Cheltenham Festival LIVE: Odds, suggestions, winners and latest updates from opening day

Cheltenham’s cross-country course must cross an 8am inspection on Wednesday if the Glenfarclas Chase is to go forward that afternoon.

Overnight rain has resulted in additional easing of the going forward of the beginning of the 2024 Festival, with the bottom presently described as mushy, heavy in locations on the principle course whereas the cross-country monitor is waterlogged in locations.

Clerk of the course Jon Pullin stated: “We were initially forecast, going back two or three days, to be dry today. Then 48 hours ago that forecast updated to some light showers but only around a millimetre of rainfall. Then yesterday it was updated again to 2-4mm for this morning.

“The forecast which we got last thing yesterday then increased further and gave us some cause for concern and by 6.30 this morning we had actually had 6mm, with a further 4-6mm forecast through the morning.

“A heavier band of rain is due to arrive around 11am but it should be all over by around lunchtime. We might get an odd shower later in the afternoon but that should not be anything too measurable – the worst of this rain should finish this morning.”

“It’s obviously disappointing not to have Constitution Hill not in the Champion Hurdle, he’s obviously one of the standout horses of the Festival,” Walsh tells Racing TV.

“Like any major sporting event, when you don’t have one of the stars, it’s always a disappointment. It is what it is, and horse racing is no different from any other sport – all the athletes have to get there.”

Ricky Hatton might be coming right this moment. He was noticed in a Cheltenham pub final evening.

The former skilled boxer, 45, was noticed in bar Tailors on the place revellers serenaded him with a number of renditions of: “There’s just one Ricky Hatton.”

Racegoer Tony Hodson, 48, from London, had solely simply arrived in Cheltenham and popped to Tailors for his first pint of the week.

He stated: “From the second I walked in was an incredible ambiance in there and I quickly realised Ricky was in with some mates.

“Everyone wished a selfie and a chat with him and there was quickly a few choruses of

“There’s only one Ricky Hatton”. He took all of it in good spirits and had an enormous smile on his face.”

It’s a moist morning as workers put together for the arrival of 1000’s of individuals for the pageant.

Clerk of the course, John Pullin, says the forecast final evening for heavy rain this morning has materialised, with the Glenfarclas Cross-County Chase tomorrow already unsure.

If it’s off, we’ll be left with six races tomorrow as an alternative of the scheduled seven.

Mr Pullin hopes the rain will cease at lunchtime – however there’s no signal of it blowing over but.

Despite the climate, the band is already taking part in within the empty Guinness Village the place pints of the black stuff are being offered for £7.50.

Willie Mullins is probably the most profitable coach within the historical past of the Cheltenham Festival and on the point of registering a landmark one hundredth winner on the showpiece assembly.

Here, we check out these most probably to take Mullins right into a realm many would have thought unattainable when his profession started.

Kevin Blake tells ITV Racing, with Ireland 1/20 to win the cup: “It’s been a long time since this has been competitive.

“One time in history have they had 20+ winners, if the bookmakers are right, it could be a difficult week for the home team.”

Excitement is brewing for the largest horse racing occasion of the 12 months because the Cheltenham Festival quick approaches.

The Festival will take place over 4 days in March, beginning with Champion Day, then Ladies Day (formally referred to as Style Wednesday) on day two, and St Patrick’s Day falling on day three earlier than ending with Gold Cup Day.

There can be 28 races to take pleasure in, starting with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the Arkle Challenge Trophy and the Champion Hurdle on the opening Tuesday, and Friday’s finale will function the distinguished Cheltenham Gold Cup which is able to rejoice its centenary at this assembly.

Galopin Des Champs can be trying to declare back-to-back wins within the showpiece Gold Cup, whereas the Champion Hurdle has been thrown large open following the withdrawal of heavy favorite and defending champion Constitution Hill.

Here’s all the things it’s worthwhile to find out about watching each race from the Greatest Show on Turf’.

The horse racing season will get into its stride this month as the nice spectacle that’s Cheltenham Festival will get underway.

The Festival will take place over 4 days in March, beginning with Champion Day, then Ladies Day (formally referred to as Style Wednesday) on day two, and St Patrick’s Day falling on day three earlier than ending with Gold Cup Day.

There can be 28 races to take pleasure in, starting with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the Arkle Challenge Trophy and the Champion Hurdle on the opening Tuesday, and Friday’s finale will function the distinguished Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Legendary Irish coach Willie Mullins can be trying to make it six years in a row because the coach with probably the most wins on the Festival, whereas his jockey Paul Townend has been the excellent rider in three of the previous 4 years. The jockey who broke that streak, Rachael Blackmore, will even be using at Cheltenham this 12 months.

“I wish to give attention to his leaping, it was disastrous at Punchestown… A willingness to shorten, together with the final. He misplaced 5.8mph per hurdle,” says Kevin Blake on ITV Racing, on the three/1 favorite within the first race of the pageant at 13:30.

“This can be run at a correct tempo. I’d be actually involved about his leaping right this moment.”