Highland Hunter seems a little twitchy initially but the field for the Ultima Handicap Chase is away first time.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Image source, Getty Images

There would be few more fitting winners than Highland Hunter in the Ultima Chase.

The grey horse, trained by Fergal O'Brien, was a favourite of point-to-point rider Keagan Kirkby who died in a fall during a race last month.

Highland Hunter led the procession at the funeral last week of Keagan in the Somerset village of Ditcheat where Keagan worked for Paul Nicholls, who formerly trained the gelding.

An outside chance at around 40-1, Highland Hunter won well at Newbury 10 days ago and should appreciate the rain-softened ground.

Cheltenham never disappoints on the fashion stakes, especially in the crowd.

Image source, Getty Images

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Commentator John Hunt will be calling home the winners of all 28 races this week on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

Here's a couple of selections from John for today:

14:50 Ultima Chase - Stumptown 11-1

Pipped at the Festival 12 months ago, Stumptown is trained by a genius in Gavin Cromwell and will love increasingly testing ground.

16:10 Close Brother Mares' Hurdle - Gala Marceau 12-1

An inexplicably poor run last time is easily forgiven. Without it she would be half the price she is today on her French form and would be one of the favourites.

BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Explore all the makings of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in its 100th year as we go behind-the-scenes from Christmas Day to race-day.

Follow Paul Nicholls, Johnson White, Joe Tizzard and David Pipe as they prepared for the Festival.

Listen to the series on BBC Sounds here.

Image source, Getty Images

It’s a 21-strong field for the third race of the day so plenty of betting chances.

Twelve months ago, The Goffer ran well to finish fourth behind Corach Rambler, who went on to win the Grand National at Aintree, and could go well again for jockey Jack Kennedy and trainer Gordon Elliott.

There are strong British chances, led by the Kim Bailey-trained duo Chianti Classico and Trelawne. The former was an impressive performer over hurdles before switching to fences while the latter is hoping to impress after stepping up in trip.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

A man who has savoured Cheltenham Gold Cup success as a jockey is part of the BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra team.

Andrew Thornton triumphed on Cool Dawn in 1998 and has picked out a couple of fancies for today.

14:50 Ultima Chase - Chianti Classico 7-1

Has been in very good form this season. Lightly raced with just the three starts over fences and ran very well at Kempton last time. Potentially still well handicapped.

17:30 Maureen Mullins National Hunt Chase - Embassy Gardens 15-8

Embassy Gardens is two from two this season. This small field should suit and ground on the slow side will be perfect.

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Image source, PA Media

There has never been any doubt about Gaelic Warrior's ability but there is risk attached - the wayward jumping, the fizzy temperament but today it has all come together.

It is a masterstroke from the Willie Mullins team to put the hood on for the first time, not afraid to try something new on the biggest stage and drop back to the minimum trip.

That is why Willie is the best at what he does.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

The official going at Cheltenham has just been changed to HEAVY, SOFT IN PLACES.

It was earlier called Soft, Heavy in places after overnight rain.

The clock doesn't lie and the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle was won in a time of four minutes, 12.87 seconds, making it the slowest running of the race this century.

Somebody's on the board with an early winner...

Image source, PA Media

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Gaelic Warrior's impressive victory edges Willie Mullins closer to being the first person to train 100 Cheltenham Festival winners. He now needs another five.

And there were plenty who backed him, judging by the roar as the 2-1 favourite charged up the hill

It was another clean sweep for Ireland, with Matata the best-placed runner trained in Britain, finishing in fourth.

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

That was up there with the best from a talented horse and a talented jockey. Paul Townend dominated the race from the start. Once the horse got into the groove of jumping straight that was it but plaudits to Paul Townend. The horse's stamina showed up the hill.

1 Gaelic Warrior (P Townend) 2-1 Fav

2 Found A Fifty (J W Kennedy) 13-2

3 Il Etait Temps (D E Mullins) 7-2

10 ran

Winning jockey Paul Townend, speaking to ITV Sport: "It's as good a ride as I've had off him. His stamina came into play today."

Gaelic Warrior charges away after the final jump and it is a comfortable win ahead of Found A Fifty.

Win number 95 at Cheltenham for Willie Mullins.

A couple of fallers over the last fence but Gaelic Warrior is powering away...

Found A Fifty has made a move up into second with two to go. Well placed for the attack after the home turn...

Hunters Yarn is right at the back with four to go and has plenty of work to do.

Matata still leads but the field is bunching up a bit now.

Matata and Gaelic Warrior are jumping well as they reach the turn. Found A Fifty is third.