5.30pm: Colin Tizzard’s Cue Card proved much too good for his rivals when springing a major surprise in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the last race of the day.

4.30pm: The winner of the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle was 4-1 favourite Sanctuaire. Notus De La Tour came in second, followed Orsippus.

2.40pm: Weapon's Amnesty, trained by Charles Byrnes and ridden by Davy Russell, won the RSA Chase

2.30pm: Pharmacists at Cheltenham Racecourse have been busy with punters in need of hangover cures.

Scores of people have made a trip to the pharmacy this morning after celebrating their wins or drowning their sorrows last night.

Pharmacy supervisor Marc Waters said: “There has been a lot of people wanting headache tablets or hangover cures this morning.

“We have also sold out of anything to do with lips due to people having sore lips.”

The pharmacy, which is the only Lloyds facility based at a racecourse in the UK, expects to see between 200 to 300 people a day during the festival.

More than 30 St John Ambulance volunteers are also on site helping people with ailments ranging from headaches to possible fractures.

On Tuesday they treated 36 people and are expecting more drink-related ailments today as people celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

Andy Cummings, operational services manager for St John Ambulance service in Gloucestershire, said: “We are expecting more merry Irishmen enjoying the atmosphere. We know they are going to enjoy a few guinesses so there maybe a few more people with drink-related problems who we have to deal with but that is part of the day.

“Now it is getting a bit cooler, people should be mindful of the temperature and drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.”

2pm: Racing legend Sir Peter O’Sullevan is enjoying his 76th visit to the festival.

The retired commentator who called home the winners at Prestbury Park for 50 years was busy signing his new book, Horse Racing Heroes, today.

The man dubbed “the voice of racing”, who called in former champions includeing Arkle and Red Rum, says Cheltenham is the best festival of racing in the world.

The 93-year-old, who has not missed a year since 1934, said: “You see the best jumping horses in the world and the best jumping jockeys in the world and probably the best natural racing arena in the world.

“I think it is exceptional. I think it has a particularly marvellous atmosphere because of the competition between the English and Irish.

“If I has to make a selection in the Gold Cup on Friday I would go for Kauto Star.”

1:45pm: 1.30pm race result: Poker De Sivola in first place, Becauseicouldntsee in second and Prudent Honour in third.

12:45pm: Update from reporter Emily Cleland at the races...

The Irish have descended on Prestbury Park for day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

The visitors from the emerald Isle have turned out in force to celebrate St Patrick’s Day at the showcase racing event.

Irish dancing, fiddles, leprechauns and shamrocks are all in abundance as punters hope the luck of the Irish will land them a few winners.

After day one of the festival it stands at three winners apiece for England and Ireland, with more action set to kick off at 1.30pm today.

Joan McCormack from County West Meath, had dressed up with a wig sporting her national colours and a sign saying ‘kiss me I’m Irish’.

The 43 year old is at her eighth festival said: “I always dress up for Paddy’s Day. All the English think we’re taking the mick but we’re not. It’s brilliant to be at the Cheltenham Festival every day but especially St Patrick’s Day - there will be a few leprechauns about.

“I’m hoping for a better day for punters today and not the bookies.”

12.30pm: Live traffic update from Gloucestershire Police...

On the A435, Newlands Crossroads traffic is now moving freely.

A4019 from Junction 10 into Kingsditch is running well.

Swindon Lane all clear.

Winchcombe is all clear.

Winchcombe to Southam is running freely.

A40 at Charlton Kings running freely.

12:10pm: Live traffic update from Gloucestershire Police...

Traffic is very heavy and slow moving on the A435, queue back through Newlands Crossroads to Bishop’s Cleeve garage.

A4019 from Junction 10 into Kingsditch is running well.

Swindon Lane traffic is backed up to Tommy Taylors Lane.

Winchcombe is still very busy.

Winchcombe to Southam is running freely.

One way points have been taken off at Charlton Kings.

Cirencester Road is completely clear as you get to Holy Apostles Church.

Space for 30 coaches in the South car park, no room for any other vehicles.

