Unless you know your onions you might as well pick a name out of the hat for this one.

Another standing start brings a few jeers from the crowd before the 24 horses get their groove on...

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

I'll be canvassing the views of the BBC Radio 5 Live team throughout the week - asking for a 'good thing' and an each-way selection.

Next up, it's correspondent Cornelius Lysaght...

GOOD THING

15:30 Apple's Jade 2-1, Champion Hurdle

It's almost unfair that female horses of this standard get 7lb less weight than their male rivals.

If Buveur D'Air can beat her, he will rightly go down in jump racing history as a great hurdler.

EACH-WAY

14:50 Lake View Lad 20-1, Ultima Chase

It's very unusual to have a northern-trained top weight in a major handicap chase. Lake View Lad has the Grand National as his main target, but I could see him going well here.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Sir Alex Ferguson was in the pre-parade ring alongside TV personality/adulterer-baiter Jeremy Kyle, who co-owns Give Me A Copper with the legendary Manchester United manager.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

And the most unlikely pairing - well, since Elton John and Eminem teamed up for a live performance of Stan - are part of Give Me A Copper's connections...

A maximum field of 24 runners has been declared for the first handicap of the Festival - the Ultima Handicap Chase.

Grand National hope Lake View Lad is at the top of the weights for Nick Alexander - while leading ante-post fancies Give Me A Copper, Minella Rocco and Mister Whitaker all feature.

Two down, five to go...

13:30 - Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle Race 2m 87y -KLASSICAL DREAM

14:10 - Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase 1m 7f - DUC DES GENIEVRES

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

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

16:10 - OLBG Mares' Hurdle Race 2m 3f 200y

16:50 - Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase 2m 4f 44y

17:30 - National Hunt Chase (Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase) 3m 7f 147y

The sun is shining! Finally we have a break in the clouds in the Cotswolds. Let's hope that lasts and blasts away the possibility of tomorrow's racing coming under threat...

Cheltenham would not be the same without royalty - and today's special guest is Princess Anne.

As a former Olympic showjumper, Her Royal Highness certainly knows her stuff.

Image source, PA

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Nick Rust, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority: "This week our team of vets have been examining horses who are known as poor movers.

"We've had videos of all horses sent to us from places like France and Ireland.

"I'd like to mention how good all of the trainers have been with providing these.

"We haven't taken any horses out because of this but three horses have been taken out by their respective trainers and owners and its so important to us that these measures are being taken."

On a similar theme, and without wanting to dampen the mood somewhat, it hasn't been the most glorious time for racing recently.

The equine flu crisis, race boycotts in a row over prize money, wrong horse declared winner have all portrayed the sport in a negative light.

As did seven horses dying at last year's Festival following injury.

A raft of new measures aimed at improving equine safety have been introduced, including trainers having to submit videos of horses as well as detailed medication records to officials.

Every runner at jump racing's showpiece meeting will also undergo a veterinary check before racing for the first time.

"We must do everything we can to mitigate the risk of there being injuries and fatalities," Brant Dunshea, of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), told BBC Sport.

Read more of the new safety measures introduced here.

Thankfully it appears there have been no injuries reported - to horses and jockeys - after those falls for Ornua and Kalashikov in the last race.

Ever wondered what it feels like to ride a winner at Cheltenham? Ruby's had a few... but it clearly still means a lot judging by his reaction to victory in the day's opening race on Klassical Dream.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Jockey Paul Townend after claiming his ninth win at the Festival: "It's so, so impressive. I couldn't believe how well I was going in every part of that race. What a fantastic performance."

Image source, Reuters

Duc des Genievres is like a furnace. Steam coming out of the horse like it's a chimney on a bleak winter's day.

Paul Townend takes the plaudits as the grey is led back to the winners' enclosure, climbing up and fist-pumping to the connections as he gets a hearty round of applause.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins: "The ground changed that horse's chances. Paul moved from the top to the inside of the course. I wondered what he was doing but two horses fell right in front of him

"Everything went right after. He purred up the hill. The rain was a big help.

"Cheltenham has been very lucky for us and hopefully it can stay like that for a couple more days."

Image source, Reuters

Full result

1 Duc Des Genievres (Paul Townend) 5-1

2 Us And Them (J J Slevin) 14-1

3 Articulum (David Mullins) 25-1

Image source, Reuters

Duc des Genievres steps on the gas, Paul Townend urging him towards the line. No contest! A winner by a wide margin...

Two from two for Willie Mullins!

Lalor has pulled up! Rip up those betting slips...

Duc des Genievres leads with two fences left, Clondaw Castle in second...