07:28 It has been a dry night and the going is Good to Soft for trials day

10:35 Good morning from Cheltenham where it is overcast but chilly, with a light breeze

10:48 There is some mist over Cleeve Hill but Cheltenham looks as lovely as ever - there can be few courses in the world with such a perfect setting.

12:01 For those looking forward to The Festival in March, work is progressing. This will be the Guinness Stand.

12:26 Looking at the betting moves there seems to be quite a bit of support for Little Josh, 22/1 into 14/1 - I can't see why as there are doubts over both the trip, looks too far, and going, too much give.

12:31 It's been a few weeks since I have given a food update - well it was either belly pork (looked far too fatty), vegetable risotto (I don't do vegetables) or steak pie and mash.

So it was Hobson's Choice in the end - but pie and mash doesn't make a really inspirational photograph.

12:42 We're straight into the top class action with the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial, also known as the Finesse Juvenile Hurdle which sees just six off to post for the 2m 1f contest. 

Both Pearl Swan and Colebrooke were slightly on their toes, the former moreso. Baby Mix and Grumeti both looked really nice with slight preference for the latter. 

13:03 Well a fantastic finish to our opener with a classic Cheltenham finish as Pearl Swan and Grumetiattle up the run in to be separated by a short head on the line withbattle up the run in to be separated by a short head on the line with Pearl Swan just getting the call. However there was a coming together on the run-in and it will be interesting to see what the Stewards have to say.

Ruby Walsh gave Pearl Swan a great tactical ride, settled last for most of the contest to be produced late.

By contrast Hollow Tree set out to make all and they were both in contention at the last, along with Grumeti.

Hollow Tree did not have the legs to challenge the other two on the run-in and had to settle for third.

Baby Mix, sent off joint-favourite with Grumeti, tracked the leader for most of the contest and although in contention coming down the hill a mistake two out did not help his cause and had no turn of foot when the pace picked up as they swung for home, eventually finishing last.   

Pearl Song (Far side) and Grumeti just after crossing the line

13:17 Well a controversial start to the afternoon as the Stewards reverse the placings as Grumeti is awarded the race and Pearl Swan is placed second. I must admit some relief as I had backed Grumeti.

13:30 Race two is the Timeform Novices' Chase over 2m 5f with 16 off to post.

With all the fun and games after the first race I did not get a chance to see the runners in the second.

13:38 No doubts about the winner of our second contest as Bless The Wings is produced late to take the contest by a comfortable 2½ lengths.

In an eventful race which saw plenty of fallers (all of whom returned OK) the Venetia Williams trained Pentiffic set out to win the race the hard way and it was all credit that he was still to the van as they turned for home.

Made In Time, aboard whom AP McCoy was looking for his first winner following his return from injury, and Lexicon Lad were also in serious contention.

By the time they reached the last Wayne Hutchinson had Bless The Wings clear and he powered up the hill best of all.

There was a good battle to the line for the minor honours with Lexicon Lad just edging out the long time leader.

Another coming late, but too late, was Charminster who took fourth spot but never threatening the first three.

The favourite That'lldoboy was never a threat.   

The battle for second with Lexicon Lad (nearside) edges out Pentiffic, Bless The Wings Well clear in front

13:59 Race three is the Murphy Group Chase, another 2m 5f contest, with ten off to post.

14:13 Another great tactical ride, this time from Tom Scudamore, as The Giant Bolster makes all and comes home an unopposed 17 length winner.

Setting a good pace he led his rivals a merry dance.

Coming down the hill Poquelin, Hell's Bay and Aerial looked poised to launch a challenge but Scudamore injected some extra pace, pulled clear and it was race over.

Aerial, sent off favourite was the first of the following group to crack and it was Poquelin who "chased" the winner home, coming home 3¼ lengths clear of Billie Magern who was running on best of all in the closing stages. Aerial came home fourth after Hell's Kitchen tired. 

