We’ll Leave It There So: Ruby and Mullins big winners on Day 1 and all today's sport

The opening day of the 2015 Cheltenham Festival didn’t disappoint, while Ireland lost out at the Cricket World Cup.

Horse Racing - 2015 Cheltenham Festival - Champion Day - Cheltenham Racecourse Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins lift the Champion Hurdle Challenge trophy. David Davies David Davies

Cheltenham

Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins dominated Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival as they combined to claim three races, including the feature, this afternoon.
Walsh rode Faugheen (4-5f) to the Champion Hurdle with Arctic Fire (20-1) runner-up and Hurrican Fly (8-1) finishing third in a 1-2-3 for Mullins.
AP McCoy was fourth on Jezki on his final appearance in the Champion Hurdle.
Walsh and Mullins also earned victory in the Novice’s Hurdle with Douvan (2-1f) and the Arkle Chase with Un De Sceauz (4-6f).
However, a fall at the last on Annie Power (1-2f) saw Glens Melody (6-1) and Paul Townsend take the Mares’ Hurdle.

Home

ICC Cricket World Cup - India v Ireland Seddon Park, where Ireland played India. John Cowpland / www.photosport.co.nz John Cowpland / www.photosport.co.nz / www.photosport.co.nz

Ireland’s cricketers suffered their second defeat of the World Cup, losing by eight wickets to India in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Jonathan Sexton participated fully in training at Carton House today and Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt believes he will be ready for his weekend’s trip to Cardiff.
Dublin could have a big name back for Saturday’s Allianz Football League meeting with Mayo as St Vincent’s forward Diarmuid Connolly is in contention to feature.
We spoke to Ireland’s Shane Lowry ahead of his Masters debut in Augusta next month.

Away

There are two Champions League round of 16 second legs being played tonight with Real Madrid hosting Schalke and Basel away to Porto.
Warren Gatland has named an unchanged team for this weekend’s Six Nations clash with Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.
Police are investigating an alleged racist messaged sent to Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck after he scored in last night’s FA Cup win over Manchester United.

The best thing we shared today

Jennifer Malone, from Clane in Kildare, had a day to remember meeting the Ireland players at Carton House.

Jennifer Malone hugs Peter O'Mahony James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

On the record

This is looking at it through rose-c***ed glasses… rose-tinted glasses from the past. I apologise there for a slip of the tongue.” - BBC sport anchor John Inverdale accidentally drops a c-bomb live on air at Cheltenham.

Where we were today

Steve O’Rourke was out meeting Offaly golfer Shane Lowry at the launch of the new Simply Golf app.

Lowry App Mac Innes Photography Mac Innes Photography

The fixture list

There are two more Champions League knockout games as Chelsea face Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge and Bayern Munich are at home to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Fitzgibbon Cup final replay - UL v WIT, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7.30pm.
EirGrid U21FC Munster quarter-finals - Limerick v Cork, Gaelic Grounds, 7.30pm, Clare v Waterford, Milltown Malbay, 7.30pm.
Connacht quarter-final - Mayo v Leitrim, Elverys MacHale Park, 7.30pm.
Ulster preliminary round - Derry v Down, Celtic Park, 8pm.

Showbiz, baby!

The cover of this month’s Golf Digest features Rory McIlory… as Michelangelo’s David:

McIlroy Golf Digest cover Twitter / GolfDigest Twitter / GolfDigest / GolfDigest