Can anyone stop Lossiemouth here?

Jade De Grugy, another Willie Mullins trainee, is most likely to cause an upset.

Away we go.

When you celebrate a winner and manage not to spill your drink over your pristine pink suit. Well done, sir.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

There will be 10 runners in the Mares' Hurdle. 11 were scheduled, but Casa No Mento is a non-runner today.

Odds-on favourite Lossiemouth looked strong in the paddock just now, the stand-out grey strutting her stuff.

Image source, Getty Images

Much of the chat around this one has been around Lossiemouth and whether she would run in this one and bid to retain her title or run in the Champion Hurdle later in the day.

Trainer Willie Mullins has opted to run her in this one, perhaps on the back of the six-year-old’s fall at Leopardstown last month.

If she shows no ill-effects from the fall, she will be hard to beat but if not, stable-mate Jade De Grugy could be the one to capitalise in what looks a stronger race than 12 months ago.

Jade De Grugy returned from a long break with a win at Punchestown last month while the Gordon Elliott-trained Kala Conti is not without a chance.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

While some have headed to the Costa del Sol for holidays in the sunshine to watch Cheltenham on big screens, others are just pleased to be here.

Ross Hammond, 52, and Tom Medlicott, 47, have made the trip from Glastonbury.

Ross said: “I’ve been coming regularly for more than 15 years. The quality of racing is superb. Some people don’t like the crowds and it being so costly but for me it’s about being here and seeing the horses.”

Tom added: “This is like the Olympics of jump racing. You can carry your drinks round a bit more freely now which helps, particularly when you’re paying £7.80 for a pint. It’s cheaper than going to Twickenham for the rugby and this is a special place.”

England cricketer Jonny Bairstow is at the Festival today.

Image source, Getty Images

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

The cost of attending Cheltenham has been a big talking point, and I caught up with racegoers Aidan Corcoran and Joseph Edmonds, both 21, who caught the train from Devon.

Aidan: “I’ve been the last four years. Even getting off the train it was £9 for the return bus from Cheltenham Spa, and pints are £7 or £8.

"But you can’t beat being here, all these top-class horses and it’s not the same watching on TV.”

Joseph: “It’s my first time here and I’m having a good day out. Everyone is buzzing. There’s a feel about the place.”

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Lucinda Russell, owner and training of Myretown, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: "No, I can't believe it at all. He's a novice horse, his jumping has been hit and miss. Since we ran him at Kelso, he's got his confidence back and he's quite well-handicapped.

On this being Myretown's race: "I suppose he suits the three miles and the novices.

On whether getting Cheltenham winners ever loses its magic: "Not in the slightest, I've only just remembered I own half of him so it gets even better."

Image source, PA Media

"He was brilliant. His jumping hasn’t been the best, but I let him wing fences. He just made one mistake down the back," winning jockey Patrick Wadge, who has secured his first Cheltenham Festival winner, tells ITV Racing.

"Thanks to everyone. It’s a dream come true. Just to sit on a horse like this is amazing. I’m delighted to have the opportunity on a day like this. I could see how much the money was coming for him as the day went on. I just got quieter and quieter. He’s just a brilliant wee horse."

Lucinda Russell's partner and former champion jockey Peter Scudamore speaking to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra about Myretown: "I knew he was a very good horse, I was worried about running him on the ground. The one I fancied got beat and the other one won.

"I'm just honoured to be here. The horses absolutely adore being here. It's a team here and it's fantastic."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

They might think about renaming the Ultima as the Lucinda Russell Handicap Chase.

An 11-length victory for Myretown was the third time in four years the Scottish trainer has triumphed after success with Corach Rambler in 2022 and 2023.

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Image source, Getty

Lucinda Russell has made this race her own. We talked about how important track position is and being positive. Myretown was there from the getgo and he just held his position.

1 Myretown (P W Wadge) 13-2 Fav

2 The Changing Man (Brendan Powell) 7-1

3 Malina Girl (K M Donoghue) 14-1

4 Happygolucky (J J Burke) 28-124 ran

By miles!

The five-year-old gelding was heavily backed in the final minutes before the race and proves why, jumping perfectly and stretching away to win by a long distance.

A hugely impressive ride by jockey Patrick Wadge, and a victory for trainer Lucinda Russell.

Myretown leads over the last, stretching away...

Two fences to go.

Myretown leads by a length. Happygolucky has pushed up from midfield to join the front runners, The Changing Man still there too.

The favourites are still heading us up. The Changing Man is well placed with three to jump.

Myretown still elads, as Frero Banbou goes backwards after a mistake.

Myretown leads us over the water jump.

Six fences to go.

Rank outsider Farouk d'Alene has pulled up.

21 are still in the running.

Myretown has the favourite, The Changing Man, right on its back.

Long shot Frero Banbou is also doing well.