See also » Edwardstone-claims-Arkle-in-style
He wears his heart on his sleeve, he jumps well, goes out and does his thing. I was only half-watching when we could easily have been brought down and I wasn’t sure if we had at one stage, but the gods were shining on us. Thereafter he looked to travel really well and never missed a beat. Full marks to Tom as well — that’s his first Cheltenham winner and he’s given him a cracking ride. Tom is riding out of his skin at the moment. I’ve been training 22 years and he’s only my third stable jockey. He reminds me of Choc (Robert Thornton) as he has the most laid-back attitude. If he’s nervous, he doesn’t show it. We’ve always trained the good horses this way. I don’t think Voy Por Ustedes or My Way De Solzen came here under-raced and his races have been reasonably spaced out. As I said the other week, he’s just been two or three years in the making. He used to over-race a little bit, but running him in those big handicap hurdles last year was the making of him. People have doubted his jumping, but I’ve never had any worries about it. He’s always had the potential, but these good horses don’t happen overnight. It’s a relief more than anything. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. Thank God it was the second race on the first day! Alan King, trainer

Magic Daze (IRE) wore ear plugs which were removed at the start and permission was given for Riviere D'etel (FR) to wear a red hood to post.

At the second to last fence, RIVIERE D’ETEL (FR), placed fifth, jumped right bumping the winner, Edwardstone (GB), but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved.

Following the race, Jack Kennedy reported that Riviere D'etel (FR), placed fifth, jumped right-handed and the Veterinary Officer reported that the filly had lost its left fore shoe.