As the Champion Hurdle pace increased yesterday, rumblings of anticipation emanated from the packed stands as odds-on favourite Hurricane Fly moved through the field, travelling strongly.

However, that expectancy soon turned to anguish when the 11-1 shot Rock On Ruby galloped on with great resolution up the final hill to take the title at Cheltenham under jockey Noel Fehily.

Overturn led the way but Fehily sat tight on the Paul Nicholls-trained winner. The two opened a gap on the field and, all of a sudden, those in behind were struggling.

Hurricane Fly came out of the pack to try and challenge, but he was never going to get there and Rock On Ruby stayed on to beat Overturn. Hurricane Fly finished third.

Fehily said: "I went down and schooled him earlier in the week and he felt amazing. I was told not to worry about sending him on but I was worried going to the last as he was pulling up a little bit, but he picked up again."

Nicholls, who saddled four of the runners, said: "It's just testament to the team. It's a tremendous effort and everyone is thrilled.

"I didn't like the way Zarkandar looked in the paddock. He was a bit shelly and a bit light. This horse is a seven-year-old, he's the right age, and it's brilliant.

"It was a great ride by Noel. He's a good man and has got a great winner. This is awesome."

Overturn's trainer Donald McCain was delighted with his boy's effort. He said: "I'm thrilled. He served it up to all of them at the top of the hill and I just panicked that turning in, for trying to do that and trying to go with the winner, it was going to cost him a place and he didn't deserve that.

"To see him stick his chin out again going down to the last and to the line is fantastic. His jumping was quicksilver.

"We were very hopeful he'd be in the four. To beat Hurricane Fly and get beat by Rock On Ruby, I can't say I expected that, but I'm thrilled.

"He's shattered now, but I guarantee in the morning he will come out like a tiger. He's a horse who wants to please".

Willie Mullins' trainer of dethroned champion Hurricane Fly, said: "He seems fine. Ruby thought they went quick enough and he's maybe disappointed us. I thought coming up the far side he should have been able to move up quite easily one or two places to be in better order coming down the hill, but he didn't.

"He didn't fire when Ruby wanted to kick off the hill and get back into the race. He quickened up to get back in the race going to the last, but that was his race run."

A little earlier, Sprinter Sacre was at his scintillating best when taking the Arkle Chase. The odds-on favourite had barely come off the bridle in his first three starts over fences and there was an inevitability about the result when he jumped to the front leaving the back straight.

From that point, Barry Geraghty gave the chaser his head and he put daylight between himself and his rivals running down the hill.

Sprinter Sacre was presenting trainer Nicky Henderson his 40th Festival winner, which means he has now equalled the record of Fulke Walwyn.

Henderson said: "It's nice to get it out of the way on the first day. This was a horse we hoped might do it and he could really be special.

"You wait for something to come out of the woodwork and be a real champion – and it just might be him."

McCain started the meeting off well when his runner, Cinders And Ashes took the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in fine style.

Winning rider Jason Maguire said: "Fantastic, but I probably got to the front a bit too soon. He pricked his ears and he got in a bit tight at the last. He's a smart horse and has got a Flat pedigree. He's a year stronger this year."