Hussard Collonges held off a strong field to win the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase at Cheltenham at the longest odds in the race's 74-year history.

The 33-1 shot, ridden by Russ Garritty, showed tremendous courage to hold off the attention of champion jockey Tony McCoy on Iznogoud.

Hussard Collonges' trainer, Peter Beaumont, said: "He's a lovely horse. I told Russ just to keep handy - but he knows what to do better than me."

The old three-and-a-half mile course proved too much for many of the front-runners in the betting.

Unexpected

Valley Henry - who was backed heavily just before the off - was the first to go, crashing down before the field had completed a circuit.

Later on Harbour Pilot, Risk Assessor and strongly-fancied French horse Japhet were to lose their jockeys.

Martin Pipe had to wait for the third race of the second day of the Festival for his first winner - and when it came it was most unexpected.

Ilnamar - a 25-1 rank outsider - streaked clear of a bumper Coral Eurobet Cup field to win for the champion trainer.

But the win for Martin Pipe did not change McCoy's luck at this year's Festival.

Dramatic opener

Without a winner so far, he chose to ride favourite Golden Alpha, who struggle in the ground.

That meant retainer Rodi Greene was left to pilot Ilnamar home.

In the Mildmay of Fleet Challenge Cup - a good indicator for the Grand National - McCoy's ride, the well-backed Lady Cricket, was pipped at the post by 25/1 shot Blowing Wind.

Joss Naylor was a distant second, while the well backed Master Tern finished third.

In a dramatic opening race, Galileo (12/1) rode his luck to claim the Royal & Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle.

Held up in the rear of a 27-horse field, jockey Jason Maguire pushed him through a tiring field until he was just behind the leaders.

Stewards inquiry

He was fortunate not to fall when long time leader Keen Leader fell awkwardly on the hill and brought down a couple of horses.

But once Maguire had hurdled the trouble he found himself one from the front.

After rounding long time leader Lanzerac he held off the keen challenge of Over the Bar (14-1) at the last to streak home by three-and-a-half lengths.

Jonjo O'Neill's flighty stayer, Rith Dubh, cruised round the inside rail to take the National Hunt Challenge Cup from Timbera.

In the last race, the Bumper NH Flat, Jamie Spencer survived a stewards inquiry to bring home Pizarro from favourite Rhinestone Cowboy.