Sport

Cheltenham Festival: Thursday – as it happened

1330 JLT Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) - Taquin Du Seuil 7-1
1405 Pertemps Network Final - Fingal Bay 9-2f
1440 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) - Dynaste 3-1F
1520 Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade 1) More Of That 15-2
1600 Byrne Group Plate (Group 3) Ballynagour 12-1
1640 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase Spring Heeled 12-1

1640 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase - Result

1. Spring Heeled 12-1
2.Cause Of Causes 13-2
3. Roberto Goldback 16-1

Some more great shots from Irish Post photographer Malcolm McNally:

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1600 Byrne Group Plate - Result
1. Ballynagour 12-1
2. Colour Squadron 5-1 fav
3. Tatenen 33-1

Barry Geraghty on More of That wins from Ruby Walsh on Annie Power in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle race at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2014 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Another win for Meath man Barry Geraghty on More Of That, trained by Jonjo O’Neill. More of that indeed as the Irish take another winner on Cheltenham's St Patrick's Day.

1520 Ladbrokes World Hurdle - Result
1. More Of That 15-2
2. Annie Power 11-8 Fav
3. At Fishers Cross 9-1

Tom Scudamore riding Dynaste win The Ryanair Steeple Chase on St Patrick's Thursday during the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham racecourse on March 13, 2014 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

1440 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)

1 Dynaste 3-1F

2 Hidden Cyclone 10-1

3 Rajdhani Express 18-1

Pertemps Network Final goes to a photo finish with a long delay before it's announced, to loud cheers “First Fingal Bay!”

Three girls jump for joy after winning the third race of the day on day 3 of The Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2014 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images)

1405 Pertemps Network Final - result

1. Fingal Bay 9-2f

2. Southfield’s Theatre 20-1
3. Pineau de Re 33-1
4. Trustan Times 33-1

AP McCoy rides Taquin Du Seuil to victory in the JLT Novices Chase on St Patrick's Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2014 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

AP McCoy comes home on Taquin Du Seuil giving another win for the Irish and a first of the day on Cheltenham's St Patrick's Day.

1330 JLT Novices' Chase (Grade 1) - Result

1 Taquin Du Seuil 7-1

2 Uxizandre 33-1
3 Double Ross 11-1

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From Irish Post reporter Fiona Audley at Cheltenham:

CHAMPION jockey AP McCoy believes pal Ruby Walsh is his only danger in the first race at Cheltenham.

McCoy will ride Taquin Du Seuil in the 1.30 and claims Felix Yonger, ridden by long-term pal and colleague Walsh, was the only threat to him in the first race.

"Felix Yonger is a danger," he said. "He's probably the biggest danger to Taquin."

The Antrim-native, who has spent the past few days at his son's bedside in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, where he is recovering from heart surgery, claimed he was ready for the third day of the festival despite suffering an injury of his own during yesterday's meet.

"I'm on loads of drugs this morning so am feeling ok," he said.

The Moneygall rider is hoping to claim a win or two in the final days of the annual festival - something he has failed to do in previous years.

"I could do with a couple of winners today," he said. "Usually I don't have winners on the Thursday or Friday so it would be good to change that this year."

It's St Patrick's Day at the Festival today with the action all set to get underway in just over 30 minutes.

Our resident tipster Karl Hedley has has five winners so far, see here for who to put your money on today.

Here's some pictures from Irish Post photographer Malcolm McNally:

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