Day two of the Cheltenham Festival opened with snow this morning as racegoers braced themselves for a chilly day.

After an absorbing opening day yesterday, there are several highlights today, including the feature race, the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4pm.

By then the snow will have cleared with temperatures due to rise to a high of 9C.

The going on the old course remains good to soft.

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Golden Ace the star of opening day

Day one was dominated by a dramatic Champion Hurdle which went the way of Golden Ace after both Constitution Hill and State Man fell.

The Jeremy Scott-trained horse went out as a 25-1 outsider but hung around long enough to capitalise as first Constitution Hill and then State Man went down.

Constitution Hill fell at the fourth last, leaving State Man in pole position to retain the trophy he won last year, only for jockey Paul Townend to misjudge the last and hit the turf when clear.

The British Horse Racing Authority were quick to announce both horses, and jockeys, were fine.

Williams revels in surprise win

That left jockey Lorcan Williams to take centre stage. He told ITV racing: “I’m lost for words. This is the best day of my life by far. You dream of these moments as a kid.

“But she is fantastic. She always turns up and fair play to [owner] Ian Gosden for picking this race rather than the Mares’ Hurdle. I am not complaining now.

“I’m just a small part of the team and delighted to be on board.”

Jonbon is the favourite to win today’s Queen Mother Champion Chase. Nicky Henderson’s charge is currently priced at 10-11.