Summary

  • Mare Honeysuckle retains her Champion Hurdle title for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead

  • Champion Hurdle: Honeysuckle (8-11 F), Epatante (16-1), Zanahiyr (28-)

  • Ultima: Corach Rambler (10-1), Gericault Roque (9-1), Oscar Elite (22-1)

  • Arkle: Edwardstone (5-2 F), Gabynako (25-1), Blue Lord (4-1)

  • Supreme Novices Hurdle: Constitution Hill (9-4 CF), Jonbon (5-1), Kilcruit (6-1)

  • Mares' Hurdle: Marie's Rock (18-1), Queens Brook (4-1), Mrs Milner (14-1)

  • Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: Brazil (10-1), Gaelic Warrior (13-8 F), Bell Ex One (28-1)

  • National Hunt Novices' Chase: Stattler (2-1), Run Wild Fred (15-8 F), Vanillier (11-4)

  • Irish runners beat British trainers 23-5 in 2021

  • Fans return after missing 2021 Festival because of Covid-19 pandemic

Live Reporting

Gary Rose and Callum Matthews

  1. 'Blackmore now has the pressure of expectation'

    Ruby Walsh on ITV: "Everyone is under pressure to show they can perform on the biggest stage. Rachael Blackmore now has the pressure of expectation because people will be expecting her to repeat what she did 12 months ago - it isn't as simple as that."

  2. Blackmore to light up Cheltenham again?

    Rachael Blackmore celebrates winning the 2021 Champion Hurdle on HoneysuckleGetty Images

    While there were no fans in attendance, last year's Cheltenham Festival was still a memorable one with Rachael Blackmore lighting it up.

    She became the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle, aboard Honeysuckle, and she was also crowned the Festival’s leading jockey with six winners.

    Blackmore and Honeysuckle go in the Champion Hurdle at 15:30 GMT.

    Rachael Blackmore lifts the winners' trophy for the 2021 Champion Hurdle at CheltenhamGetty Images

  3. Pundit picks

    Frank Keogh
    BBC Sport at Cheltenham

    We'll be asking some of our BBC pundits for selections throughout the week. First up is former jockey Andrew Thornton, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1998 on Cool Dawn.

    13:30 Supreme Novices' Hurdle

    Constitution Hill (5-2) is a monster who scorched clear on his two runs at Sandown earlier this season. Hopefully he can get the English off to a flying start.

    14:10 Arkle Chase

    Edwardstone (11-4) is a much better chaser than hurdler. Won his last four and seems to be improving, Strong stayer and should be very hard to beat.

  4. Day one card

    All times GMT

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

    14:10: Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase 1m 7f 199y

    14:50: Ultima Handicap Chase 3m 1f

    15:30: Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 2m 87y

    16:10: Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle 2m 3f 200y

    16:50: Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 2m 87y

    17:30: Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Novices' Chase 3m 5f 201y

  5. Get involved

    #bbcracing or text (81111 UK only - texts charged at your standard rate)

    How excited are you for Cheltenham? Are you there or following the action from home?

    Let us know via #bbcracing or text 81111 (UK only - texts charged at your standard rate).

  6. The stage is set

    Frank Keogh
    BBC Sport at Cheltenham

    Cheltenham RacecourseBBC Sport

    It's been a long time between drinks - 732 days to be precise - but after last year's meeting went ahead behind closed doors because of Covid-19, the Cheltenham Festival welcomes spectators back this year.

    It's been dry and cool in the morning, with the going officially described as Good to Soft. A crowd of nearly 70,000 is expected at the Gloucestershire track today.

    Cheltenham RacecourseBBC Sport

  7. Ready for the roar?

    .Getty Images

    Cheltenham without fans is like Ant without Dec, it doesn't feel right.

    But thankfully, after the eerie atmosphere of empty stands last year, there will be crowds once again this week.

    It's day one of the Cheltenham Festival, Christmas Day morning for horse racing fans, and soon we will hear that famous Cheltenham roar again.

    .Getty Images