Apple's Jade has been better than ever this season and showed she was fully effective at two miles when romping home by 16 lengths in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

"I was nervous before the Dublin Racing Festival. Everyone was telling me - people you respect in racing and press people - that she could win a Champion Hurdle," said trainer Gordon Elliott.

"I have to say myself that I didn't know if she could show the pace she showed in Leopardstown.

"She just showed how good she is. She was awesome the last day and has been awesome all season."

It seems extraordinary that Buveur D'Air has been hooved out of the way in terms of leading the market. But it is Apple's Jade who is being backed by those who know the most...

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Nicky Henderson on Buveur D'Air: "He's in really good shape - he's not had the credit he's deserved. He wasn't at his best last year. He can cross an obstacle as quick as possible. He's very, very slick."

Hatton's Grace. Sir Ken. Persian War. See You Then. Istabraq.

Buveur D'Air?

Nicky Henderson's charge, with Barry Geraghty on board, is aiming to add his name to that illustrious list and become the sixth horse to record three successive victories in the Champion Hurdle.

"I think I would be comfortable to say he is as good as we have had him all year," said Henderson.

"Barry came and schooled him and then rode him in a bit of work last week and thought he felt great - sometimes he tells me he doesn't.

"It would be great if he could do it as he would join history if he could. I do think it is more competitive than last year, but I don't think he was right last year."

Image source, Getty Images

Who are you looking out for here? Apple's Jade, Laurina and Buveur D'Air are occupying most minds in the Cotswolds...

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Commentator John Hunt expects to be calling home Apple's Jade on BBC Radio 5 Live as the winner of the Champion Hurdle (15:30).

"I think we'll see Apple's Jade put in an amazing performance. She's a monster," he said.

"Springtown Lake (16:50) has an each-way chance. He showed a wonderful attitude when winning at Sandown and has been lightly raced since by trainer Philip Hobbs, who is back in form after a difficult season."

Three down and now it's time for the big one....

13:30 - Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle Race 2m 87y - KLASSICAL DREAM

14:10 - Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase 1m 7f - DUC DES GENIEVRES

14:50 - Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase 3m 1f - BEWARE THE BEAR

15:30 - Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 2m ½f

16:10 - OLBG Mares' Hurdle Race 2m 3f 200y

16:50 - Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase 2m 4f 44y

17:30 - National Hunt Chase (Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase) 3m 7f 147y

One trainer who is always worth backing is Willie Mullins.

Two wins for the Irishman in the opening two races would have landed you a 41-1 double.

His talented mare Laurina's odds for the Champion Hurdle at 15:30 GMT are shortening by the minute!

Image source, Getty Images

Who's this fella backing?

Image source, Reuters

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Owner Anne Barlow: "It's very exciting. Amazing - he won here on New Year's Day and was also brilliant. I was screaming right till the end. We're having a party on Sunday so this is just the tip of the iceberg."

The cameras picked up Beware The Bear owner Anne Barlow screaming her horse home. Wonderful image. That's what it means to connections!

She claps in the horse - and jubilant jockey Jerry McGrath - as they return to the winners' enclosure.

Image source, PA

Winning jockey Jerry McGrath, who rode his second winner at the Festival: "The blinkers made a big difference and he jumped and travelled brilliantly.

"It's been a few years since my last Cheltenham winner and I'll enjoy this one."

And Beware The Bear's win leaves trainer Nicky Henderson celebrating his 61st Festival winner - narrowing the gap again on old foe Willie Mullins.

Mullins is two ahead in terms of all-time winners following his victories in the first two races.

Image source, Reuters

Full result

1 Beware The Bear (Jerry McGrath) 10-1

2 Vintage Clouds (Danny Cook) 16-1

3 Lake View Lad (Henry Brooke) 25-1

4 Big River (D R Fox) 28-1

24 ran

Beware The Bear roars down the straight! The horse pricks his ears as the line approaches, he knows he has down enough.

Or has he? Vintage Clouds is fighting back... but no! Beware The Bear is guided over the line by Jeremiah McGrath.

Vintage Clouds and Beware the Bear edge ahead with one to go...

Image source, Reuters

O O Seven has been galloping out in front for most of the race - has he got the stamina to last?

Two to jump... this is still anyone's race...

O O Seven leads by a length with nine fences to jump.Vintage Clouds has breezed into second, leading a pack of three greys chasing the leader.

You could throw a blanket over more than half the field...

O O Seven, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico De Boinville, heads the early running in a tightly-packed field...