DORSET connections endured a tough opening day of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival as four hopes failed to place.

Dorset’s first entry of the day, JPR One, found the ground too soft for his liking in the Arkle Chase.

Staying in touch with the leaders to the home straight, he was then impeded by a falling horse and trailed off to finish seventh.

Joe Tizzard’s second contender of the day, Eldorado Allen, also struggled with the heavy-to-soft conditions and was pulled up in the Ultima Handicap Chase, for which he had top weight.

READ MORE: Meet the 13 Dorset runners at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival

Harry Fry’s sole entry on day one, Love Envoi, travelled nicely in the Mares’ Hurdle but was overhauled and eventually finished fifth after favourite Lossiemouth stormed home to win.

Anthony Honeyball’s Kilbeg King achieved the highest finish of any Dorset runner on the first day, claiming fourth in the National Hunt Chase despite two jumping mistakes.

Dorset has four more runners on day two.