The name Joseph O’Brien may not have been on the card, but Ivanovich Gorbatov’s win in the Triumph Hurdle heralded the dawn a new era for the O’Brien family as the former flat horse gave the soon-to-be official trainer, son of Ballydoyle supremo Aidan, his first Festival success.

Good days and bad days at Cheltenham. 

Four of the fatal injuries were not caused by a fall at a fence or hurdle.

Solar Impulse bounced back to form when springing a 28-1 surprise in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.

Ibis Du Rheu battled on bravely to outpoint Flying Angel in a close finish to the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Victoria Pendleton exceeded all expectations by finishing fifth on Pacha Du Polder in the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham.

The nine-year-old gave trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Bryan Cooper their first blue riband triumph and a second for owners Gigginstown House Stud.

Unowhatimeanharry justified Harry Fry's decision to go for Grade One glory when landing a hard-fought victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Superb Story led after jumping what should have been the second-last but the final flight was omitted while Wayne Hutchinson received treatment for a fall from Montbazon on the first circuit.

O'Brien's son Joseph, who has recently retired from riding, has been supervising the young hurdler's preparation.

Yesterday was all about the favourites, with Vautour, Thistlecrack and Limini all winning as expected. We’ll have to wait and see if today brings more upsets.

Ivanovick Gorbatov likely to appreciate better ground

Cue Card will carry the hopes of Britain in today’s Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup as the 10-year-old seeks to crown a stunning season by landing a £1m (€1.3m) bonus.

It’s rarely mentioned now, but Ruby Walsh’s first ride at the Cheltenham Festival wasn’t exactly smooth.

It’s Thursday. The worst and weakest card of the festival. Eww. But that’s not all.

The absence of Vautour takes some of the intrigue from the Gold Cup, but it remains a very competitive race, in which Don Cossack can regain his place as the highest rated chaser in these islands by landing the week’s feature for Gordon Elliott, Bryan Cooper and Gigginstown House Stud.

Bookmakers were waving the white flag with one day of the Cheltenham Festival still to go after being given another pasting by punters.

If the decision to re-route Vautour from the Gold Cup to the Ryanair Chase was an unpopular one, all animosity towards the horse and connections had dissipated by the time the beautifully athletic gelding jumped the final fence and strode clear up the straight to record victory at a third consecutive Festival.

I would really love to win the race, not just for me, but for Willie Mullins, writes Ruby Walsh

The Cheltenham Festival and St Patrick’s Day don’t always coincide on the calendar, but the organisers know a good thing when they see one. So it is that the third day of this four-day bonanza is always designated as ‘St Patrick’s Thursday’.

Joseph looks to follow father’s example

Cheltenham chiefs admit the start of yesterday’s JLT Novices’ Chase “looked untidy” —but insist starting procedures had been followed correctly.

Thistlecrack confirmed his position as the stand-out in his division as he comfortably won the Ryanair World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Ruby Walsh has ridden Vautour to victory in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival - the first ever Irish winner of the race.

Ruby Walsh recorded his 50th career Cheltenham Festival success when lifting Black Hercules home in the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.

Will we see more surprises today?

The exciting Limini gets the nap to take this afternoon’s mares’ novices’ hurdle for the dominant Willie Mullins-Ruby Walsh team.

All the talk of ‘Ricci Tuesday’ had been replaced by an intense focus on what was expected to be ‘JP Wednesday.’

From worst behaved to best dressed — you get all sorts flocking to Cheltenham.