Faugheen wins the Novices' Hurdle.

Faugheen hits the front, but loses ground as he clips the third from home. But it looks like a showdown between him and Red Sherlock over the last.

Faugheen is being to show, moving up into second on Cole Harden's haunches.

The pace begins to quicken as they head downhill and through the halfway point. Still Cole Harden, Creepy and Shanahan's Turn making the running.

Creepy is second, running wide on the outside, just behind Cole Harden. Shanahan's Turn is well placed in the chasing group.

Cole Harden takes them over the second with favourite Faugheen running nicely in fourth.

Right, all 15 runners are finally together as Shanahan's Turn joins the rest. And we are off with a roar from the stands.

Irish raider Shanahan's Turn has also been back to the stable to sort a minor problem, buts strides back out through the parade ring to join the rest of the field out on the course. Nothing to concern his backers as he trots up to make up the ground.

Lieutenant Colonel has not been in action since November but has good form to back up his claims with second-placed finishes behind Vautour and Wicklow Brave, the winner and sixth-placed finisher in yesterday's Supreme Novices Hurdle, to his name.

Red Sherlock is another unbeaten contender with three wins over hurdles and three bumper successes. He has won over this course and distance, beating Rathvinden, another runner in this race, in January.

The first race, the Novices' Hurdle, is a little over 10 minutes away and Faugheen, who is set to go off favourite, has headed back to the stables from the paddock to sort out a shoe issue.

Trained by Willie Mullins, he has won on all five starts so far in an impeccable record. His jumping has been a little patchy at times though.

Our Conor's owner Barry Connell told the Racing Post about what he went through yesterday.

"With Our Conor there was unfulfilled potential and everyone knew what he was capable of. He walked around the ring today in the form of his life and he didn't turn a hair," he said.

"The vets were very good. They gave him a sedative straight away and he wasn't in any pain. They just wanted to be thorough and make sure everything that could be done was done for him.

"Unfortunately it happens from time to time and it's sad when it does. It goes with the territory."

Image source, PA

There was a record first-day crowd of 57,098 in attendance at Cheltenham yesterday.

They saw history made, with Quevega becoming the first horse to win six successive Cheltenham titles with victory in the Mares' Hurdle, surprise winners, as Jezki and Western Warhorse picked up the Champion Hurdle and Arkle Chase respectively, and some sad scenes.

Our Conor, trained by Dessie Hughes, was put down after suffering a serious fall in the day's feature race.

Matthew Wright: , externalRed Sherlock & Katgary are two I'm hoping come in today. Last years Sprinter Sacre victory was 'Beasting'

Marcus Tyler:, external At work ready to cheer Red Sherlock, Get Me Out Of Here, Sire De Grugy, Big Shu and Ivan Grozny hoping I won't be sat here again tomorrow.

Dan: , externalFaugheen, Captain Conan and Big Shu are my three tips for today!

Image source, PA

Two horses to look out for for different reasons will be Dunguib in the Coral Cup at 14:40 and Value At Risk in the Champion Bumper at 17:15. They are two of the three runners to arrive at the Festival from Philip Fenton's Tipperary yard.

Fenton will soon face a court hearing over charges of possessing anabolic steroids and other banned substances.

The British Horseracing Authority made the trip across the Irish Sea to test all three of his Cheltenham contenders and has cleared them to compete.

They have been reading the form runes in the press box and there is plenty of variety to their predictions for today's action.

The Guardian's Chris Cook backs Kid Cassidy to repeat his November win over Sire de Grugy over the same course and distance. "He will bounce off this ground and may be suited by a race as strongly run as this one should be," he writes., external

Daily Telegraph tipster Marlborough throws the Willie Mullins-trained Arvika Ligeonniere into the mix for the day's big race., external

Daily Mirror's Newsboy believes that Captain Conan"is poised to give trainer Nick Henderson a Champion Chase hat-trick", external after the Lambourn-based successes of Finian's Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre in the last two stagings.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

"Champion Chase favourite Sire De Grugy is proving a popular selection again after his odds drifted slightly this morning, and is now back to 3-1 from 10-3.

"Charlie McCann of race sponsors BetVictor said it appeared that many punters believe any price over 3-1 is worth taking about this season's two-time Grade One winner.

"Meanwhile, there is support for Coral Cup contender Bayan (10-1), which is thought to be one of the week's best chances for shrewd Irish trainer Gordon Elliott.

"If you're having a wager, it's worth looking around for various offers from bookmakers, with Coral paying out on the first five home in this race for each-way purposes."

The Today programme hand out a racing tip a day on Radio Four. Well, my co-pilot on today's coverage Ian Baker has spoiled us with one to watch in every race. From the top. Faugheen, Ballycasey, Get Me Out Of Here, Sizing Europe, Sizing Australia, Dawalan and Shaneshill.

Make of that what you will.

Image source, Getty Images

This is some more sensible millinery. The Duchess of Cornwall is at the course and keeping the chill off with a robust number.

Zara Phillips and Princess Anne are also representing the Royal Family. Zara was down with husband Mike Tindall yesterday and the former England centre stopped by to chat horses and newborns with BBC Points West.

Image source, Getty Images

Cheltenham organisers have been promoting Wednesday as Ladies' Day at the Festival. Cue some silly headwear and self promotion. They don't look like they are having as much fun as the ladies of Aintree will next month either.