THERE were plenty of St Patrick’s Day celebrations at Cheltenham today, as the third day of the Festival got off to a flying start.

Some brilliant jumping from Vautour saw the Mullins/Ricci/Walsh combination that was so successful on Day One return to glory in the JLT Novices’ Chase, romping to victory by 15 lengths and giving Irish trainer Willie Mullins his sixth win of the week.

Mullins said: “I’ve always loved this horse, from the time he won here last year. I just couldn’t get him back [to that form] and I’ve had to really work hard at him for the past three weeks to get him back into that shape today, but that’s probably what he needs - just hard work. I’ve probably been minding him too much all season.

And it was better late than never for trainer Nicky Henderson, who had a much needed win in the Pertemps Network Final with Call the Cops, ahead of Unique de Cotte and The Tourard Man.

“It’s been a testing couple of days but we’re very pleased,” said Henderson.

“The way it was going, I thought something was going to come and nail us and it has done the past couple of days but the horse has done well.

Henderson also had news of Sprinter Sacre who was pulled up in yesterday’s Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

“We’ve sat down and had a chat but nothing has been decided yet. We’ll let the dust settle and see what we’ll do. There’s nothing dramatic to be found anywhere on him – he was a bit stiff this morning but so were a lot of them.

"There was nothing significant on the scope and his heart’s fine. We’ve got to sit down and think – it’s too difficult to just sit down and make a decision now.”

However, it was the third race of the day which drew the biggest roar from the crowd, as champion jockey AP McCoy finally brought home a winner with the 16/1 Uxizandre.

The 19-time champion jockey gave the 16/1 shot a perfect ride from the front and the pair had plenty left in the tank to repel the challenge of runner-up Ma Filleule as the pair battled up the hill, eventually prevailing by five lengths.

They applauded him as he returned past the grandstands, they gave him three cheers in the winner’s enclosure, there was grateful thanks all round that soon-to-be-retired A P McCoy had ridden a winner at his final Cheltenham Festival.

Asked about his emotions when given such a heart-felt reception by the crowd, McCoy said: “I felt joy and happiness. I’m not going to miss riding until the end of the season when I pack up. For now I’ve got another race and the chance of another go so I’m not for one minute thinking about the future. I’m just enjoying my job, or what’s left of it.

J P McManus, owner of Ryanair Chase winner Uxizandre and retainer of A P McCoy’s services as a jockey, said: “It’s great to be at Cheltenham and it’s great to have a man like him on your side.

“What can I say? I’m just so happy and so pleased that [McCoy] had a winner at his final Cheltenham and that we provided it for him makes it even better.

But the bookies were smiling as 14/1 Cole Harden was the surprise winner of the big race of the day, The Ladbrokes Wortld Hurdle, with Nicholls-trained favourites Saphir Du Rheu and the much loved Zarkandar coming in second and third.

This was the first Festival win for trainer Warren Greatrex and jockey Gavin Sheehan.

Sheehan was visibly happy after the race and declared the Grade One victory a dream come true.

Reflecting on the race, Nicholls said: “Zarkandar was very unlucky – he was travelling really well and that mistake cost him any chance.

“Saphir Du Rheu [ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies] was just going flat out on that ground and couldn’t go any quicker, which was a concern for me before the race. He travelled okay, but just lacks a gear on ground like today’s.

“It’s great for the lads that have won the race, but I think we were unlucky with Zarkandar. Ask Noel what he thinks – the horse was travelling so well and then that happens.”

The Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase was won by another outsider, 33/1 Darna, ridden by David Bass and trained at Andoversford in the Cotswolds by Kim Bailey.

The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner was won by The Package, ridden by Jamie Codd, one of Ireland's leading amateur riders. Experienced amateur jockey Tom Weston, who rode Benbane Head, was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol following a fall in the race.