Charlie Poste
National Hunt jockey on BBC Radio 5 live

It was a good job for Lizzie Kelly that that race was not 10 metres longer. They did not go off too quickly in the early stages and that might have proved crucial for Coo Star Sivola.

Lizzie Kelly clutches her face in delight. And probably a fair slice of relief.

Shantou Flyer was pushing all the way up the final straight, but Coo Star Sivola held strong to win by a head.

1. Coo Star Sivola Lizzie Kelly 5-1 Fav

2. Shantou Flyer James Bowen 14-1

3. Vintage Clouds Danny Cook 7-1

4. Beware The Bear J McGrath

Image source, BBC Sport

Coo Star Sivola makes his move! Lizzie Kelly urges her mount on a little more and she is a length clear with two to jump...

Eamon An Cnoic is at the front with Coo Star Sivola tucked in behind. The pace is bubbling up...

Singlefarmpayment is tucked in well in fourth but it is still Coo Star Sivola in third and the box seat just behind leaders Vintage Clouds and Yala Enki.

Vintage Clouds and Yala Enki at the front with Coo Star Sivola well placed in the pack and prominent.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Plenty hold chances in the Ultima Handicap Chase (14:50) with Gold Present looking to avenge a narrow defeat in the Close Brothers Handicap Chase at last year’s Festival.

Lizzie Kelly has high hopes aboard Coo Star Sivola but Un Temps Pour Tout - winner of the last two runnings - has not raced since and misses out this time.

BBC Radio 5 live

Coo Star Sivola trainer Nick Williams: "We are used to this, but we are still nervous. He has a chance, but so have the rest of them it is an open race. He was impressive at Exeter but this is a very different kettle of fish. We have a plan of sorts. Let's see if it pans out."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

I've been asking some of the BBC Radio 5 live team for their selections, and two are in agreement on the next - including one of the race's leading players:

Jockey Andrew Thornton:14:50 Coo Star Sivola (5-1)

I fancy Coo Star Sivola, with Lizzie Kelly on board. He has course form and his last run upped in trip at Exeter was impressive. He only gets a 6lb penalty for that win.

Jockey Lizzie Kelly:14:50 Coo Star Sivola (5-1)

It would be wrong to not pick my own ride Coo Star Sivola. He's sure to like the trip and ground. I'm very excited to be riding him in this race I think it's my best chance of a winner this week.

Read more on day one here

Next up is the Handicap Chase and Coo Star Sivola and Lizzie Kelly, who sauntered to victory over three miles at Exeter last time out, are favourites...

Image source, BBC Sport

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Racegoers have been enjoying some unexpected spring sunshine and taking a few selfies - or 'Chelfies' as they are known in these parts.

Kayleigh Davies and her husband Anthony have made the trip to the Festival from south Wales for the second time.

"There's such an exciting atmosphere, a real buzz," said Kayleigh, 29.

Anthony, 31, added: "That roar from the crowd at the start of the first race is like nothing you get anywhere else."

Image source, Frank Keogh

Image source, Getty

Nicky Henderson talking to John Inverdale on BBC Radio 5 live: Altior is perfectly ok. Preparation and nerves have been difficult but we're here now. He was lame yesterday but thankfully sound this morning. You have to pray- Buveur d'Air's preparation has been brilliant. The course is going to be very tough. It's horrible out there. My riders know my horses well.

There's a strip of new ground and for the first couple of races there will be a scrum to get onto that strip. It's going to be very hard work- very unpleasant.

Image source, BBC Sport

Bringing a bit of banter to their British-Irish rivalry are former cricketer Phil Tufnell and snooker star Ken Doherty who are the 'captains' of the two nominal sides.

Doherty seems to have been racing's loss."People keep stopping me thinking I'm a jockey," he tells BBC Radio 5 live.

'I've only been retained for my enthusiasm!' says Tuffnell after losing 19-9 last year.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

So, what will the rain-softened ground mean for runners and riders?

Jockey Patrick Mullins, the son of trainer Willie, told me: “You’ll need a different set of attributes than usual. The cruising speed you need round here might not be as important.

“Some horses prefer the sun on the back rather than the wet and the muck – a bit like a cross-country runner compared with a track runner.

“It will probably mean a safer Festival. Falls will be softer. And I’m sure jockeys will be responsible and pull horses up when they are tired.”

Image source, Frank Keogh

Image source, Reuters

If you have a cunning leftfield selection that is going to drop jaws and fill your wallet, let us in on the secret.

And, in honour of the heavy ground, we want to hear your tales of watching racing in extreme conditions. Eight pairs of socks and six cups of Bovril to survive a November card at Ayr, that sort of thing.

Get in touch via 81111 on text or #bbcracing, external on Twitter.

A beaming Isaac Souede - owner of Arkle Chase winner Footpad - enjoys talking Cornelius Lysaght through his success.

That win for the Willie Mullins-trained Footpad levels things up in the British-Irish stakes

Image source, BBC Sport

Former Liverpool, Tottenham and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp’s got one eye on the horses here at Cheltenham, and reckons Manchester United will beat Sevilla in the Champions League tonight.

Image source, BBC Sport

Winning jockey Ruby Walsh, who recently returned from a broken leg: "It is wonderful. It is great to be back. It has been a long winter and you wonder if it is all worth it and then you get a winner here and you remember it all over again. The leg was alright. Physical pain can be managed."