Andrew Thornton
Jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 live at Cheltenham

Image source, PA

"I think the force is with the Irish in the World Hurdle. Annie Power's bred to get the trip. She's quite a free going type and needs to find her natural cruising speed. The last thing Ruby will want is for her to be pushing.

"Jockey Ruby Walsh will not be frightened to go ahead because she's a natural jumper. I don't know if Big Buck's will be in the top three.

"You have to look at the ground too. It will be good ground. Big Buck's thrives on stamina and there is not so much emphasis on that now."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

"Sunshine and shades yesterday, long johns and fog today. Such are the vagaries of Cheltenham in springtime.

"The mist is expected to clear, and while a coolish 9C is forecast by weather forecasters, the action will warm up with the World Hurdle showdown between Annie Power, trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins, and Big Buck's for Somerset-based Paul Nicholls.

"This racing corner of the Cotswolds has seen these kind of much-anticipated equine duels before, and they don't always turn out as expected.

"The 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup which saw the brilliant Nicholls-trained steeplechasers Kauto Star and Denman face off in the Cheltenham Gold Cup was billed as the 'War of the Wolds'.

"But the race was won by Imperial Commander, trained locally in Gloucestershire by Nigel Twiston-Davies."

My right hand man Ian Baker has picked out his ones to watch for today. You know who to buy a pint for if they come in for you...

13:30: Felix Yonger

14:05: Fingal Bay

14:40: Boston Bob

15:20: Annie Power

16:00 Johns Spirit

16:40: Buddy Bolero

As ever there are a variety of picks from national racing correspondents vying for the title of king of the tipsters.

Daily Telegraph's Malbrough believes Oscar Whiskey has the ground and course, external to deny Ruby Walsh a third straight opening race win in the Novices' Chase. "This fluent jumper may take some beating," he says.

Daily Mirror's Newsboy reckons More Of That can pull off an upset, external in the World Hurdle, upstaging both Big Buck's and Annie Power. "Billing a race as a two-horse affair, unless there are two runners, is a risky business," he says.

In the Pertempts Network Final, Chris Cook of the Guardian predicts Josies Orders can continue Jonjo O'Neill's good week, external at Cheltenham. "The winner of three of his past four on a variety of surfaces, he may still have something in hand on his revised mark," he claims.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Leading young Irish jockey Bryan Cooper is having surgery on a broken leg suffered in a fall at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.

Adrian McGoldrick, senior medical officer for the Irish Turf Club, indicated the injury is more serious than originally thought.

He said the 21-year-old jockey was undergoing an initial procedure at hospital in Gloucester on Thursday, before being moved to Bristol's Frenchay Hospital.

McGoldrick told the racecourse's Cheltenham Radio station: "He's got a very complex fracture of his leg. It's more serious than I initially anticipated."

Cooper was out of action for four months last year after breaking the same right leg in May 2013.

A Question of Sport Teaser

Today's #QSTeaser from @QofS_Official, external is...name the three horses to have won the Ladbrokes World Hurdle on more than one occasion since 2000.

We'll give you the answer at around 5pm.

On the subject of listening to horse racing on the radio, the BBC's John Hunt has been talking about what makes a perfect commentary. It's a decent listen and can be found on the horse racing index.

BBC Radio 5 live

Ever listened to horse racing on the radio? It's amazing, one of the best sports for excitement and drama - especially if you're desperately waiting for your ears to prick up to the commentator's mention of your horse. Give it a go today: the afternoon's first four races are live on BBC Radio 5 live, with the final three live on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra. You can also listen online at the top of this very page. Get stuck in, the boss won't mind. They'll be listening to it too!

Adrian Stanley:, external "All about the Power! As much of a legend that BB is, Annie is the new star on the block."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Much of Cheltenham racecourse was watered overnight as the course looks to ensure the ground is not too firm for runners.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse said there had been no rain at the track for 10 days.

"I have left the going on the New Course as Good, Good to Soft in places, having watered the majority of the round circuit. We put on between three and five millimetres of water. That is like an hour or two of relatively light rain," he said.

All bets are off with this little lot:

14:05: Lie Forrit (Going)

14:40: Cantlow (Vet's certificate, lame)

15:20: Mala Beach (Self certificate, stiff)

16:00: Carrickboy (Self certificate, stiff)

16:40: Dursey Sound (Self certificate, lame)

Cornelius Lysaght
BBC horse racing correspondent at Cheltenham

"Still foggy and not clearing as fast as predicted but improving."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Foggy Cheltenham racecourse at 10.30am, three hours before Thursday's first race on day three of the Festival:

BBC Radio 5 live

Sire De Grugy's co-owner Sean Preston on BBC Radio 5 live earlier this morning: "We were in a bit of doubt at the start as we were not sure how he would do but we were pretty confident.

"I'm nursing a sore throat after all the cheering and shouting. I don't know where all the drinks were coming from. They were just on the table and everyone was drinking everything.

"My dad has always been into horse racing and it was his dream to get a horse. Me and my brothers helped him towards it.

"It is way beyond all our dreams. The idea of buying a horse was hopefully one day we might get one win on a smaller track.

"But to be at Cheltenham was an absolute dream."

Image source, Getty Images

Before we continue with our build-up to this afternoon's action, it's worth looking back on yesterday's feature race - the Queen Mother Champion Chase - which was won by Sire De Grugy.

It's an amazing story, Roy of the Rovers stuff, because Runcorn businessman Steve Preston was given £2,000 by his friends and family towards buying a first racehorse as part of a 50th birthday present.

He pooled further funds and asked various trainers if they would buy him one and take a share. Gary Moore was the only one of the trainers he contacted who was happy with the proposal, and he bought Sire De Grugy in France for 50,000 euros.

Thirteen victories on, culminating in Wednesday's dominant six-length win, the eight-year-old horse has earned more than £500,000 in prize money.

Nineties pop star Gabrielle was right: dreams do come true. I know what I want for my birthday now.

Backing Big Buck's? Piling on the Power? Let us know who you think will win this afternoon's dust-up by tweeting us, using #bbcracing., external You can also text us on 81111.

Also feel free to share your tips and, if you're at Cheltenham today, why not send us a picture? Get twexting.

Of course, we may all look daft and neither Big Buck's nor Annie Power will win the World Hurdle. Here's the full line-up for St Patrick's Thursday in case you want to look elsewhere for a winner:

13:30: JLT Novices' Chase 2m 4f

14:05: Pertemps Network Final 3m

14:40: Ryanair Chase 2m 5f

15:20: Ladbrokes World Hurdle 3m

16:00: Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase 2m 4f

16:40: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase 3m 1½f

17:15: St Patrick's Derby 1m 5f

It's being billed as 'The Lady' versus 'The Champ' by the fine folk of the Racing Post, and what a build-up this afternoon's feature race has been afforded. Only injury prevented Big Buck's from having a crack at a fifth successive win in the race last year while Annie Power has an unblemished record of 10 wins from 10 starts. There is an aura rapidly developing around Ireland's next great hope - the type which only envelops the very best.

Oh yes, from the moment Willie Mullins confirmed Annie Power's participation in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, the world of horse racing was whipped into a frenzy. Does four-time winner Big Buck's have it in him for one last shot at glory? Is the undefeated Annie Power the next big superstar of the track? We'll soon find out.

Image source, PA

It's the big one, the most eagerly anticipated match-up of this year's Cheltenham Festival, the living legend (right) against the young pretender (left): it's Big Buck's versus Annie Power.