Tony McCoy put himself well on course for a 13th straight jump jockeys' title by passing the 100-winner mark with a double at Cheltenham.
His two victories were markedly different, but both came for trainer Jonjo O'Neill.
McCoy was power-packed to get 2-1 favourite Kia Kaha back up in front on the line ahead of Roman Villa in the Ryman The Stationer Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
But then he showed another side to nurse home Albertas Run (7-2) in the Club 16-24 Novices' Chase after he was briefly spooked in the closing stages.
There was tragedy for trainer Paul Nicholls in that race as he lost Willyanwoody, and his agony was later compounded as Granit Jack met a similar fate in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Ruby Walsh dislocated his shoulder in the fall of Willyanwoody at the third-last.
Timmy Murphy will be out of action for 27 consecutive days following a six-day ban, which will be tagged on to the 21 days he picked up for 'schooling in public' at Fontwell last week.
Murphy fell foul of the stewards after marking Itsmyboy and will now miss riding between November 20 and December 16.
Of Albertas Run, O'Neill said: "He is a good little horse on the ground.
"I was just disappointed with the way he jumped at Aintree - it was very bad.
"It is all about confidence and I will try and find a nice little race for him."
Franchoek rocketed to favouritism at a general 8-1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle after following in Katchit's hoofprints by winning the Cleanevent Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.
Alan King saddled the latter to win an incredible seven times from eight races last season, including at the Festival in March, and bookmakers are already alive to the threat of a repeat from his new kid on the block.
Franchoek had got off the mark over timber at Chepstow last month and confirmed the impression made there in slamming Won In The Dark by eight lengths.
After cheering home his 6-5 favourite, King said: "He's totally different to Katchit - he wouldn't have the speed but is a grinder.
"We'll probably keep bringing him back here, or think about the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow."
Sir Rembrandt, second to Best Mate in the Gold Cup of 2004, made a triumphant seasonal return in the Servo Computer Services Trophy Handicap Chase.
Now with Victor Dartnall, the 11-year-old made light of his advancing years to land odds of 15-2 by a long-looking 13 lengths from the Nicholls-trained Cornish Sett.
Blazing Bailey had no easy task to concede lumps of weight all round in the Lombard Properties Handicap Hurdle but was beaten some way out as Irish raider Sonnyanjoe made the best of his way home.
The 5-2 chance maintained the gallop to hold off Lyes Green by three and a half lengths, after which trainer Tom Hogan said: "There were tears in my eyes as he came up the run-in.
"Two years ago at Naas he broke down on both front tendons and the vet told me to put him down. But I wouldn't allow it because he is so brave."
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