What a wonderful sight it was on Tuesday, to see Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle welcomed back like the heroes they are. Chants of Olé Olé Olé rang around the Pretsbury Park parade ring as, with no crowd making it in last year, race-goers made up for lost time this time around.
From an Irish perspective, that was a tremendous moment but, unlike last year, it looks like the British horses are set to be much more competitive this time around.
Cheltenham Day Two.
Indeed, once again,
Honeysuckle, De Bromhead and Blackmore were the saving grace on the day as after the first three races, Ireland was yet to get off the mark.
This trend continued in the mares' hurdle when, in rounding off a good day for the Seven Barrows trainer, Nicky Henderson's Marie Rock became just the third English horse ever to win the race.
Elsewhere, Padraig Roche had a great win with Brazil in the Boodles while Willie Mullins finally got off the mark when his son Paddy steered Statler to glory in the last race of the day.
Cheltenham Day Two.
Wednesday is another day though and the Closutton maestro will be hoping that form continues on with Sir Gerhard odds-on in the opening race of the day, the Ballymore Novice's Hurdle.
He's also mob-handed in the big race of the day - undoubtedly the race of the festival too - when his duo of Chacun Pour Soi and Energumene take on Shishkin, Envoi Allen, and Put the Kettle On.
It's bound to be a great day of racing and you can follow it all right here with us on SportsJOE.
