10:09 Good  morning from day three of the Festival, Ladies Day. It has been dry overnight and we are on the New Course today where the going is Good, Good to Soft in places. There was some selective overnight watering.

It is currently overcast and some light rain is forecast later on – depending on which forecast you choose to believe the rain will either arrive mid-afternoon or after racing.

Here are our selections:-

10:27 We currently have no non-runners.

As already mentioned today is Ladies Day – certainly more restrained than at either Ascot or Aintree, the Ladies still put on a good show.

10:47 A good start!!! A going correction. the official going is Good to Soft, Good in Places not as previously reported. Although there is a strip of ground towards the stands rail where the going is faster.

11:02 Imperial Cup winner Qaspal has missed the cut for both the County Hurdle and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle so will not be going for the bonus.

12:01 We have a decent size crowd here today, although not as big as yesterdays.

12:43 There are no great steamers in the betting at the moment. Big Bucks is steady around the 4/6 mark.

On the exchanges Take The Breeze is a big drifter in the opener, as is Working Title. In the 2:05 Silk Affair has doubled in price, whilst Rocco’s Hall has attracted some support at big prices.

13:20 For the first time this week we have a clear paddock pick – Hey Big Spender looks absolutely great.

Negatives are Awesome George (getting warm), King’s Forest (getting warm), Seven Is My Number (getting warm), Copper Blue (skinny and pulling), The Midnight Club (unfurnished) and the well backed China Rock who keeps trying to leave the parade ring each time they pass the horsewalk.

13:57 An incident packed Jewson with the first drama coming at the first where Jered fell powering Tony McCoy into the ground. The champion jockey lay motionless for some time but did eventually walk away, albeit gingerly.

The pace, and it was a reasonable one, was set by Gansey and Fiendish Flame with the favourite Rivaliste and the grey Othermix tracking.

There two held the lead until the top of the hill at which point Fiendish Flame took up the running with China Rock keeping him company along with Othermix.

Hey Big Spender was also running into contention before falling at the thirteenth, unlucky for him.

Fiendish Flame made a mistake three out, effectively ending his chance, Othermix, China Rock and Seven Is My Number were looking to be the main protagonists at this stage.

However turning for home Richard Johnson who had been making steady progress on Copper Blue  came into the picture and by the last he had swept into the lead, making Othermix in front look very one paced.

Another running on in the closing stages was The Midnight Dream, powever up front Copper Bleu had flown and he came home the 3½ length winner from Othermix, who had run a good race.

The Midnight Dream took third, whilst China Rock stayed on for fourth.

Winning trainer Philip Hobbs said, "He developed a breathing problem over the last couple of months so I tied his tongue down.

"The plan was to be handy, but Richard said he was flat-out all of the way.

"He also got lucky avoiding any trouble going down the inner.

"We'll probably go to Punchestown, where he won last year, for a two-mile-five-furlong novice handicap chase."

14:27 It looks as though day three is going to be another bookies benefit as another favourite sinks without trace, this time Alfie Sherrin who may as well not have turned up.

The winner, Buena Vista, did things the hard way, hitting the front at the fourth flight then grinding out a victory, holding off all comers.

Chamirey looked to be the only threat when taking second four out, yet despite her best endeavours was never able to mount a serious challenge.  Indeed she was even done for second spot in the dying strides by the running on Prince Erik, although he even flattered to deceive looking to be more of a threat turning for home.

Trenchant seems to have two ways of running and today was one of his off days, although it has to be said he looked to be distressed as he came back in after the race.

Tony McCoy is sporting a huge plaster across his chin after his fall in the opener.

Winning trainer David Pipe was delighted "This is great for the late for the late Jean Broadhurst. It's fantastic.

"She'll be looking down from up there. Had she been here I would have had 20 smothers and lipstick all over me.

"He's been great for the owners and for Pond House all these years.

“This is his sixth Festival. He's been placed in the Supreme Novices, he's run in the Bumper and the Arkle.

"Hadden (Frost) gave him as great ride. It wasn't the intention to be up there so soon but he pulled his way to the front early on and he's enjoyed it."

15:06 Time for the puns when we report that Albertas Run flew home in the Ryanair Chase under champion jockey Tony McCoy.

Sharing the lead throughout with Deep Purple, McCoy took Albertas Run clear approaching three out, with the favourite Poquelin in pursuit. However it was to be a vain pursuit as McCoy had plenty in hand as they came up the run-in.

Indeed the battle turned out to be for second place as the mare J’y Vole gave Poquelin a run for his money, the pair coming close together resulting in a stewards enquiry, although the result was not changed.

Deep Purple held on for fourth spot.

Voy Por Ustedes in first time blinkers looked to have every chance at the top of the hill but by the time they turned for home he was out of contention.

Similarly The Queen’s Barbers Shop was another with the pace before dropping out down the back straight, he is turning into a frustrating sort.

Schindlers Hunt ran no sort of race and was always in rear.

A delighted McCoy proclaimed, "That was nice. He's a good horse, he won the SunAlliance a few years ago and I'm just delighted for owner Trevor Hemmings.

"Myself and Jonjo suggested to Trevor we should run him in the Ryanair instead of the Gold Cup as we thought he had a better chance.

"I'm delighted for him and I hope his foot is sore from jumping up and down!"

Jonjo O'Neill praised his jockey, "AP knows what he's doing. The horse jumped great for him and did everything right.

"He knows the horse very well and he was keen to ride him in this race rather than the Gold Cup.

"The ground is important to him. He loves good ground. it helps him jump and when he's like that he's a real good horse.

"We know he gets the trip so he made it a good gallop and it was great that he kept going."

15:51 Well finally we have a winning favourite in one of our Championship races as Big Bucks takes the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for the second year running.

He came home a 3¼ lengths clear of the relatively unfancied Time For Rupert who did his utmost to make a fight of it and was not disgraced in second spot.

The front pair came home eleven lengths clear of third placed Powerstation.

Former Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition set the pace in the three mile contest, with Fair Along and Ebadiyan prominent.

Ruby Walsh (27 Festival winners now) settled the favourite round about mid-division.

Tidal Bay supporters knew their fate fairly early into the contest as he was having one of his off days.

War Of Attrition was still leading coming down the hill but William Kennedy on Time For Rupert was soon upsides, with Walsh tracking the first two.

Turning for home War Of Attrition had run his race and it was a two horse contest with Time For Rupert leading but under strong driving and Big Buck’s alongside, Walsh not moving a muscle.

Big Buck’s jumped into a narrow lead at the last and pulled away on the run in, with Time For Rupert making sure the defending champion had to at least break some sweat for his win.

Karaback, under Mccoy came home fourth, with Katchit fading in the latter stages.

A naturally ecstatic Ruby Walsh declared, "He's a special horse. He's absolutely bolted in.

"He doesn't want to be in front too long. I knew the ones I fancied, like Karabak, would follow me though.

"He's got a terrific engine and that was a good round of jumping, he jumped better today than he ever has done."

Paul Nicholls was equally full of praise for his charge, "He's a hugely talented horse. It's unbelievable."

Paul Webber, trainer of the runner-up, was nonetheless delighted,  "Absolutely no excuses - he's run a cracking race and it's a thrill to get that close to Big Buck's.

"If he's OK, I would be keen to go to Liverpool with him because by the time Punchestown comes round, the going will be getting a bit quick."

16:00 The rain has arrived, not too heavy but here nonetheless

16:31 For a stage it looked as though the years were going to be rolled back as the 13-year-old Mister McGoldrick disputed the lead in the Byrne Group Plate. In the end he had to settle for fourth spot but he was not disgraced.

After a caning in the last it was normal service for the bookmakers as 18/1 Great Endeavour took the spoils, beating the 6/1 favourite Sunnyhillboy into second place, albeit by only 1¼ lengths.

The grey was with the pace throughout tracking the leaders The Sawyer and Atouchbetweenacara, although some scrappy jumping by the latter meant his challenge was relatively short lived.

By half way The Sawyer had been joined by Mister McGoldrick and the sentimentalists were just hoping he could take the contest, especially when he was left in front when The Sawyer dropped out.

However Danny Cooke on Great Endeavour soon hit the front and it was clear there would be no McGoldrick fairytale.

Sunnyhillboy was produced with a late challenge by his rider but it was not enough to catch the grey.

From Dawn To Dusk was another putting in a good late run and he ran into third spot.

The ups and downs of being a jump jockey have been fully demonstrated by AP McCoy today. After a crashing fall early on he forgot his aches and pains to win the Ryanair, only to take another crashing fall on Song Of Songs in this contest.

For DannyCook this is his first Festival winner, "It's brilliant. It's what it's all about, not just winning here but riding here.”

David Pipe added, "Danny won on him earlier in the season at Towcester. He was a bit disappointing the last couple of times, but when Timmy Murphy rode him last time, he said he would appreciate much better ground.”

"It's brilliant for everyone at home. A lot of hard work (goes into the yard), a lot of days when the trainer is very miserable and grumpy and they put up with me."

JP McManus, owner of the runner-up conceded they were beaten by a better horse.

17:09 An incident packed contest with many fallers.

Khachaturian and Oodachee trail blazed as their rivals fell at regular intervals, an indication more of the inexperience of the riders than the ability of the horses.

They set a good pace for a three mile contest and going out into the back straight for the first time the field were already strung out.

There was little change up front except Freds Benefit replaced Oodachee up front as they went out on the final circuit.

BallaBrigs had been settled for most of the contest but came into the picture coming down the hill for the final time and taking second spot when Freds Benefit made a mistake four out.

