O'Connor secures first Kim Muir victory as Any Second Now breaks chasing duck

Top amateur Derek O'Connor kept out of trouble to steer Any Second Now to a stylish victory in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup to bag his first win in the race and a third on the day for owner JP McManus.

The grey Kilfilum Cross took the lead on the home straight but the Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now appeared to relish the extra yardage as O'Connor cajoled his mount to draw clear for a three-and-three-quarter-length victory and a belated first win over fences.

The Young Master and Crievehill both ran big races to fill the third and fourth position, but the well-backed favourite Measureofmydreams never figured under Jamie Codd.

O'Connor said: "Ted gave me great encouragement to ride Any Second Now and everything worked out brilliantly.

"He'd been mixing it with good horses in Graded chases and relished the extra trip on that ground – he really galloped all the way to the line."

Siruh Du Lac and Kelly produce ultra-game victory in the Plate

Lizzie Kelly became the second female rider of the day to win at the Cheltenham Festival as the ultra-progressive Siruh Du Lac produced a scintillating round of jumping to land the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate for trainer Nick Williams.

The Nicky Henderson-trained favourite Janika was tanking through the race and looked poised to put up a bold challenge to the game front-running Siruh Du Lac, but could only manage second as the victor kept battling all the way to the line to win his fourth successive race by three-quarters of a length.

Siruh Du Lac: game front-running victory under Lizzie KellyCredit: Harry Trump

The well-fancied Spiritofthegames ran creditably to take third for Dan Skelton with Eamon An Cnoic in fourth.

A delighted Williams said: "I was thrilled with him and the six-week gap from his last race was perfect. We thought about going to Newbury a couple of weeks ago but he needed the extra time.

"He has just been creeping up the handicap and he had a perfect racing weight today. I think that will be it for the season, he's not horse who takes a lot of racing and he could be a wonderful horse for next season."

This race report is being updated and more news will follow shortly.