The horses are at the post for the next and eyeing up the first fence. With 21 in contention, it could be a tricky start. Let's see!

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After Sir Alex Ferguson's successes with Protektorat and Monmiral earlier on, could Harry Redknapp join him in becoming a Cheltenham winning owner?

The former Spurs, Bournemouth and West Ham manager will hope that his horse Shakem Up’Arry can improve on last year’s third place.

But the market leader is Theatre Man, trained by Richard Bandey with Harry Cobden taking the ride from Harry Bannister, but he is yet to win over fences.

Gordon Elliott’s Saint Felicien could be the best of the Irish challengers but there are plenty with chances.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

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There's always a big turnout at Cheltenham, but ticket sales for this week have been slower than recent years, with rising prices, the cost of living crisis and less competitive racing cited as factors.

Tuesday's crowd of more than 60,000 was only 150 down on last year but the Wednesday figure of 46,771 was the lowest one-day attendance since 2009.

Crowds so far this week (last year's figures in brackets)

• Tuesday 60,181 (60,321)
• Wednesday 46,771 (50,287)

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A fairytale victory for Paisley Park was not to be and, immediately after the Stayers' Hurdle, the 2019 winner's retirement was confirmed.

Trainer Emma Lavelle, speaking to ITV Sport: "It was the right thing to do.

"I have so much pride in Paisley, he has taken us on an incredible journey from beginning to end.

"He's been so special, he ran a lovely race today but the turbo is no longer working as it used it.

"He's sound, he's happy. He's extraordinary."

As we suspected, that is it for former winner Paisley Park - his owner Andrew Gemmell has just confirmed.

Asked on ITV Sport if that was the horse's final race, owner Andrew Gemmell says: "Afraid it is. He has a great race, a great career, but it is time to bid farewell.

"He's been marvellous."

Farewell sweet prince.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

The Cheltenham crowd are saluting the popular Paisley Park, who has been retired after his sixth appearance in the Stayers' Hurdle.

Paisley Park, the champion in 2019, is given a very warm round of applause from spectators as he walks around the parade ring.

Is that it for Paisley Park? One would think so.

Jockey Tom Bellamy says he does not know want the future holds and expects the connections to say more shortly.

Paisley Park is led down the rails in front of an adoring Cheltenham crowd.

He'll be thinking he's won again! Special moment for a special horse.

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Winning trainer Gordon Elliot on 5 Sports Extra: "This was the plan. He runs well fresh. It's great to get a winner. We have hit the crossbar a few times this week but to win this is unbelievable. I am delighted for the whole team.

"It has been a long couple of days but the horses have been running well. This is a great place to have a winner.

"This was one of our strongest days. We have plenty of chances coming up."

One of the main plotlines at Cheltenham is the scrap for supremacy between the British and Irish trainers.

It's been one-sided again this year, like it has over several recent years, and that is largely down to Willie Mullins.

But on St Patrick's Thursday, where the Festival pays tribute to the patron saint of Ireland (by sinking lots of the black stuff, mainly), there had not been an Irish winner until Teahupoo.

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Not only is Jack Kennedy off the mark - so is Gordon Elliott.

The Irish trainer dominated this Festival in 2017 and 2018, but this is a first victory of 2024 after a few near misses this week.

You can see the relief on Elliott's face as the usually-composed trainer grins and sticks his thumbs up at the television cameras.

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

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That was a tremendous roar - the crowd really enjoyed that. Jack Kennedy delivered a ride of high quality under big pressure.

I fancied him on the run-up but it was a short price. He won well and I love what he did, switching inside of Flooring Porter late on.

It was aggressive, clinical race riding by Jack and he has seen this out well. He avenges last year's unlucky third place.

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Teahupoo jockey Jack Kennedy, speaking to ITV Sport: "He's an amazing horse, he makes my job very easy.

"You can put him where you want in a race and he jumps great. He's a pleasure to ride."

On his relief at riding a winner: "The horses have been running well but getting on my mind a bit last night. It is brilliant to get off the mark."

1 Teahupoo (J W Kennedy) 5-4 Fav

2 Flooring Porter (K M Donoghue) 9-1

3 Home By The Lee (J J Slevin) 16-1

12 ran

The young gun does it!

Teahupoo was well backed and well fancied - and shows why in an impressive run.

The seven-year-old came close 12 months ago and now, a year older and a year wiser but with the youthful legs, showed how he has improved.

Here comes Teahupoo, who glides over the last. Not much between him and Flooring Porter...

The pack move in on Flooring Porter.

Paisley Park is looking good but probably doesn't have enough.

And Teahupoo is well poised. Ominous for the rest...

Everyone is travelling pretty well but without going full throttle.

Flooring Porter still leads with three hurdles to go.

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

It would be a mighty achievement if Flooring Porter can pull this off.

Seven hurdles to go and everyone is sticking together in relatively orderly fashion.

Back in front of the stands and round for the next circuit.

Flooring Porter still up top. Asterion Forlonge in behind. Noble Yeats is third.

Flooring Porter is known for coming out strong and is sat behind Asterion Forlonge.

Then the two-time champ is guided into the lead by Keith Donoghue.