Cheltenham Festival - day three

I haven't won a cool million, but even if I had, I would be back in the live text saddle for tomorow's action. Not least to see the latest installment of the Rocky v Creed style epic that is Kauto Star against Long Run. Gold Cup kick-off is 1520, but there is plenty to get your teeth into from 1200 right here. Look forward to seeing you then.

"The lad who looks after Finian's Rainbow had a 5-timer on Nicky Henderson winners & has won \u00a31 million! Says he'll still be at work tomorrow."

Winning jockey Tina Cook: "It was absolutely brilliant the horse was so professional throughout the whole race. It has been hard work but there has been a great group of people with every one behind each other. It would have been great if Dad had been here for it."

Lots of hugs and laughs amongst the Gifford family as Tina Cook dismounts in the winners' circle.

Still pursuing the full finishing details for you, but I think Pascha Bere was followed home by Wild Desert, Oh Khee and Prince of Fire.

Trainer Nick Gifford: "We were not expecting that at all. We thought we would just go out and have some fun. It is one of those days, you think it couldn't happen but it has. Dad was probably blowing her down the home straight."

PASCHA BERE WINS THE ST PATRICK'S DAY DERBY

Wild Desert leads from Oh Khee into the final straight...

On Khee leads with Crunched lurking ominously and Prince of Fire out the back

We are go...

Other contenders include Pascha Bere, ridden by 2012 hopeful Tina Cook and trained by Nick Gifford. Thei pair's father Josh Gifford, a Grand National winning trainer, passed away earlier this year.

Crunched is owned by a syndicate made up of patrons of Prince Harry's favourite nightclub Boujis apparently. I expect it will be over-priced, firework topped cocktails rather than a smooth pint of stout to toast any victory.

On to the last... Twelve runners in the St Patrick's Day Derby and all the proceeds go to Cancer Research. Faces to look for include the thinned-down version of Racing UK pundit Niall Hannity who has lost three stone to pilot Crunched.

Interesting words from Ladbrokes David Williams. Although he admits the punters have bitten back today, he maintains the bookmakers don't mind taking a hit on a phenomenon like Big Buck's because of the publicity he brings to the event. "Whatever is lost on the trading front, take off the marketing budget," he tells Racing UK.

Winning jockey Alan Berry: "He is a horse I ride at home all the time and everything he does impresses you. He is getting older but he has still got it."

Winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill: "He is a brilliant horse, a tough honest horse for the yard. He is not very big and needs all the help he can get so I would have preferred better ground, but he came through strong."

A third winning favourite and it is the second winner of the week for trainer Jonjo O'Neill. Sunnyhillboy, placed in the Bryne Group Plate in 2010, showed he fully justified his supporters' confidence as he powered away from the gallant Becauseicouldntsee in the home straight.

SUNNYHILLBOY WINS THE KIM MUIR CHASE

Fredo and French challenger Swing Bill are well placed but it is still Becauseicouldn'tsee and Benbane Head up top....

A leisurely pace with no-one keen to take on the responsibility, still BecauseICouldn'tSee heads the field...

BecauseIcouldntsee and Benbane Head occupy the front slots with Adam's Island in third...

The field are held for a considerable time at the start as Midnight Appeal and then Sona Sasta are caught broadside on to the tape. Finally they get away...

Sunnyhillboy is giving the bookies the greatest concern and is going to head to the start post for the 1640 at a price of about 7-1. Up the Beat is another more-than-capable Irish raider, while Brackloon High could feature in the closing stages.

Wins for the favourites in the last two races and hopefully that has breathed some life into some flat-lining accounts. Two more races to redeem yourselves if not, with the cumbersomely named Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (1640) before the hit-and-giggle charity race that round us off at 1715.

Salut Flo jockey Tom Scudamore, whose Grand National winning grandfather Michael Scudamore has been taken ill, speaking on Channel 4: "It's been a hard week for all my family, but it's just wonderful [to win]. I'm so happy."

A dominant performance from Salut Flo who left the competition dodging the divots as he led from start to finish. Divers and Finger on the Pulse paid for having the temerity to challenge, dropping back down the field as they ran out of energy towards the end.

