast, he's always looked like a chaser but he's definitely a two-miler, he's just a natural."

Source: Irish Independent March 16, 2021 15:35 UTC