Cheltenham Festival 2011: Day one in pictures

And they're off. The runners set off in the first race of the day - the Stan James Supreme Novice Hurdle Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

They head off towards the packed stands and the first fence Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

If he's this excited in the first race, he'd better take it easy otherwise he'll never last the course Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Ruby Walsh, with his injured eye, is all smiles after his victory on Al Ferof Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Runners in the second race jump over the penultimate fence that has been repositioned in the home straight. The race was won by 6-1 shot Captain Chris Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

There seems to be quite a bit of hospitality going on at Cheltenham today Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Runners and loose horses in the third race jump the fence on the downhill stretch Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Another faller, Adams Island, carries on enjoying jumping around unfettered by a jockey pulling on his reins. Robert Thornton managed to stay in the saddle of Bensalem and won the race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A tic-tac man waves out the odds before the big race. The favourite is Hurricane Fly who has being ridden by Ruby Walsh, and his starting price is 11-4 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

From 50 yards out it's a two-horse race between Ruby Walsh on Hurricane Fly, centre blue, and Jason Maguire on Peddlers Cross ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

But the favourite shows his class and pulls away to win the Champion Hurdle Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A happy Irish punter celebrates after the race, maybe he managed to back Hurricane Fly when his odds reached 7-2 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Runners in the cross-country race negotiate the cheese wedges, led by Sizing Australia Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The crowd in the middle of the course watch the action Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Sizing Australia jumps the last and goes on to victory Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Ruby Walsh is on 5-6 favourite Quevega in the sixth race Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

After getting held up in the early stage of the race, Quevega starts to move through the field and goes into second before the penultimate fence and then takes the lead approaching the last. He's soon clear and Walsh has time to give his mount a celebratory pat as they pass the cheering crowd and cruise to victory ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

No wonder he's happy, that win gives Walsh a hat-trick of victories. Not a bad start to the festival Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian