Horses are taken to the gallops early in the morning as Cheltenham gears up for Gold Cup day

Kauto Star, ridden by Ruby Walsh, seals an expected Gold Cup triumph by two and a half lengths from Exotic Dancer

Walsh's delight is clear after the pre-race favourite storms to a magnificent victory despite a scare at the final fence

Kauto Star earns owner Clive Smith £242,000 plus a £1m bonus for earlier wins at Haydock and Kempton

The Princess Royal, a keen horse racing fan, presents the Gold Cup to the winning connections

The victory is a proud moment for Walsh, who reveals: "The sheer delight and relief after the line was amazing."

Walsh is embraced by winning trainer Paul Nicholls, who has every reason to be overjoyed

Prince William's girlfriend Kate Middleton is among those who gather to watch events unfold from the royal box

Robert Thornton rides Katchit to a decisive victory in The JCB Triumph Hurdle Race - well ahead of Liberate

A delighted Thorton declares: "It's fantastic and the week has just got better and better as it has gone on."

Black Harry, ridden by Walsh, falls at the last as Tony McCoy and Wichita Lineman win the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle