"Sprinter Sacre" has lived-up to his billing as the next superstar of National Hunt racing after storming to victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
On a day when Willie Mullins bagged another two winners, it was the top English trainer, Nicky Henderson who landed the feature as his seven-year-old star cruised to an astonishing 19-length victory over former champion "Sizing Europe".
There were four Irish-trained winners on Day 2, with the Mullins stable winning the first and last races on today’s card.
Mullins added to his opening-day hat-trick when his son Patrick partnered "Back in Focus" in the John Oaksey Chase.
That race saw disappointment for Tubber Jockey Derek O’Connor
Aboard Reval Destruval, O’Connor was headed towards what would have been a strong result but the horse fell at the second last fence of the 4 mile race
Later, Mullins and Ruby Walsh teamed up once mroe to saddle the 25-to-1 shot "Briar Hill" to victory in the Champion Bumper.
Gordon Elliot and Jim Culloty were the other two Irish trainers to visit the winners enclosure today.
Former "Best Mate" jockey Culloty bagged his first Cheltenham winner as a trainer when "Lord Windermere" stayed on strongly to win the RSA Chase.
Elliot’s "Flaxen Flare" came home first in the Grade 3 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle after pulling clear on the home straight to claim a superb 4-length victory.