A large field - of 26 to be precise - over 2m 1f. A clean start and they're on their way.

The next lot of hopefuls are bounding up the track to the start line and get to hear a few words from some of the jockeys about their prospects...

"Last to first, hopefully," laughs Harry Cobden, who rides Thyme White (28-1).

"If they don't know how to jump now we're in trouble," shrugs Paul Townend, on board Ganapathi (6-1).

Quite. Seconds away as the runners come forward...

In recent times, this race has been shared by Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins, who have split the last six running between them.

Third Time Lucki, who was fourth in the Champion Bumper last year, represents the Skelton yard this time around.

Mullins has five challengers with Ganapathi, ridden by Paul Townend, probably his best chance.

But there has been plenty of interest in You Raised Me Up - a winner of both of his starts in Ireland this season and trainer Martin Brassil has been talking up his chances while Champagne Gold, ridden by Rachael Blackmore is also well-fancied.

Image source, Getty Images

Back to work then for Rachael Blackmore. She's riding Champagne Gold - another Henry de Bromhead horse - in the next race.

A big field of 25 here...

13:20 - JCB Triumph Hurdle 2m 1f - QUILIXIOS (2-1)

13:55 - County Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f

14:30 - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 3m

15:05 - Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase 3m 2f

15:40 - Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase 3m 2 1/2f

16:15 - Mares' Chase 2m 4 1/2f

16:50 - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle 2m 4 1/2f

In case you weren't aware, Quilixios was one of the horses moved from Gordon Elliott's yard to Henry de Bromhead. That came after the scandal which rocked the racing world and saw Elliott banned for a year after being pictured sat on a dead horse.

Both Blackmore and De Bromhead paid tribute to the work done by Elliott's team in their post-race interviews.

'Thank you, thank you' - the same refrain from Rachael Blackmore as I congratulate her once again at the finishing line of a deserted Cheltenham as she leads another winner back in.

This time she raises an arm. Maybe I'm a lucky charm. Maybe she is just in a different league right now.

A quite outstanding line from leading trainer Fergal O'Brien....

I'm slightly regretting not backing A Plus Tard in the Gold Cup now. Feels at the moment like Rachael Blackmore can't lose this week!

That last win seems to have sealed her place as this week's leading jockey.

One more victory and she will equal Ruby Walsh's record of seven winners at one Festival, which he set in 2016.

"I hope she beats him!" laughs AP McCoy on ITV Racing.

Image source, PA Media

Andrew Thornton
Former Gold Cup-winning jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Rachael Blackmore is just making all the right decisions. She had so much time in the race, pulls out at the right time, pushes the buttons at the right time - it is like clockwork.

It has been poetry in motion.

Charlie Poste
Former jump jockey on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

That was a fantastic ride from a rider at the top of her game.

For any rider, one Cheltenham winner is brilliant but six is an incredible achievement.

Winning jockey Rachael Blackmore, speaking to ITV Racing, after her sixth winner of the week: "It is incredible. Henry only has the horse for short space of time, he just had to get him here. He's a smashing horse. It's brilliant.

"My parents are getting a great kick out of it, they'd have loved to be here."

On the upcoming Gold Cup, where she rides A Plus Tard: "Everyone delighted with the horse and we're all there to beat Al Boum so we'll do our best.

1 Quilixios (Rachael Blackmore) 2-1

2 Adagio (T Scudamore) 10-1

3 Haut En Couleurs (P Townend) 20-1

8 ran

Guess who? Yes. It is Rachael Blackmore. Flames!

Almost everything she has touched has turned to gold this week.

Another winner for the Blackmore/Henry de Bromhead winning ticket.

Image source, PA Media

Quilixios leads goes over the last, Adagio is pressing though...

Talking About You wobbles on the penultimate fence, Quilixios sniffs the opportunity...

Talking About You is feeling Quilixios's breath on his behind. Zanahiyr well-placed, Tritronic biding his time. Three hurdles to go...

Eight runners here. Talking About You is setting the early pace. All about stamina in the latter stages this one.

No Cheltenham Roar, of course. Sad face.

Nevertheless, the horses are galloping past the starter and that means GOLD CUP DAY IS UNDER WAY!