Cheltenham rises to the Festivities

Two days into the biggest horse racing festival to hit British shores and Cheltenham has got punters and professionals chomping on the bit as the event reaches its midway point.

Yesterday saw favourites cook up a storm in a tantalising start to the day's racing, with amateur jockey Derek O'Connor giving punters a perfect start to the day as he rode Chicago Grey comfortably home, before second-favourite First Lieutenant took the Neptune Novices' Hurdle, beating outsider Rock On Ruby by a nose in the hottest closing stages the festival has seen yet.

Favourites seemed to fade in the backgrounds thereafter, with a fleet of outsiders - including 16/1 shots Bostons Angel and Carlito Brigante claiming victories over tough fields. Meanwhile, the highly-anticipated Queen Mother Chase saw 10/1 shot Sizing Europe pass the post first, beating favourite Big Zeb as a lacklustre Master Minded finished mid-way through the pack.

The first day's racing again produced a mixed bag, with a fleet of favourites dominating the placings in every race. The impressive Quevega took yet another win - though with odds of less than evens going into the race, was always expected to claim the victory - whilst in the day's biggest race Hurricane Fly beat fellow favourite Peddler's Cross in the Champion Hurdle.

If the first two days of the festival are anything to go by, the next two will surely cook up quite the storm - and with today being St. Patrick's Day, the continuous flowing of Guinness will, without fail, liven up spectator spirits to dizzy heights regardless of where their hopeful horses place.

Today see's hopes rest upon the shoulders of Grade I dynamos Big Bucks, Poquelin and Wishfull Thinking, with the day's six races packing a punch with every name booked to race.

Regardless of the results, I for one will be glued to the TV screen as the day rolls on, and with the increasing media speculation over the festival, I'm sure I'm not the only one eagerly awaiting another day's racing, and just like any other punter at the festival, I won't be far off sipping the Guinness and readying myself for another electrifying day at the country's biggest show.