It is worth keeping an eye out for Ms Parfois who has wins at Cheltenham, Newbury and Warwick under her belt. There is plenty of evidence of the stamina that will be needed over the four-mile trip.

Sizing Tennessee - out of Colin Tizzard's yard - also has a shot.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

On rain-softened ground, the National Hunt Chase (16:50) over four miles is likely to be a gruelling affair.

It is a race for amateur and novice riders, and there are few better than JJ Codd, who partners Jury Duty for Gordon Elliott. The trainer has another leading candidate is Mossback, the mount of Lisa O’Neill.

Image source, Reuters

Chin up.

Next on the card is the Novices' Chase, a big field with plenty of prospects...

Tea has arrived for John Inverdale and the team in the commentary box ....

Image source, BBC Sport

...keep the carbs in mind, guys...

After a dry day, the ground conditions have improved a bit...

BBC Radio 5 live

Winning owner Rich Ricci on Benie Des Dieux: 'Can't describe it. What a ride. Vroum Vroum Mag was a great chaser before hurdles and Benie Des Dieux also puts a lot of pressure on her hindquarters. What a fantastic ride by Ruby Walsh, dear lord. The name means child of gold. She could beat anything.'

Charlie Poste
National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live

No such thing as a good thing. Unfortunately she couldn't get up front. It was vintage Ruby Walsh. He just kept cajoling and a great jump at the last meant he was never going to be beaten.

Well, well, well.

A dogged, determined ride from Ruby Walsh who sticks around watches the others make mistakes in front and then hangs tough to beat Midnight Tour for the win.

Apple's Jade looked the business but ended a busted flush as she faded away...

1. Benie Des Dieux R Walsh 9-2

2. Midnight Tour D N Russell 33-1

3. Apple's Jade J W Kennedy 1-2 Fav

4. Indian Stream

And Midnight Tour has come into the equation.

La Bague Au Roi hits the last hard...

La Bague Au Roi now takes on the pace with three to jump but Apple's Jade is right in the pocket, locked and loaded and ready to go...

Apple's Jade has pranced to the front of the pace, making light of the ground.

She looks as perky as a Pekingese.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Image source, Rex Features

Lizzie Kelly who won the Handicap Chase earlier today on Coo Star Sivola has arrived back with the 5 live commentary team:

"I feel I have been walking very slowly through an incredibly busy world. Aidan Coleman told me just to take my time and relish the feeling," she said.

"I have gone to the front too soon before and been caught on that horse before, but when i made that decision to go, I had to go for it. I couldn't dawdle and dither. That was the race right there."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Gordon Elliott was top trainer at the Festival for the first time last year and saddles odds-on favourite Apple’s Jade in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle (16:10).

She gave Elliott one of six victories at the 2017 meeting and has won her last five races.

Next up is the Mares' Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs...

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Just a quick tip of the wink that we are flipping from BBC Radio 5 live to 5 live sports extra on our radio commentary.

Still another three races to go though so stay with us...

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, BBC Sport

Willie Mullins on runner-up Melon: "Terrific performance from Melon. He didn't like the hood so we took that off. He's a horse that's going to only improve as well - he'll be better next year. We'll keep him hurdling I think rather than chasing."

Mullins on Faugheen: "Ruby says Faugheen wants a longer trip. It'll be at those staying trips where he comes alive. All my runners have come back fine thankfully."

BBC Radio 5 live

Winning trainer Nicky Henderson: "They went off at some gallop, you couldn't believe that they would keep that up the whole way, but they did.

"The second horse is a good horse. Buveur D'Air has been wininng races by large margins all season and that was the first race he has been in. He has not had to knuckle down so far. But that is job done.

"He is a young horse and has done everything right so far. That was a big relief. We were expected to collect and he did. It gives us hope for the rest of the meeting."

Cornelius Lysaght
BBC horse racing correspondent at Cheltenham

Faugheen and Yorkhill being well beaten is a big part of the story.

It will be interesting to see what Buveur D'Air connections what they make of that, he was pushed hard by Melon - who is a good, rather than great, horse - but they are a double Champion Hurdle winner and there are not many who can say that.

BBC Radio 5 live

Tom Scudamore on Barry Geraghty: "That was a great ride. You talk about goal hanger in football but knowing the positioning to go and do that. It would have been very easy to jump the last and push too hard but he didn't and he has earned his keep. One of the best rides I've ever seen."

Image source, Reuters