SALUT FLO WINS THE BYRNE GROUP PLATE

Salut Flo still powering away at the front, Divers and Finger on the Pulse lead the chase...

Salut Flo is straining at the reins, keen to get away and has a length lead on Finger on the Pulse...

Gilbarry, Finger on the Pulse and Holmwood Legend are mobbing behind the favourite Salut Flo with nine fences to go...

Notus de la Tour has hit the deck and is out of the running, Connor O'Farrell all ok. Salut Flo out in front...

They are away. Two miles and five furlongs is the distance...

Michael Byrne has taken over from Richard Johnson aboard Tartak, while Rebel Du Maquis and Jack The Giant are non-runners.

Salut Flo with Tom Scudamore on board is leading the betting heading into the Byrne Group Plate, but there is some tasty competition amongst the 22 runners including Crack Away Jack, a winner at Cheltenham a couple of years back.

BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra have been snapping away with the camera as well as badgering people with a microphone today. Great Britain skier Clemmy Allcott is amongst those on the memory card.

As you might expect, that proved a very popular win amongst the punters. The grandstand drone out Ruby Walsh's first name in his honour as he guides Big Buck's past the grandstand. There will be plastic pint pots aplenty filled on the back of his efforts.

Paul Nicholls, owner of record-breaking horse Big Buck's, on Channel 4: "He is a fantastic horse. He was in front a long way but he just keeps on galloping."

Voler la Vedette and Andrew Lynch kept Big Buck's honest to the end, crawling left and right behind the leader looking for a route through in the home straight, but Ruby Walsh kept driving his charge on and out of reach.

Winning jockey Ruby Walsh: "He sprinted off the bend and I guess with the way some of our horses were running they were starting to doubt, but they were foolish to doubt this fella."

BIG BUCK'S WINS THE WORLD HURDLE

Big Buck's pulls out another half-length as they approach the last, Voler la Vedette is the main threat...

Big Buck's flies over the third to last to take a half-length lead...

Mourad hits the front with Big Buck's following through with three to go....

Still Cross Kennon and Five Dream out front but it is congested behind them and plenty of fireworks to come...

Big Buck's in the sheepskin noseband is holding steady just off the back of the leading pair...

Five Dream and Cross Kennon take it out after being sent on their way and it is a decent pace...

It is difficult to see beyond that pairing but outsiders who might be worth a flutter for some value are Mourad and Smad Place. The field are circling, waiting for their orders.

But Oscar Whisky is looking to interrupt the flow of Big Buck's winnings and keep Nicky Henderson at the top of the standings. He has kicked on since finishing third in the Champion Hurdle last season and, although it will be his first trip over this distance, there is a plenty of love out there for him.

As they say in the stocks and shares, past performance may be no guide to futurer returns, but you would be a mug to ignore Big Buck's run of form.

The nine-year-old, trained by Paul Nicholls, is bidding to equal the record of 16 consecutive wins over hurdles set by Sir Ken in the 1950s and has not lost since the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup.

James Nesbitt displays the sort of smile he used to woo Helen Baxendale in Cold Feet as he heads up to collect his winnings. Right, on to the biggie....

Riverside Theatre co-owner James Nesbitt speaking to Channel 4: "I just can't believe the ride that Barry gave him and Nicky has done such an incredible job to bring him back like he has. The training performance at Ascot was extraordinary, but to have him in that nick today - to have that courage and battle like he did is incredible."

That victory, Nicky Henderson's 45th at Cheltenham, takes him top of the trainer's standings for this year's Festival.

Phew. What a barnstormer that was. It was an almighty three-way tussle coming over the final fence with Medermit on the inside just failing where Riverside Theatre succeeded in overhauling Albertas Run. Barry Geraghty, with a suitably dramatic sense of timing, kept spurring his mount on and got there to take the win in the nick of time.

Riverside Theatre trainer Nicky Henderson speaking to Channel 4: "You won't see a better race than that. That was some ride [from jockey Barry Geraghty] to get it right."

Riverside Theatre jockey Barry Geraghty speaking to Channel 4: "It was getting very tight for room but every time he [Riverside Theatre] found more. He's a very classy horse."

RIVERSIDE THEATRE WINS THE RYANAIR CHASE

Albertas Run can not get clear as Medermit challenges on the inside...

Somersby, Riverside Theatre and Medermit all with a good chance behind Albertas Run with two to go...

Rubi Light and Albertas Run take the pace but it is wide over with six to jump...

They head to the back straight with Great Endeavour still leading and Riverside Theatre in fifth...

Rubi Light and Little Josh in third and fourth position...

Great Endeavour and Albertas Run make the early running.

Poquelin has withdrawn just before the off, after suffering a cut mouth on the way to the start.

Riverside Theatre part-owner James Nesbitt speaking to Channel 4: "Being here this week with [trainer] Nicky Henderson is fantastic. He's [Riverside Theatre] looking great. He ran very well at Ascot and the year off has done him well."

Somersby beat Finian's Rainbow at in the Victor Chandler at Ascot earlier this season while Captain Chris, last year's Arkle winner, is a 10-1 chance.

Riverside Theatre has attracted plenty of interest, beat rival Medermit at Ascot on his comeback from a year off last time out and will go off carrying the favourite tag. Noble Prince, who won the Novices Chase 12 months ago, could pose a challenge.

Albertas Run is aiming for a fourth Festival success, and a third successive win in this race, on the day's first Grade 1 clash in the Ryanair Chase up next. The Irish challenger Realt Dubh is a non-runner.

Pertemps Final winning jockey Denis O'Regan: "It means a lot to have a winner here. It is very tough as a freelancer, so it is a great feeling to have a winner. Cape Tribulation is a lovely horse."

A real bolter from the blue for Denis O'Regan who steered Cape Tribulation straight through the middle of Catch Me and Cantlow and held strong right through the line. The winner came out of nowhere as Buena Vista faded away...

CAPE TRIBULATION WINS THE PERTEMPS FINAL

Cantlow is heading up into contention, but Cape Tribulation comes through to the front...

Palace Jester nudges ahead and Our Father is starting to emerge from midfield. Still plenty to do though for the favourite...

Pettifour and Kayf Aramis are the best placed of the rest of the contenders, Our Father lost at the back of the pack....

The leading pair open up a length's lead on the rest of the field....

Buena Vista leads from Palace Jester in the opening stages....

They are off and running...

Along with Big Buck's and Albertas Run, Buena Vista is also looking to put together multiple wins. David Pipe's charge has won this Pertemps Final for the past two years, but will face plenty of opposition here with Our Father set to go off as 6-1 favourite under Timmy Murphy.

There may be some value here as well with the last seven outright favourites failing to get into top four.

On to the day's next race, the Pertemps Final over three miles.

QPR skipper Joey Barton picked out that Willie Mullins' winner. The always outspoken midfield man is going characteristically against the grain in the big race as well with Oscar Whisky his tip...

Sir Des Champs owner Michael O'Leary after the horse's third win at Cheltenham: "We've been hitting the crossbar all week and it is nice to put one in the back of the net. It is very refreshing not to be looking at Nicky Henderson's bum!"

SIR DES CHAMPS WINS THE JEWSON NOVICES CHASE

Still Champion Court, but Sir Des Champs is attacking hard....

Zaynar makes a mess of a fence as Champion Court comes through. Four out and Peddlers Cross is heading backwards.

Zaynar takes it on and with one circuit left to go Peddlers Cross is usefully placed in third.

Champion Court and Zaynar make the early pace, four or five lengths clear of the field. All the field safely over the second...

The crowd roars as they get away with Peddlers Cross taking up a position on the rails...

The Willie Mullins-trained Sir Des Champs is going to go off as second favourite with a price of around about 3-1. The mist is still hanging about stubbornly. We are close to the off....

Peddlers Cross is looking lean and mean after missing Tuesday's Arkle in preference for this one. A flash of neck to the punters in the parade ring from the favourite before leading the way to the start.

