Where's Matt Chapman? De Bromhead and punters revel but luck can soon turn

Sometimes the game is easier than we make it. After all the arguments and preview nights, all the carefully constructed theories about why this 28-1 shot is actually a contender, day one at the Cheltenham Festival was a time for keeping it simple.

Constitution Hill might not have done much racing before the Supreme but the experts in time analysis warned us he could be a clock-breaking monster. So it proved, as he busted Annie Power's course record by almost a second, while carrying 4lb more than the mighty chestnut.

Edwardstone did what so many had dared to hope he might, prompting Alan King and Nicky Henderson to share a hug that had as much mutual relief in it as celebration. It could all have gone horribly wrong when Brave Seasca fell at the fourth, right in front of the stands and also right in front of the favourite.