Cheltenham Festival 2013, day one – in pictures

After the recent cold snap, the final fence is covered to protect it from frost
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Uncovering the old course for the day's racing
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The team of course attendants fork the ground to remove any frost
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A string of horses return to the stables after exercising
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Lester Piggott and Peter O'Sullevan signing books
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

It's a packed house for the first day's racing of this year's festival Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

After studying the form, punters study the horses as they come out Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The first race of the day is the Supreme Novice Hurdles, and at the last hurdle it's neck and neck between My Tent or Yours with Tony McCoy (near) and Champagne Fever with Ruby Walsh on board (far). Champagne Fever went on to win
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The cold weather means that hats are the day's must have accessory, and there's plenty of different types on display Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The 8/15 favourite in the second race - the Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase - is Simonsig, ridden by Barry Geraghty Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The favourite is on his own as he goes up ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

And over the last and then go on to win
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The elegant Simonsig in the unsaddling enclosure after his win Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The punters in the main grandstand watch the action in the day's third race - the JLT Specialty Handicap Chase Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The runners head out into the country with the new course, which will be used in the final two days of the meeting, still covered in case of frost
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Quartz de Thaix with Aidan Coleman on board hits a fence really hard but just stays upright
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The field, including eventual winner Golden Chieftain - bottom left, powers over a fence Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A fan wearing fingerless gloves to protect against the cold weather watches the action at Cheltenham
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The big race of the day - the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy - is up next and the 13/8 favourites are the legendary partnership of Ruby Walsh and Hurricane Fly
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Hurricane Fly with Ruby Walsh are in front as the field sprint up the hill ...
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

And they're first past the post to become the first horse to regain the Champion Hurdle since Comedy of Errors Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins

It's smiles all round as the pair enter the winners' enclosure
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Derek Thompson wipes his eye as he waits to commentate for radio. He used to cover this meeting for Channel 4
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The fifth race of the day is the Mares Hurdle Race which was won for the fifth time by Quevega. It was also Ruby Walsh's third win of the day. Both horse and jockey look happy with their day's work as they pose for a picture in the winners enclosure with trainer Willie Mullins
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian