BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

Winning jockey Noel Fehily: "It is a great start to the week. I had a lot of faith in this horse after he won the Tolworth Hurdle. I was nearly down at the second last and he really dug in for me."

Winning trainer Tom George: "It is fantastic, we will enjoy it all now. I didn't enjoy it with the mistakes over the final three hurdles, but Noel Fehily, unlike me, was not flustered by it."

John Hunt
BBC commentator

Summerville Boy! Those who love their racing - what a spinetingling finish. He sat off the pace early and delivered at the right moment.

What a race!

Full of intrigue as Getabird's frontrunning tactics were undone by the heavy ground and Kalashnikov was hauled in by Noel Fehily and his 9-1 winner.

The full top three:

1 Summerville Boy (N D Fehily) 9-1

2 Kalashnikov (Jack Quinlan) 5-1

3 Mengli Khan (J W Kennedy) 14-1

Image source, Reuters

Getabird is tiring and fast... Kalashnikov takes up the pace!

Image source, PA

Three to jump and it is Getabird and First Flow with Paloma Blue well placed under Davey Russell...

Getabird still at the front of affairs. Does Ruby Walsh want to try and take all the imponderables out of the equation?

First Flow is up on his shoulder.

Getabird is straight to the front of the pack. It is a bold strategy if it is a deliberate move...

First Flow is just tucked inside in second.

Right, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle field come together.

Stalk towards the starter, get the nod and fly down the turf.

The crowd roar and we are under way...

Image source, Reuters

Derek Thompson = psyched.

It might also be worth keeping half an eye out for another Willie Mullins' shot - Sharjah.

He looked set for a Grade One victory at Leopardstown in December before falling at the last and has decent form over heavy ground.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Image source, Frank Keogh

The roar which greets the start of the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle (13:30) at the Festival is part of Cheltenham folklore.

And favourite backers will be hoping to roar home Getabird, for the potent combination of trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh, who have both won the race five times before.

Image source, PA

The first day of the Festival and, at the moment, everyone stands equal.

If you have a cunning leftfield selection that has 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.

Image source, BBC Sport

Jockey Katie Walsh speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "You'll really see what jockeys are made of this week."

Image source, BBC Sport

Jockey Lizzie Kelly, who rides Coo Star Sivola at 14:50 BST, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "I walked the track this morning. I didn't need my wellies so it's not too bad!"

Image source, Getty Images

And this is what we can look forward to today.

All times GMT and a quick switch to BBC Radio 5 live sports extra will be needed to keep the commentary flowing from 16:00 GMT on.

13:30: Supreme Novices' Hurdle Race 2m ½f

14:10: Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase 2m

14:50: The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase 3m 1f

15:30: Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 2m ½f

16:10: OLBG Mares' Hurdle 2m 4f

16:50: The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 4m

17:30: The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase 2m 4½f

Check out racecards and results here

Cornelius Lysaght
BBC horse racing correspondent at Cheltenham

If you think it is soft out there, you want to try a winter steeplechase in Navan.

It has been a long wet winter and most of the class acts on show over the next four days have been out on similar ground in similar conditions. There will be no surprises for them.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Welcome to Cheltenham. This is the view from the panoramic restaurant. Not too shabby, eh?

After months of speculation, debate and form analysis, the Festival is with us for another year and the anticipation is at fever pitch.

With the going officially heavy, soft in places after rain in the build-up, it will start on the wettest ground for 36 years.

There are sure to be plenty of thrills and spills over the next four days...

Image source, Frank Keogh

And here is John Hunt fresh from lunch, wrapped in his company puffa and raring to go for all 28 commentary races over the next four days.

This is his office for the week...

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live will be there for every mud-splattered moment of this year's Festival with live commentary on every one of the 28 races.

The commentary is about to get up and running and you can tune in on this very page. Just flick a finger or cursor to the top of this page and hit the play button to get the rapid-fire John Hunt calling them home with all the best analysis from the likes of John Inverdale, Cornelius Lysaght, Derek Thompson, Gina Harding and Andrew Thornton.

Lovely stuff.