Make that just the one Irish challenger. Imperial Shabra is a non-runner along with Bold Sir Brian in the day's opener. The field are heading out into the parade ring.

The tally of winners is heavily weighted towards the red, white and blue of Great Britain rather than the Irish tricolour so far. Twelve plays two at the halfway stage of the Festival. Noble Prince crossed the Irish Sea to take the Jewson Novices' Chase on its inaugural running last year. Sir Des Champs and Imperial Shabra carry Irish hopes in the opener this time around, but will be up against heavily fancied Peddlers Cross.

The prices are not the only thing on the way down either. A hefty lump of cumulonimbus has decended to shroud the course in some Dickensian murk. Nothing to endanger the day's racing, but it looks pretty inclement out there.

Lots of money swilling round and the bookies are being pestered plenty for last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up Peddlers Cross in the opener. Donald McCain's chalenger has come crashing down through the prices to 11-4. Elsewhere Riverside Theatre, part owned by actor James Nesbitt, has closed to 7-2 from 11-2 in the Ryanair Chase at 1440.

BBC Sport correspondent Frank Keogh on Twitter: "I'd struggle to tip a waitress at mo but here's my Cheltenham picks 1330 Peddlers Cross 1440 Albertas Run (e/w) 1600 Niceonefrankie (e/w)."

There is a big blanket of cloud pulled across the sky in Cheltenham, but there is plenty of buzz as the stands start to fill. Andy Stewart, owner of Big Buck's, has had a quick chinwag with Racing UK: "You have to respect Oscar Whisky who came third in one of the best Champion Hurdles I have seen last year and Nicky Henderson is on fire at the moment," he said of the opposition. But he looks a confident chap...

While Big Buck's is aiming to tie up the World Hurdle for a fourth successive year for Paul Nicholls, Jonjo O'Neill, a bit of a local legend around Cheltenham, has Albertas Run on for a hat-trick in the Ryanair Chase after victories in 2010 and 2011. The list of day three winners could have a very familiar feel to it by 1700.

Former top jockey Mick Fitzgerald, a pundit for BBC Radio 5 live, is picking out two daily selections for us: "Peddlers Cross (1330) faces huge opposition in Sir des Champs and has been a bit suspect in his jumping this season, but he could be back to his best. Sunnyhillboy (1640) was favourite for last year's Irish Grand National and was only beaten six lengths in third. He's on a similar mark today in a much easier race."

The World Hurdle gets underway at 1520, but there is plenty more action to keep the bets and black stuff flowing on the day that the organisers have christened St Patrick's Thursday:

1330: Jewson Novices' Steeple Chase 2m 5f

1405: Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) 3m

1440: Ryanair Chase 2m 5f

1520: Ladbrokes World Hurdle 3m

1600: Byrne Group Plate Handicap Steeple Chase 2m 5f

1640: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase 3m 1 1/2f

1715: St. Patrick's Derby (Charity Race) 1m 5f

Can Big Buck's give champion trainer Paul Nicholls a record fourth World Hurdle win? Nicholls has admitted some of his stable were hit by a coughing bug in the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival but former top jockey Mick Fitzgerald told me: "Some of his horses may not have performed quite as he would have liked, but I saw Big Buck's the other day and he looked amazing. He looked the part."

Big Buck's trainer Paul Nicholls admits he fears that his nine-year-old\u2019s run of 15 straight wins could come to an end today. But by the sounds of it he isn't losing too much sleep over the prospect. "It will take the best staying hurdler we have seen for 30 or 40 years to beat him, and I honestly don't see a horse of that potential in this field," he said.

Three-time champion jockey Richard Dunwoody has said he can only see one winner of the World Hurdle while Peter Scudamore, an eight-time Champion jockey, has urged the Daily Mail's readership to place their dough on "the cash machine". They have plenty of company as well.

Welcome to day three of the Cheltenham Festival and when it comes to today's big race the tipsters all seem to be singing off the same hymn sheet. With apologies to Sir MixaLot, the lyrics go something like "I like Big Buck's and I cannot lie." That baby has got some backing.