Trainer Willie Mullins enjoyed a dream start to the Cheltenham Festival with four winners, but Ruby Walsh - who led the unbeaten Faugheen to glory in the Champion Hurdle - was denied the same tally following a dramatic fall atop Annie Power.
The duo of Walsh and Mullins - top trainer in three of the last four years at Cheltenham - are expected to dominate this week and they set a fine marker on the first day in the Cotswolds.
Walsh started the day in blistering form by winning three of the opening four faces, but he was denied more success following Annie Power's misjudgement in the Mares' Hurdle.
His marquee moment came in the Champion Hurdle where odds-on favourite Faugheen led a Mullins 1-2-3 from Arctic Fire and Hurricane Fly.
He led from the start before the field bunched together with two jumps remaining, but Faugheen showed incredible power to burst free on the home stretch.
Faugheen's victory justified Walsh's decision not to ride Hurricane Fly, who he had guided to success in the same race in 2011 and 2013.
The retiring Tony McCoy - who was chasing a fourth Champions Hurdle victory - could only muster fourth atop last year's winner Jezki.
It appeared as though the biggest loser on the opening day would be the bookmakers with punters revelling in Walsh - top jockey in eight of the past 11 years at the festival - riding favourites Douvan and Un De Sceaux to victory in the Supreme Novices Hurdle and Challenge Trophy Chase respectively in the opening two races.
However, the bookies were left breathing a sigh of relief after the Mares Hurdle – reportedly saving £20million in pay-outs.
Annie Power looked certain to win at a canter, only to fall straight through the last fence, though fortunately to no physical cost for rider or horse.
Walsh said: "I don't know why she did it but that's racing and it happens."
Mullins was still able to celebrate, though, as another of his stable, Glens Melody, went on to win in a photo finish ahead of Polly Peachum.