Inglis Drever regained his World Hurdle crown at Cheltenham with a dramatic win by three-quarters of a length over Mighty Man. The winner of the 2005 race, ridden by Paddy Brennan, took control late on in a race which saw the favourite Black Jack Ketchum fall at the third fence.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Taranis followed in the footsteps of stablemate Thisthatandtother with victory in the Ryanair Chase.
Ruby Walsh's mount led turning for home and sealed the race with a magnificent leap at the last.
Elsewhere, there was a first Cheltenham winner for trainer David Arbuthnot and jockey Tom Doyle when Oscar Park won the Pertemps Final Hurdle while the 2005 Coral Cup winner Idole First took the Racing Post Plate.
1720 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle (3m)
1. Oscar Park (T Doyle) 14-1
2. Material World (C Bolger) 14-1
3. Adamant Approach (Mr P W Mullins) 16-1
4. Mistanoora (Tony Evans) 33-1
24 ran. Dist: �, 3�
1710BBC Sport's Honest Frank at Cheltenham: There was concern after the National Hunt Chase when the winning horse Butler's Cabin collapsed.
The horse was given medical treatment, including oxygen, and got back on his feet. Winning owner JP McManus said he expected him to recover.
1640 National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup (4m 1f)
1. Butler's Cabin (Mr Alan Berry) 33-1
2. Character Building (Mr Derek O'Connor) 7-1
3. Countess Trifaldi (Mr C J Sweeney) 100-1
19 ran. Dist: �, 10
Alan Berry rode a patient race to get 33-1 shot Butler's Cabin home in front in the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup.
Jonjo O'Neill's seven-year-old staked his claim soon after jumping the penultimate fence, at which hot favourite Gungadu crashed out when under pressure.
Although Character Building challenged, the grey drifted on the run-in allowing the winner triumph by three-quarters of a length.
1600 Racing Post Plate (2m5f)
1. Idole First (Alan O'Keeffe) 12-1
2. Palarshan (Richard Johnson) 28-1
3. Mariah Rollins (Mick FitzGerald) 20-1
4. Le Volfoni (Joe Tizzard)
23 ran. Dist: 4, 1�
On Ladies Day at Cheltenham, trainer Venetia Williams was celebrating as Idole First claimed a comfortable win in the Racing Post Plate.
The 2005 Coral Cup winner was in contention from a long way out as he travelled well under Alan O'Keeffe.
Idole First jumped the last fence confidently ahead of Mariah Rollins and bounded up the hill to the line.
Tony McCoy's gamble to starve himself to make the 10st 3lb required to ride the well-fancied Moncadou failed to pay off as the horse finished down the field.
1547: Ladbrokes' Mike Dillon on BBC Radio Five Live.
"It's been a score draw so far betwen punters and bookmakers but Kauto Star will make or break the meeting for bookmakers."
1530: Black Jack Ketchum's trainer Jonjo O'Neill on BBC Radio Five Live.
"I'm disappointed that he got no run but he's got up and we can try again. We can't do anything about it. The horse came here in great health and great form but we've got accept those things."
1515 Ladbrokes World Hurdle (3m)
1. Inglis Drever (PJ Brennan) 5-1
2. Mighty Man (Richard Johnson) 100-30
3. Blazing Bailey (Robert Thornton) 8-1
14 ran. Dist: �, 4
Inglis Drever, the 2005 winner, proved he was back to his best with a superb win to take the World Hurdle.
He struggled in the early stages but once Paddy Brennan got the eight-year-old running, he moved to challenge Mighty Man and Blazing Bailey.
Inglis Drever dug deep to hold on despite the efforts of his fast-finishing rivals for a famous victory.
The well-backed favourite Black Jack Ketchum fell early on leaving jockey Tony McCoy waiting for his first winner at the 2007 Festival.
"I didn't care if I had to come on crutches for this ride, I'd have done it. He's some horse."
Winning jockey Paddy Brennan, who fell on Ashley Brook in Wednesday's Queen Mother Champion Chase
1455:BBC Sport's Honest Frank at Cheltenham:
Ten-times champion jockey Tony McCoy is hoping World Hurdle favourite Black Jack Ketchum can bounce back from his disappointing defeat at Cheltenham last time.
"He's definitely one I'm looking forward to riding and hopefully he'll do the talking," said the rider from Northern Ireland, who is looking for his first 2007 Festival winner.
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Robert Thornton, rider of Blazing Bailey, who beat Black Jack Ketchum on their most recent run, said he is not worried about the fact no five-year-old horse has ever won the race.
"I'm very hopeful, I would have to be fairly confident. Something has to buck the trend. He likes it round here, so fingers crossed."
1435 Ryanair Chase (2m 5f)
1. Taranis (Ruby Walsh) 9-2
2. Our Vic (Timmy Murphy) 7-2
3. Billyvoddan (Richard Johnson) 20-1
9 ran. Dist: nk, �
Taranis, ridden by Ruby Walsh, withstood a late fightback on the final run-in to win the Ryanair Chase.
After pacesetter Crozan fell at the fourth-last fence, it left the Paul Nicholls-trained horse in the lead and Walsh had to work hard on his mount.
He was given a scare on the run-in when Our Vic, who had seemed to struggle for much of the race, put in a late charge, along with Billyvoddan.
But Taranis kept his nose in front to win by a neck.
"This is a bloody good horse. The ground was too soft for him earlier in the season. This time I thought he was in the lead too soon as he tends to idle in front."
Winning trainer Paul Nicholls
1425: Trainer Robert Alner tells BBC Radio Five Live that his charge The Listener is not a definite starter for Friday's Gold Cup because of the fast-drying ground. A decision on his participation will be made on Friday morning.
1400 Jewson Novices Handicap Chase (2m 5f)
1. L'Antartique (G Lee) 20-1
2. Bob Hall (N Fehily) 10-1
3. Wee Robbie (L Aspell) 20-1
4. Rasharrow (K Mercer) 14-1
19 ran. Dist: 2, 2�
L'Antartique gave trainer Ferdy Murphy his second win of the week with a determined display to win the Jewson Novices Handicap Chase.
The 20-1 shot came from off the pace to overhaul leader Wee Robbie between the final two fences.
He jumped the last safely and although he struggled on his way up the hill, he went on to win by two lengths to make it the third day in a row that the opening race has gone to a big-priced horse.
The well-fancied King Revo was pulled up while top weight New Little Bric found it too tough and finished 7th.
"He's got lots of ability. The pace was ferocious but his jumping stood up to it and I'm delighted."
Winning jockey Graham Lee
1347: It's a final chance for punters to pick their choice for the opening race as the horses make their way around the parade ring. Jockeys are set to be given their last instructions by owners and trainers.
1335:BBC Sport's Honest Frank at Cheltenham
Zara Phillips is looking glamorous in a tweed three-piece trouser suit, topped with a brown cord trilby. The 2006 BBC Sports Personality of the Year is accompanied by her boyfriend, England rugby star Mike Tindall.
1323: He might be favourite but King Revo is being opposed in the day's opening race, the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase. There has been money for Rasharrow, who is in from 28-1 to 16-1.
1315:Labelthou's trainer Emma Lavelle on BBC Radio Five Live
She has a chance and has shown good form all year. The problem is the ground drying out although it won't bother her. The softer ground would have inconvenienced more of her rivals.
1305:BBC Sport's Honest Frank at Cheltenham
"It looks as though Black Jack Ketchum is being backed ahead of the World Hurdle. He's been cut to 2-1 from 9-4 with one leading Irish bookmaker while outsider Fire Dragon has been cut to 66-1 from 150s by two firms after being recommended by a leading telephone tipster. Mighty Man is also proving popular."
1255:BBC Sport's Honest Frank at Cheltenham
"The ground has dried out for Black Jack Ketchum fans with the course now riding good to soft. There is a relaxed atmosphere as clouds gather for a cooler feel than the opening two days. There are plenty of stylish female racegoers on what the course has labelled Ladies Day."
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