He went through the whole meeting with fancied rides and didn't ride a winner until he eventually won the County Hurdle - the last race of the meeting - on Thumbs Up.

BBC: A Festival to remember

Despite narrowly coming second in both the first two races, McCoy emerged for the third race, the Champion Hurdle, with high hopes.

BBC: The two faces of Cheltenham

Going into 2010, McCoy had won every major horse race, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase, but the world's most famous race - the Grand National - had eluded him.

BBC: Jockey McCoy 'humbled' by Sports Personality award

The meeting was due to include the high profile Boylesports.com International Hurdle, the day's most valuable race.

BBC: Ascot could host Cheltenham race

In 2008 Jones was favored to win the 100-meter hurdles and led the race but tripped on the penultimate hurdle and finished seventh.

WSJ: Menu

He beat Solwhit by a length-and-a-half in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle after Zaidpour's win in the previous race.

BBC: Hurricane Fly wins at Fairyhouse in Willie Mullins treble

For reasons that range from the speed at which runners approach to the style of the fences at Aintree, history suggests one of the surest bets in this long-odds race is that someone's race will be ended at the first hurdle.

WSJ: Why They Fear Aintree's First

Among the entries for the Cheltenham race was Binocular, trained by Nicky Henderson, who is the current favourite for the Champion Hurdle and this year's winner Katchit, from the Alan King yard.

BBC: Ascot could host Cheltenham race