Summary

  • Espoir D'Allen (16-1) wins feature race, the Champion Hurdle

  • Buveur D'Air falls in bid for third successive victory in opening day's feature race

  • Benie Des Dieux, ridden by Ruby Walsh, falls at final fence in Mares' Hurdle

  • Other winners - 13:30 Klassical Dream (6-1); 14:10 Duc Des Genievres (5-1); 14:50 Beware the Bear (10-1); 16:10 Roksana (10-1); 16:50 A Plus Tard (5-1); 17:30 Le Breuil (14-1)

Live Reporting

Jonathan Jurejko

  1. 'A testing trip for many'

    Frank Keogh
    BBC Sport at Cheltenham

    It's a long road to Cheltenham - the wintry months of anticipation, the long journeys of racegoers from Ireland and elsewhere...

    This morning was a testing trip for many. Wind and rain sweeping across Gloucestershire. Sodden punters and softer conditions for the horses.

    That will all be forgotten come 13:30 when the collective roar from a 65,000 crowd signals the start of what is sure to be a dramatic four days...

    Cheltenham FestivalBBC Sport

  2. Apparently this inclement weather is known as Storm Gareth. Not the most menacingly-named storm, it has to be said.

    I've never known a Gareth who isn't anything other than gentile. Gates, Southgate...

  3. It's brolly weather at Cheltenham today. If there's not somebody with a pop-up brolly shop outside the course today, I'd be very surprised.

    RacegoerRex

  4. Weather warning

    Could Wednesday's meeting be cancelled?

    So, as we told you (see 12:47 entry), today's meeting should not be affected by the weather.

    Unfortunately there may be trouble ahead...

    "We wanted to give you a early insight into conditions for tomorrow as the forecast is looking challenging with strong gusty winds throughout the day," course clerk Simon Claisse says in his latest update.

    "We are continually monitoring situation and keep racegoers informed as the conditions present themselves."

    The Racing Post is reporting Cheltenham is considering extending the Festival to Saturday if tomorrow's meeting is cancelled.

  5. Countdown to Cheltenham...

    Wonder what Carol's betting strategy is?

    One from the top and any other five?

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  6. 'No concern about safety'

    Gusty winds and bands of rain have been battering the course, although Cheltenham officials says it is nothing which would leave them concerned about "public or racing safety".

    "The going on the Chase and Hurdle courses is Good to Soft, Soft in places," Simon Claisse, the course clerk, said this morning.

    "We could get up to half an inch, 12mm of rainfall, between 9:10am and 11.30am-12pm. Then it clears through and it's a much drier afternoon.

    "If that rain comes, the ground will go Soft, no doubt about that, but we will wait and see when it arrives."

    Well, the forecasts were right and the rain did come. The going is now Soft.

    Wet and windy start to the Cheltenham Festival

  7. Like most of the country (especially looking out of our office window at a soggy MediaCity), it has not been pleasant weather in Cheltenham.

    Hope this fella picked out his tips before ruining his newspaper to protect his head.

    CheltenhamPA

  8. Today's schedule

    Cheltenham Festival day one

    So here's the script for the opening day...

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

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

    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

  9. Hello! And welcome to day one of the Cheltenham Festival - jump racing's equivalent of Paris Fashion Week if you like.

    Style and substance, glitz and glamour, equine models strutting down their version of the catwalk....

  10. No, you've not landed on BBC News' live page for the Brexit vote. We're not talking about those in the corridors of Westminster, nor those watching on in Brussels or Strasbourg.

    Our backstop today, for those of you who want to turn your attentions away from politics, is Cheltenham...

    Cheltenham FestivalGetty Images

  11. All the deal-makers and industry-shakers will have woken up this morning with that churning feeling in their stomachs.

    Perhaps a slightly dry throat, or a thickish head too, all caused by an unsettled night's sleep. Anxiety, excitement, fear...

    What is going to happen today? Are things going to pan out as I hope they will? What will success or defeat mean for the rest of the week? For the future?

    Today is the start of a few days which is going to keep Britain and Ireland gripped...

    Theresa MayGetty Images