14:29 The Argento Chase, aka The Cotswold Chase is next up and the feature contest of the afternoon sees nine off to post for the extended 3m 1f contest.

Little Josh was a little bit on his toes and Midnight Chase was a head shaker.

14:45 Another front running performance, this time from Dougie Costello on Midnight Chase.

Controlling the pace it was a great ride as he strung his rivals out eventually coming home 2¾ lengths clear of his rivals.

I suppose it's not the greatest shock to say it was the enigmatic Tidal Bay who chased him home with Ruby Walsh having to use kidology to get him round and then to galvinise him charge up the run-in.

Knockara Beau ran his usual good race to finish third.

Time For Rupert, once again, disappointed, having every chance tracking the leader throughout but once again bottling when push came to shove - he eventually came home fourth.

Even more disappointing was Captain Chris who jumped right at every fence until Richard Johnson finally gave up after seven fences.  

Midnight Chase leads home Tidal Bay

15:02 Next up is the Neptune Investments Management Novices' Hurdle an extended 2½ mile contest with eleven off to face the starter.

15:17 A good afternoon at the office for Wayne Hutchinson as he has his third winner of the afternoon (OK the first came with some help from the Stewards - but they all count) courtesy of Batonnier.

It was a tactical ride from Hutchinson and it wasn't until the final stages he appeared on the scene to thwart the chances of the favourite Broadbackbob, who had taken up the running as they came down the hill.

Forgotten Gold and Catch Tammy had set the pace with plenty of changes of order in behind, although neither was able to see the front running through and both finished well down the field.

Secret Edge was one who was prominent throughout and he came home third.

Polisky was very disappointing for the Nicholls / Walsh combo and it was no surprise when he was eventually pulled up.

15:33 Spontaneous applause as Big Bucks strolls imperiously round the Cheltenham parade ring before the Rewards4Racing Cleeve Hurdle in which he faces five rivals in the three mile contest.

The only logical question should be how far will he win by - but this is racing and anything could happen.

15:50 Well he was almost playing with his rivals - it is almost like a kitten teasing a mouse.

Consecutive victory number 15 for Big Bucks and he wasn't really ever out of second gear. Plodding along in fourth spot, Ruby Walsh bought him on the tail of the then leader Dynaste as they swung for home.

Then we had the toying as he just sat there before jumping into the lead at the last and "strolling" up the hill to record a seven length victory. 

Dynaste was a decent second, although connections must be cursing being around the same time as Big Bucks.

Across The Bay was allowed to set his own pace before Restless Harry took up the running after a circuit. He held the lead until Dynaste took over as they crossed two out.

Big Bucks (in 4th) as they go out for the final circuit

Big Bucks powers home up the Cheltenham hill yet again

16:04 A great afternoon and we still have a race left. Our concluding race is the Stellar Football 'End Of Transfer Window' Handicap Hurdle, a 2m 1f contest with 14 off to post.

16:22 The final race goes to Module who came late and shook off his rivals on the run-in coming home to record a 3¾ length victory. The winner was settled round about fifth or sixth for most of the contest before joining a large group in with a chance as they lined up to face the judge.

Art Professor, always in the leading group, came home second with the favourite Hinterland a disappointing third, having looked impressive coming down the hill.

Sivola De Sivola looked to be out of all contention down the far side but he rallied late to finish fourth.

Module leads his rivals a merry dance up the run-in in the final race 

16:36 Well a crowd of 18,028 were here to enjoy a great curtain raiser for the Festival and the next meeting here is the big event itself, beginning on Tuesday 13th March.

Big Bucks was the undoubted star of the afternoon and I can't wait to see him again in March.

From a chilly Cheltenham it's a good afternoon. 

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Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

no non-runners

Results

12:55 Triumph Hurdle Trial 2m 1f

13:30 Handicap Chase 2m 5f

14:05 Handicap Chase 2m 5f

14:35 Argento Chase 3m 1f 110yds

15:10 Novices Hurdle 2m 4f 110yds

15:40 Cleeve Hurdle 3m

16:15 Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f