Khachaturian sill led approaching three out bur was soon passed by BallaBriggs.

Turning for home there only looked to be one winner and it was the same at the last where BallaBriggs was well clear of Faasel and Galant Nuit who were well behind battling it out for second spot.

There has been some controversy about the final hurdle being moved closer to the finishing post but connections and supporters of BallaBriggs will be grateful as halfway up the run-in the seemingly unbeatable leader began sending out distress signals and tied up quickly.

Faasel and Galant Nuit, still battling it out for the runners up spot were closing with every stride and the line came just in time for BallaBriggs, who won by a very fast diminishing half-length.

Faasel won the battle for second over Falant Nuit but had to survive a stewards enquiry as the pair came close together after the last.

17:32 Our final contest of the day was the Cheltenham Festival Ladies Charity Sweepstake and, unbelievably it produced the closest finish of the week so far.

Newmarket trainer Amy Weaver set off in front on Galdalf but the lead was relatively short lived as she was joined by Paul Nicholls partner Georgie Browne on Watergate.

Weaver soon dropped out and it was former three day event rider Katie Doyle on Devil To Pay who challenged for the lead and, turning for home it looked as though these two would be battling it out.

However there was to be another twist as Watergate tired and at the same time Prince Picasso under Irish young rider, now barrister, Orna Maddem, came from almost last to challenge on the run in and Prince Picasso and Devil To Pay crossed the line locked together.

It took a while for the judge to separate them but eventually Prince Picasso was awarded a short head victory.

17:42 That’s it from day three of the Festival and, apart from Big Buck’s, another day for the bookmakers.

More importantly from a bragging rights perspective all six races went to home trainers.

Of course all eyes now turn to tomorrow’s climax, the totesport Gold Cup which sees round three of the Kauto Star / Denman battle.

Kauto Star is currently favourite but it this rain, currently light, persists and the ground softens then it will play into Denmans’s hooves.

A sell out already tomorrow, so if you do not have a ticket do not bother turning up – instead follow the action with us.

From a now somewhat damp Cheltenham a very good evening.   

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

No non-runners

Results - New Course

1:30 Jewson Novices' Chase 2m 5f

1st 10 Copper Bleu 12/1
2nd 14 Othermix 50/1
3rd 12 The Midnight Club 16/1
4th 7 China Rock 9/1
20 Ran
Distances 3½ & ½
Fav 17 Rivaliste 6/1
Tote
Win £12.00
Places £2.60 £11.20 £5.10 £3.00
Exacta £687.80
CSF £520.18
Tricast £9,247.29
Time 5' 11.8"

2:05 Pertemps Final Hurdle 3m

1st 18 Buena Vista 16/1
2nd 10 Prince Erik 16/1
3rd 19 Chamirey 28/1
4th 21 Cross Kennon 16/1
24 Ran
Distances 5 & head
Fav 5 Alfie Sherrin 11/4
Tote
Win £19.10
Places £3.50 £3.50 £9.30 £3.60
Exacta £408.80
CSF £226.02
Tricast £7,013.26
Time 5' 48.5"

2:40 Ryanair Chase 2m 5f

1st 1 Albertas Run 14/1
2nd 8 Poquelin 11/4 fav
3rd J'y Vole 28/1
13 Ran
Distances 4 ½ & nose
Fav second
Tote
Win £16.50
Places £3.70 £1.90 £7.80
Exacta £54.40
CSF £52.09
Tricast £1,104.89
Time 5' 12.2"
Result Stands

3:20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle 3m

1st 1 Big Bucks 5/6 fav
2nd 13 Time For Rupert 16/1
3rd 10 Powerstation 33/1
14 Ran
Distances 3¼ & 11
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.90
Places £1.10 £3.20 £6.10
Exacta £14.70
CSF £14.22
Tricast £279.15
Time 5' 48.8"

4:00 Byrne Group Plate 2m 5f

1st 18 Great Endeavour 18/1
2nd 20 Sunnyhillboy 6/1
3rd 21 From Dawn To Dusk 20/1
4th 11 Mister McGoldrick 33/1
24 Ran
Distances 1¼ & ¾
Fav second
Tote
Win £31.30
Places £8.00 £2.40 £3.90 £7.70
Exacta £218.00
CSF £109.15
Tricast £2,254.56
Time 5' 08.1"

4:40 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase 3m 1f 110yds

1st 1 BallaBriggs 9/1
2nd 8 Faasel 20/1
3rd 12 Galant Nuit 11/2 fav
4th 23 Ma Yahab 14/1
24 Ran
Distances ½ & ¾
Fav third
Tote
Win £9.30
Places £3.50 £5.50 £2.10 £3.70
Exacta £216.60
CSF £179.38
Tricast £1,113.57
Time 6' 35.3"
Result Stands