11.15am: Live traffic update from Gloucestershire Police...

Traffic slow moving on the A435 towards Newlands Crossroads.

A4019 into Cheltenham is busy but moving.

Roads around Kingsditch are getting busy but Princess Elizabeth Way is flowing well.

A40 on the London Road is flowing well.

Hales Road to New Barn Lane is moving well.

South Members Car Park is full and closed.

9.30am: Live traffic update from Gloucestershire Police...

"All traffic is moving well on all routes around the racecourse.

"There are no problems to report at this time."

9.10am: The bookies are hoping for another bumper day after yesterday's run of upsets.

Gemma Holland, manager of Ladbrokes in the High Street, said business was good on the first day of the festival.

"We had quite a few bets," she said. "People lost a lot on Dunguib, but they won it all back again on Menorah."

8.50am: Race fever is creeping back into Cheltenham as punters take to the streets ahead of the second day of the festival.

TiG took to the streets to find out what people have planned for St Patrick's Day and bumped into a couple of Irish racing fans.

Patrick Kenna and Rob Foy have travelled all the way from Galway to enjoy the atmosphere at Prestbury Park. Patrick, 27, said: "It's our first time here and I can't wait. The weather looks like it's going to be ok as well.

"If you love racing, you've got to love Cheltenham. The town is brilliant as well - we had a cracking time yesterday."

​7am: It's St Patrick's Day so here's hoping the luck of the Irish shines down on Prestbury Park today.

On the second day of the festival, the weather is not looking as great as yesterday with clouds, a chance of drizzle and highs of about 11C but the action will certainly be heating up on the racecourse and no doubt plenty of the black stuff drunk on the sidelines.

Ruby Walsh on Masterminded is the big favourite in the Champion Chase and could be in for a record if he wins.

The Hollywood-style sign created by Paddy Power bookmakers has certainly caused some controversy but so far the event has gone pretty smoothly.

Yesterday nearly 51,000 tickets were sold for the opener – which saw 9-1 shot Binocular land the feature Champion Hurdle.

Royal Zara Phillips made an appearance on the day and among the famous faces spotted enjoying a day out were England footballers Gareth Barry and Joleon Lescott, plus actor and racehorse owner Jimmy Nesbitt.

Snooker pundit – and former world champion – John Parrott said he loved the Cheltenham atmosphere.

“I’ve been coming here since 1984. It’s my favourite race day. There’s always an absolutely fantastic atmosphere,” he said.

“If I could only watch seven days sport in the year, four of those would be Cheltenham Festival and three of them would be Aintree.”

Course managing director Edward Gillespie said: “This is such a big day for people and to start off with these conditions is wonderful. It makes the whole day zing along.”

The racecourse chief said he believed the Irish contingent, which was down last year due to the economic crisis, was on a par with 2009.

Sarah-Jane Muirie, 35, from London was there with friends to enjoy the day out.

She said: “I’ve been coming to the festival since I was born because my family has connections to race horsing.

“I’m just going to have some fun and place some small bets.

“We’ve already had a Guinness to start the day. It’s the only way to do it.”

Couple Emma Howes, 26, from Bishop’s Cleeve and Andy Aldrich, 28, from Gloucester, were hoping to win with a bet on Medermit in the Champion Hurdle.

Emma said: “This is the third time I’ve come to the festival. It’s just a lovely day out and I thought it would be good to get out in the sunshine.”

Natasha Bennett, 25, from Cheltenham, and her Australian friend Melanie Oldfield, were on their way out of town when they were caught up in the traffic and decided to buy tickets.

Natasha said: “We weren’t really moving and decided to give up the fight and see if we could get tickets.

“We haven’t made any money yet but there’s still time.

“We spoke to one lady who at the last minute put a bet on Menorah and won about £600. A bit of her luck wouldn’t go amiss.”

Bookmakers didn’t appear to be too phased by the first day’s races, with one saying the largest payout had been £900.

The day was also relatively quiet for police.

A 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and incapable and in possession of a class A drug.

Another man was also arrested on suspicion of theft before being given a police caution.