THE Cheltenham Festival took centre stage this week and Yarm-based jockey Paddy Aspell had his biggest career win on Tuesday, when steering home 33-1 shot Chief Dan George for Cartmel-based trainer Jimmy Moffatt.

Aspell has suffered mixed fortunes due to injury in recent seasons, but proved here he is more than capable when getting the ammunition, and afterwards the Irishman said: "It's this horse's time of year. I was delighted to see the drying ground, it was a big ask but he didn't let us down.

"He was fifth in the Scottish Grand National last year and will run there next and hopefully he will get his ground again."

On Wednesday there was also a local winner in the very first race when the Ferdy Murphy-trained Poker de Sivola came home in front in the National Hunt Chase.

The 14-1 shot was well ridden by Katie Walsh, sister to top rider Ruby. Afterwards, the winning trainer, who has a great record at the meeting, said: "She gave him a fantastic ride. He was a bit unlucky in the Kim Muir last year when he got pushed a bit wide.

"It's fantastic for the Walsh family and Ruby's grandfather was a big help to me when I was starting out.'

Poker De Sivola could be seen next in either the Irish or Scottish National.

Howard Johnson's decision to miss the first day of the Cheltenham Festival and stay local at Sedgefield paid off when he teamed up to record a double with stable jockey Denis O'Regan. The duo struck first with Spellchecker in the maiden chase, before Canada Street was an easy winner in the handicap chase.

The happiest trainer at Sedgefield was Ray Craggs, who saddled his first winner "in a long time" when Waterloo Corner came home in front at 14-1. Middleham trainer has his string in fine form and he had another winner with The Kealshore Kid, who prevailed in a cracking finish of the 2mi handicap chase.

Today we are set for the clash of the year between Katuo Star and Deman in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, due off at 3.20pm. Both trained by Paul Nicholls, the crowds will pack into Prestbury Park to witness a truly sensational race on the fourth and final day of the famous festival.

Kauto Star, twice a winner of the race before is due to go off odds-on but Denman has been popular over the last few days in a bid to win the race for the second time after being successful two years ago.

Ruby Walsh will again be on board Kauto Star in the 11-runner race, while champion jockey A P McCoy rides Denman. On all known form, Kauto Star looks to have everything in his favour, with the drying ground and he can give the punters a winning favourite, something that has been scarce throughout the week.

Also in the race, Middleham trainer Paul Murphy saddles last year's Grand National fifth Cerium. The nine-year-old can't be fancied in today's race, but it should but him spot on for Aintree in a few weeks.

Speaking yesterday, Murphy said: "He has travelled down well and I couldn't be happier with him at home, but his main aim is the Grand National and I'm counting the days to it."

Howard Johnson and Ferdy Murphy are both represented today at the final day of the festival; Johnson has two chances in the County Hurdle at 2.05pm. Arcalis could be well handicapped in this contest under Denis O'Regan while Brian Hughes takes the ride on Fushe Jo.

In the final race of the meeting, The Grand Annual Chase, Johnson and O'Regan team up with the Graham Wylie owned Lennon. The ten-year-old looks like he could be weighted up to his best. In the same race, Ferdy Murphy saddles Beggars Cap, who will be ridden by Graham Lee. In last year's race the pair were running a mighty race until crashing out three from home.

Tomorrow, albeit lower key, there is a competitive seven-race card at Newcastle, due to start at 2.15pm. Bedale jockey Richie McGrath has a good strike rate when teaming up with trainer Jim Goldie, and the pair have got live chances with both Watercolours (4pm) and Grandad Bill (5.10pm).