Al Boum Photo falls and Presenting Percy hits the front...

Just four to go and Black Corton, who has lead from front to back, is still at the front.

But they are massing behind with Monalee in second and Ballyoptic well placed.

Presenting Percy is lurking a little further back.

Anyone's race...

Bryony Frost's Mum has been speaking to John Inverdale of how she can't watch Bryony in action, "There's no point me coming as I can't watch the races....I just box walk."

Did you know Bryony Frost's childminder was a donkey. Intrigued? Read more here.

Black Corton - with Bryony Frost on board - has recovered from an error and looks smooth and comfortable at the front of the pack.

And we are up and running.

Presenting Percy is at the back of the field. Monalee went off as second favourite.

Black Corton is at the front of things with still 15 to jump.

Image source, PA

Next up on the card is the RSA Chase over a smidge more than three miles.

Presenting Percy, ridden by Davy Russell, is set to go off favourite after battling Irish Grand National winner Our Duke to a creditable second in the Red Mills Chase.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

I've been asking some of the BBC 5 live team, who are covering all 28 races this week, for their selections:

Reporter Gina Harding: 14:10, Monalee (3-1)

The RSA can be a real stamina-sapping slog, which should play into the hands of thorough stayer Monalee. He was an excellent second in the Albert Bartlett last year and has already proved himself a better chaser than a hurdler and should have an excellent chance of landing the spoils for trainer Henry De Bromhead.

Commentator John Hunt:16:10, Tiger Roll (5-1)

Can anything stop the incredible Cause Of Causes from landing yet another Festival win in the Cross Country Chase? Maybe Tiger Roll is the one? He's looking for his third Festival win and trainer Gordon Elliott apparently has him in peak form once more.

The big race is attracting the big bets.

One male punter from Manchester has had a large flutter on Altior for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

He’s staked £10,000 at 10:30 GMT this morning on the eight-year-old Altior at 11-10.

Elsewhere, £5,500 was placed on Min to emerge victorious from a punter in Dublin at around 07:45 GMT this morning.

Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek said: “It is significant that Min is now a shorter price than stablemate Douvan, external after Walsh chose to ride the latter.

“Given the strength of both Melon and Rathvinden from the Mullins yard before their good runs yesterday, the support for Min could prove significant."

Image source, PA

Some more reaction from Samcro taking victory in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle.

Eighteen-year-old Jack Kennedy has spoken to 5 live after his victory in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle: "Unreal. It is just a class horse I was there way to soon on him and he kept going. He had a guess at one of the hurdles and I wasn't happy with the position I was in and ended being there soon, but he just kept going."

Owner Michael O'Leary on the hype around Samcro: "The hype is never justified. He did very well. Gordon had him in peak condition and Jack rode him well. I got a bit sweaty coming to the last.... it's just a relief to get one on the board but it was a very good performance."

The bookies suffered a little yesterday with some well-backed favourites coming home.

And their luck has not changed yet.

Lines of people are waiting for them to unload their satchels after Samcro's win.

App users may need to click through to view Francis Keogh's tweet.

BBC Radio 5 live

Wales' head coach Warren Gatland has swapped the soft pitch at the Principality Stadium for the soft course at Cheltenham Festival. He's been chatting to John Inverdale ahead of today's racing. Gatland has a share in four horses in Australia that run in New Zealand.

On Wales' Six Nations campaign, Gatland said "It's been brilliant competition this year, been very tough to win away, good for northern hemisphere rugby."We're looking for a win on Saturday against France and second-placed finish. England need to win, they'll be more desperate."

On champions Ireland, who will lift the trophy this weekend: "Maybe the Irish will have celebrated too much..."

Image source, Reuters

As teenage jockey Jack Kennedy waves the Irish tricolour to the crowd in the winners' enclosure, let's take a look forward.

Next up on the card is the RSA Chase - featuring Presenting Percy. That one goes off at 14:10.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Samcro, winner of the first race has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 live.

"I can't believe it. I was nervous, very nervous."

On the pressure for the big occasions.”There is as much on this as there on Don Cossack (2016 winner) for the Gold Cup. I’m delighted. There was a lot of pressure on Jack. A big team effort, I can’t believe it."

The Duchess of Cornwall has arrived at Cheltenham Racecourse for Ladies' Day.

Image source, PA

The cream rises to the top.

Samcro just had too much firepower left in the legs for the rest of the field, surging clear when jockey Jack Kennedy asked him for a little more.

Owner Michael O'Leary - the Ryanair big cheese - looks suitably cheery.

1 Samcro (J W Kennedy) 8-11 Fav

2 Black Op (N D Fehily) 8-1

3 Next Destination (R Walsh) 4-1

Samcro is moving up the field as inevitably as a rising tide. He is sat in fourth as they clear the second last.

And now he goes!....

Image source, Getty Images

Scarpeta and Gowiththeflow at the front...oh! A lot of punters sigh with relief as favourite Samcro clatters a hurdle but keeps his footing. Jockey Jack Kennedy with a superb salvage job on board.

The flag drops and we are up and running in the second day of the Festival.

Samcro is into the middle of the pack with Scarpeta and Vision Des Flos taking up the pace.

So who could be the threat to Samcro's procession?

Next Destination is fresh off a Grade One win at Naas and trainer Willie Mullins has won four of the last 10 editions of this race.

Black Op and Noel Fehily - going for his 100th win of the season - could figure if they recreat some electric form that delivered success at Doncaster.