Postpublished at 13:31 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
And we're under way!
Listen to that roar!
Summary
Lossiemouth wins Mares' Hurdle - a third winner of day for Mullins & Townend
Mullins now has 97 Festival winners
Heavy favourite State Man wins Champion Hurdle for Mullins
Chianti Classico (6-1) takes gruelling Ultima Handicap Chase
Gaelic Warrior (2-1 f) gives Mullins first winner of meeting
Blackmore opens with win on Slade Steel (7-2) in Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Lark In The Mornin triumphant in Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Corbetts Cross pulls clear to win Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase
Postpublished at 13:31 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
False startpublished at 13:31 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Those crowds will have to wait a moment longer, the horses broke a little early.
We'll go again.
Postpublished at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
The stands are jampacked, we're almost ready to go.
A sea of muted greens and browns, with the occasional flash of colour.
Postpublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Asian Master is the office favourite for this opening race, ridden by Thomas Costello.
He's notably the tallest jockey in the world, standing at a mighty 6'4.
The Mullins rider is bedecked in a blue and yellow check, easy to spot as he sits high above heads of the crowd.
'No-one is gifted winners at Cheltenham'published at 13:28 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Despite his strong hand, Willie Mullins is taking nothing for granted as he approaches the 100-winner landmark.
"It's not something I think anyone in racing ever thought of so I don't know," said Mullins, who with 94 wins is 21 clear of nearest challenger Henderson for Festival triumphs.
"We've gone one or two days without a winner at Cheltenham and no-one is gifted winners at Cheltenham. It's only when you go back every year - you sort of forget how hard it is to win there."
Mullins dominantpublished at 13:25 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Sports ExtraThe domination of Mullins will be immense this week. It is a Willie Mullins-led domination from the Irish here and there is strength across the board.
Postpublished at 13:23 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
The horses are winding their way to the start line - we're minutes from hearing that first Cheltenham roar.
This first field testing conditions, hopefully the crowd can stay a little drier in the stands.
Mullins the manpublished at 13:20 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Image source, Getty ImagesAll eyes are going to be on Irish trainer Willie Mullins this week as he has the favourite in many of the 28 races.
He's almost certain to make history, too, with just six wins needed to become the first person to have 100 Festival winners.
In general Irish-trained runners are expected to dominate again, with only 10 of last year's winners from Britain.
Can Mullins start the day with a win?published at 13:16 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
13:30 - Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, 2m 1/2f
Image source, Getty ImagesSo, let’s get going!
On what could be another superb week for trainer Willie Mullins, can he extend his winning record to eight wins in the opening race?
He has six of the 12-strong field with Tullyhill, ridden by Paul Townend, probably the one with the strongest chance.
The grey comes to Prestbury Park after back-to-back wins in his last two outings but stablemate Mystical Power could be the one to challenge.
Postpublished at 13:13 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
This chap is ready for the rain at a soggy Cheltenham.
Image source, PA MediaListen to the action livepublished at 13:09 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
BBC Radio 5 LiveYou can listen to live commentary from Cheltenham on all the action on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, with feature races on Radio 5 live.
Tune in via radio, online and BBC Sounds.
Soggy start to Cheltenhampublished at 13:07 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham
Ah, Cheltenham in Springtime. And it’s been wet.
Punters will be looking for horses that cope with testing conditions and the mud flying - with form on soft or heavy going a big plus.
After weeks of rain in the build-up, another 6mm fell overnight, with more this morning.
That changed the going on the Old Course - where all races bar one are staged on Tuesday and Wednesday - and the New Course (Thursday and Friday) to soft, heavy in places.
An inspection will take place on Wednesday morning to see if the Cross Country Chase, where parts of the track are waterlogged, can take place later that day or whether it should be rescheduled for Friday.
What to watch out for on day onepublished at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Image source, Getty ImagesBookmakers fear a kicking with punters likely to include Supreme contender Tullyhill, Arkle Chase hopeful Gaelic Warrior and Mares' Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth in Mullins accumulators.
Gordon Elliott's Irish Point will be among those trying to halt the charge in the Champion Hurdle.
Tuesday's schedulepublished at 13:01 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Hello! Form studied and bets placed? Here's what we've got coming up on the opening day of the Festival (all times GMT).
13:30 - Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, 2m 1/2f
14:10 - My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase, 2m
14:50 - Ultima Handicap Chase, 3m 1f
15:30 - Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, 2m 1/2f
16:10 - Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, 2m 4f
16:50 - Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, 2m 4 1/2f
17:30 - National Hunt Chase (Novices' Chase, amateur jockeys), 3m 6f
Time for the roar once morepublished at 12:57 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March
Image source, Getty ImagesIt is that time of the year again - one of the highlights of the racing calendar as horses, riders and punters descend on Gloucestershire for four days of excitement, drama and emotional scenes.
It is, of course, the Cheltenham Festival and it will soon be time to hear one of the most spine-tingling annual moments in sport, with the famous roar signalling the start of the racing.