If you are one of the punters mentioned below, here are some tips from our expert to (potentially) help you...

There is an pair of inflatable 50ft pants whistling in the Cheltenham win. Racing, eh?

Some punters may well be, ahem, flying by the seat of their pants today.

For many people, Envoi Allen has been the banker of the week. He has already won two Festival races in previous years and is hotly tipped to make it three in today's opener.

However, his build-up hasn't been without interruption after he was moved to Henry de Bromhead's yard from Gordon Elliott by owners Cheveley Park.

But with 11 wins from his 11 starts, he is the one to beat.

This time around his big rivals include the Nicky Henderson-trained Chantry House and Dan Skelton's Shan Blue, who is already a Grade 1 winner.

Image source, Getty Images

Cheltenham looks lush right now. Spring sunshine is covering the course and the Cotswold hills. The shadows of the contours creating a lovely contrast. Splendid.

Not long to go until the opening day of the race. Fifteen... nope, 13 minutes, to be precise.

Let's sharpen our focus on the 1:20...

(* I know it is technically not spring but it's around the corner...)

And yet more non-runners

13:55

20 Bushypark

14:30

12 Saint Calvados

Of course, there can be dangers of gambling for some people. Bet safely, everyone.

Here is a warning from the other side of betting: Patrick Foster tells his story of hitting rock bottom in March 2018 after racking up huge gambling debts.

"I had taken out two bank loans, maximised my overdraft and missed my last month's rent. I realised things were spiralling out of control," says the teacher from Northamptonshire.

Read Patrick's story here.

Imagine, just IMAGINE, deliberating over that decision.

I panic over whether to cash out a £2.66 profit.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

A punter will win at least £250,000 from a £5 bet after deciding to 'cash out' on the final leg of his accumulator at Cheltenham.

Paul Dean was eyeing a potential £511,000 payday on Thursday if the last runner in his five-horse wager - hot favourite Envoi Allen - triumphed.

But he has decided not to risk it all and will collect £300,000 from Betfair if Envoi Allen wins.

Dean will net £250,000 if the Marsh Novices' Chase favourite is beaten.

"So after celebrations last night, four hours sleep, an hour's walk at 5am, I've decided to take a partial cash out," he said.

Read more on this story here...

Not ideal if any of those two were part of your acca.

Speaking of which...

Some more non-runners for you.

16:50

1 Double Shuffle

24 Young Dev

Doesn't feel the same without the trackside bookies yelping their latest odds, does it?

Is that a bit of Hard-Fi I can hear in the background?

Half an hour away from the opening race of the day. The atmosphere would be crackling right now in usual circumstances. Alas, as we well know, that is not the case this year...

Our man at the track - Frank Keogh - is there and surveying the scene...

Image source, PA Media

While we can't quite recreate the hubbub of the Festival - but we can try our best in the circumstances.

So... please get in touch on Twitter using #bccracing.

Any tips? Anyone not backing Envoi Allen?

And how are you following the action from home? Perhaps you've dug out the whistle and flute/posh dress and headpiece? Mini-bar set up in the corner?

Let us know!

Image source, PA Media

Fittingly, it was all about the Irish on St Patrick's Day. Six of the seven races were won by horses trained in the Emerald Isle - with Tiger Roll stealing most of the headlines.

The two-time Grand National winner claimed a remarkable fifth Cheltenham triumph with victory in the Cross Country Chase yesterday.

The 11-year-old, ridden by Keith Donoghue, put recent defeats behind him to score by 18 lengths from Easysland.

Tiger Roll (9-2) won for Denise Foster, who has stepped in while trainer Gordon Elliott serves a six-month ban.

Catch up here with all of the news from day two at the Festival.

Image source, PA Media

There was no Roar and no fans - but there was plenty to cheer on the opening day.

Rachael Blackmore made racing history as she became the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham with victory on Honeysuckle.

The Irish rider coolly guided the 11-10 favourite to win by six and a half lengths for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

It was an 11th successive victory for the unbeaten mare, and a landmark win for her 31-year-old jockey.

Joining us today for the first time this week? Where have you been?!

(Disclaimer: this is my first day working on the Festival.)

If so, you might want a little catch-up. A reminder of what has happened this week is coming up...

Image source, PA Media

While thousands of you will be wishing you were trackside in the Cotswolds, don't worry. We've got you covered here.

As well as our text updates, you can listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra's coverage by clicking the tab on this page.

Sports Extra is bringing you commentary of all 28 races at the four-day festival, with coverage of Gold Cup day on 5 Live including Friday's big race at at 15:05 GMT.

Full details of the BBC coverage is right here.

13:55

12 Southfield Harvest

15 Getaround

14:30

3 Dashel Drasher

11 Real Steel

15:40

10 Laskalin

18 Smarty Wild

16:50

18 Late Romantic

The headline horse may be Envoi Allen but the headline race is the Stayers' Hurdle - one of the Festival's fab four.

More on that a little later. Here's the card...

13:20: Marsh Novices' Chase (2m 4f, Grade 1)

13:55: Final Handicap Hurdle (3m, Grade 3)

14:30: Ryanair Chase (2m 4 1/2f, Grade 1)

15:05: Stayers' Hurdle (3m, Grade 1)

15:40: Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase (2m 4 1/2f, Grade 3)

16:15: Mares' Novices Hurdle (2m 1f, Grade 2)

16:50: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (3m 2f)