Roarsome start

THAT was a special opening day at the Cheltenham Festival. . The roar that went up p ahead of the Supreme me Novices’ Hurdle sent a shiver down the spine and we can expect more, more and more of the same today. The trouble with Cheltenham is trying to work out where you focus your gaze, as every race is like the World Cup final. However, the Queen Mother Champion Chase has an Oscar-winning cast list that commands your attention this afternoon. Edwardstone leads the betting at 6-4, with Energumene not far behind at 13-8 for Willie Mullins.

And in the opinion of Cheltenham legend Ruby Walsh (above), the jockey on board Edwardstone holds all the aces.

‘Tom Cannon will revert and ride

JOIN THE PARTY FOR CHANCE TO WIN £10K

Edwardstone like he rode him in the Arkle last year. He is the one to beat,’ Ruby told Paddy Power News, where you can get the best tips and our legendary Cheat Sheet for every day of the Festival. ‘I didn’t think that would be the case leaving Cheltenham last year. I thought Energumene (right) would be too good for Edwardstone, who was already an eight-year-old, but to me Edwardstone has improved this year. ‘He’s a better horse this year than last year and I think he’ll win the Champion Chase. ‘I don’t think the tactics got Energumene beat in the

Clarence House. I just wasn’t sure there was the same spark.’

The hangovers from yesterday are barely subsiding and we are into round two this afternoon.

Yet it would be wrong not to leave everything out there on this most special of weeks.

So we need to alert you to the ultimate Cheltenham party that will be taking place at the Paddy Power Fanzone in London on Friday.

The final day of the Festival tends to be a day when the fatigue has well and truly set in, but Paddy Power have a cure for that problem. They are taking over Greenwood Sports Pub & Kitchen in central London for a shindig that could make this St Patrick’s Day the best you’ve had. You’ve got to be aged 18 or over to attend and anyone lucky enough to land a ticket will be able to get their hands on some legendary Paddy Power pants! Perhaps best of all, Paddy Power are giving away £10,000 on the day, and the entry ticket to the venue bags you a place in the competition.

So if you fancy watching all the racing on Friday at the Festival with like-minded folk, big screens, prizes and more fun than you can shake a Peaky Blinders cap at, hurry over and book your tickets.

Head to DesignMyNight.com and search for Paddy Power Fanzone now to secure your

spot.