I've had four winners at a few places but not at Cheltenham, " said Walsh.

But the biggest race of the day eluded him as Tony McCoy stormed to victory aboard Exotic Dancer in an intriguing renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase.

With McCoy, Jonjo O'Neill's charge proved most disappointing on his seasonal reappearance in a three-runner affair at Carlisle just five days ago, but was clearly back to his best in this Grade Three heat.

Exotic Dancer had been held up last for much of the contest but McCoy was always sitting confidently aboard the six-year-old and began to make an ominous move down the hill.

The 16-1 chance cruised up to throw down a challenge to Vodka Bleu at the last. And having taken over, the gelding stormed to a three-length verdict over the David Pipetrained 4-1 favourite.

Earlier, favourite backers got off to a great start as 7-4 chance Katchit gained top honours in the opening Ryman The Stationer Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

And just over 30 minutes later, the Cheltenham faithful had further cause for celebration as Denman justified odds of 4-6 to remain unbeaten over fences in the Jim Brown Memorial Novices' Chase.

Paul Nicholls' charge generally jumped well but hit the fourth and 10th fences hard.

The winner veered markedly left after the final fence but survived a subsequent stewards' inquiry into possible interference.

Stan James trimmed the winner for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase and go 92 favourite (from 5).

They also cut Don't Push It to 8-1 (from 16) for the same event. VC Bet make Denman a 5-1 shot (from 6), while Coral took an alternative view and pushed him out to 7-1 (from 6).

Paul Nicholls said: "He's done it well and will learn more from today than he has from any other race as he won all his hurdle races on the bridle.

"Ruby was delighted with him and he jumped well although he was novicey early on when he was tanking.

"He didn't come on at all for Exeter and barely changed weight so I have no doubt that he will come on for.

Nicholls secured the second leg of his treble, and Walsh the third leg of his fourtimer, when Star De Mohaison (6-4 favourite) made a winning reappearance in the Lombard Properties Handicap Hurdle.

Last season's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase hero took advantage of a lenient handicap mark to win by eight lengths from Jockser, with Calusa Charlie a further three and a half lengths away in third.

The five-year-old's success also completed a memorable day for owner Robert Ogden, who earlier won with Exotic Dancer.

Of the winner, Nicholls said: "He won well and it is pleasing as physically he has improved so much.

"Obviously he is in good heart and form and Ruby purposely went to the good ground a bit wider. That is just what we wanted as he is in such good heart.

"He's in the Hennessy Gold Cup and I'll talk about it with Barry (Simpson, Ogden's racing manager) in the next fortnight."

The winner received a quote of 8-1 (from 10s) for that event with Ladbrokes, while Betfred are just half those odds at 4-1.

Simpson added: "Ruby was very, very confident that going left-handed at Newbury will be a bonus and his participation depends on the weights and how much they rise.

"If we think that he is a Gold Cup horse, he should be running in the Hennessy with whatever weight and should do extremely well."

Katchit, the 7-4 favourite ridden by Robert Thornton, earlier asserted his superiority up the famous hill to land a neck victory over Freeze The Flame (3-1).

Winning trainer Alan King said of the three-year-old, who was cut to 14-1 (from 33s) for the Triumph Hurdle by Paddy Power: "He is a grand horse - he travelled and jumped well.

"I was going to make hay with him until the better juveniles came along but I might just start taking him seriously now."

Sent off at 2-1, Tipperary All Star was the third consecutive favourite to oblige and provided Walsh with the second win of his four-timer when scoring in the Letheby And Christopher Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Despite carrying joint topweight of 11st 12lb, the winner cruised to a four-length success over Bonchester Bridge, with Classic Croco a further 14 lengths away in third.

The concluding Servo Computer Services Trophy Handicap Chase went to 9-2 co-favourite My Will, who completed a great day for Walsh and Nicholls.