A new dawn, the penultimate day at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival, and even jaundiced expectations can at least start on a high again with seven races in prospect, the highlight of which is the World Hurdle
But of course it is Ladies Day, and the concentration of even the most dedicated student of the turf can be lost to the numerous colourful and exotic attractions on show
An eager early gathering assess their options, and also the forthcoming races
Proof, if it were needed, that opulence is alive and well in the higher echelons of National Hunt racing
Zara Phillips is no stranger to the jumps, an accomplished equestrienne who qualified in Equine Physiotherapy and winner of the World Eventing Championship in 2006, here accompanied by partner, rugby player Mike Tindell
Competition for the most ludicrously complicated hat is as fierce as the racing and this floriferous effort is much admired, although local gardeners anxiously check their trellis areas
But it is all the about the racing, they say, and 12-1 shot Copper Bleu claims the opening race, the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase, to give Richard Johnson his second winner of the week
Buena Vista captures the Pertemps Final Handicap, surging clear to win handsomely by five lengths
The legendary AP McCoy has a worrying fall in the opening race but is unscathed and here rides Albertas Run to victory by four-and-a-half lengths, a stewards' enquiry into the riding of the second and third placed horses not altering the result
Ruby Walsh moves clear of Time for Rupert, who finishes second, and a masterful display sees the 5-6 favourite time his run for home to perfection to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths
Ruby Walsh (far left) and trainer Paul Nicholls (far right) celebrate their impressive victory
The importance of the racing results are temporarily lost on this lucky emerald-clad mature gentleman, whose thoughts are rightly elsewhere
The most important 1-2-3 to some; winner of best hat is Molly McGarvey (left), coveted best dresser is Cheltenham's own beauty Carly Shave (centre) with the best accessories award going to Bernadette O'Sullivan from Killarney (right)
Jockey Richard Harding guides top weight Ballabriggs over one of the fences on their way to winning the Fulke Walayn Kim Muir Challenge Cup to give Donald McCain his second victory of this year's Festival
The grey Great Endeavour travels smoothly under Danny Cook on the way to claiming the Byrne Group Plate by a length and a quarter from the favourite Sunnyhill Boy
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