The Cheltenham Festival will see more than a quarter-of-a-million horse racing fans flock to Prestbury Park for the biggest week in the sport.
'The Olympics of Racing', 'The Greatest Show on Turf', or whatever else you want to call it, over the course of the four-day meeting, 28 winners will be crowned, none more prestigious than in Friday's Gold Cup.
Last year's winner Al Boum Photo is back to defend his crown, but is likely to face stiff competition, including from some news rivals in the form of second-season chasers Santini, Delta Work and Lostintranslation.
Willie Mullins will be looking to secure yet another top trainer's title, while the top jockey prizze looks wide open in the first Festival since Ruby Walsh's retirement, last year's winner Nico De Boinville among a host of contenders.
Scroll down for Standard Sport's comprehensive preview of the festival...
Date, time and venue
The Cheltenham Festival got under way on Tuesday, March 10 and will continue until Friday, March 13.
Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park is the venue, the track being within walking distance of the town itself.
There will be seven races per day, with the first going off at 1:30pm and the last at 5:30pm. The feature race is staged at 3:30pm each day. For individual race times, check the full schedule below.
Tips
Weather
A winter of relentless rainfall had led to concerns that the Festival would start on heavy ground but a relatively dry spell over the weekend coupled with the course's excellent drainage meant things got under way on soft/heavy in places ground, with good to soft anticipated for Friday's Gold Cup.
Meanwhile, the current Met Office forecast is for a largely dry day two, with the possibility of sunny intervals in the early afternoon.
Schedule and results
All times GMT. Feature race at 3:30pm each day.
Wednesday schedule and results
| 1:30pm Ballymore Novices' Hurdle result |
| 1. Envoi Allen (FR) Davy Russell 4/7 |
| 2. Easywork (FR) Rachael Blackmore 12/1 |
| 3. The Big Getaway (IRE) Paul Townend 9/1 |
| 2:10pm RSA Novices' Chase |
| 1. Champ (IRE) B J Geraghty 4/1 |
| 2. Minella Indo (IRE) Rachael Blackmore 3/1 |
| 3. Allaho (FR) Paul Townend 5/2 |
| 2:50pm Coral Cup |
| 1. Dame De Compagnie (FR) B J Geraghty 5/1 |
| 2. Black Tears Davy Russell 19/1 |
| 3. Thosedaysaregone (IRE) K J Brouder (3) 15/1 |
| 3.30pm Queen Mother Champion Chase result |
| 1. Politologue (FR) Harry Skelton 18/1 |
| 2. Dynamite Dollars (FR) Harry Cobden 16/1 |
| 4.10pm Cross Country Chase |
| 1. Easysland (FR) J Plouganou 4/1 |
| 2. Tiger Roll (IRE) K M Donoghue 10/11 |
| 3. Out Sam Mr J J Codd 54/1 |
| 4.50pm Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle |
| 1. Aramax (GER) M P Walsh 15/1 |
| 2. Night Edition (FR) Tom Scudamore 22/1 |
| 3. Saint D'Oroux (FR) Daryl Jacob 17/1 |
| 5.30pm Champion Bumper |
| Adrimel (FR) Richard Johnson |
| Appreciate It (IRE) Mr P W Mullins |
| Ask A Honey Bee (IRE) Paddy Brennan |
| Brief Ambition Adam Wedge |
| Can You Call Mr J Martin |
| Eskylane (IRE) Davy Russell |
| Ferny Hollow (IRE) Paul Townend |
| Five Bar Brian (IRE) D J Mullins |
| Good Time Jonny (IRE) Robbie Power |
| Israel Champ (IRE) Tom Scudamore |
| Julies Stowaway (IRE) Danny Mullins |
| Linelee King (FR) Adrian Heskin |
| Mahler Allstar (IRE) M P Walsh |
| One True King (IRE) Sam Twiston-Davies |
| Snowpiercer (FR) Miss Lorna Brooke |
| Third Time Lucki (IRE) Harry Skelton |
| Darling Daughter (IRE) Ms Lisa O'Neill |
| Queens Brook (IRE) Mr J J Codd |
| The Glancing Queen (IRE) Tom Cannon |
| Audacity Gavin Sheehan |
| Let Me Entertain U Brendan Powell |
| Ocean Wind Aidan Coleman |
| Panic Attack (IRE) Brian Hughes |
Thursday
| 1:30pm | Marsh Novices' Chase |
| 2:10pm | Pertemps Network Final |
| 2:50pm | Ryanair Chase |
| 3:30pm | Stayers' Hurdle |
| 4:10pm | Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate |
| 4:50pm | Mares' Novice Hurdle |
| 5:30pm | Kim Muir Handicap Chase |
Friday
| 1:30pm | Triumph Hurdle |
| 2:10pm | County Hurdle |
| 2:50pm | Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle |
| 3:30pm | Cheltenham Gold Cup |
| 4:10pm | Foxhunters' Chase |
| 4:50pm | Grand Annual |
| 5:30pm | Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle |
Tuesday results
| 1:30pm Supreme Novices' Hurdle result |
| 1 Shishkin (IRE) Nico De Boinville 6/1 |
| 2 Abacadabras (FR) Davy Russell 4/1 |
| 3 Chantry House (IRE) B J Geraghty 7/1 |
| 2:10pm Arkle Challenge Trophy result |
| 1 Put The Kettle On (IRE) Aidan Coleman 16/1 |
| 2 Fakir D'Oudairies (FR) M P Walsh 3/1 |
| 3 Rouge Vif (FR) Gavin Sheehan 9/1 |
| 2:50pm Festival Handicap Chase result |
| 1 The Conditional (IRE) Brendan Powell 17/2 |
| 2 Kildisart (IRE) Daryl Jacob 12/1 |
| 3 Discorama (FR) B J Cooper 9/1 |
| 3:30pm Champion Hurdle result |
| 1 Epatante (FR) B J Geraghty 13/5 |
| 2 Sharjah (FR) Mr P W Mullins 15/1 |
| 3 Darver Star (IRE) Jonathan Moore 15/1 |
| 4:10pm David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle result |
| 1 Honeysuckle Rachael Blackmore 7/2 |
| 2 Benie Des Dieux (FR) Paul Townend 4/7 |
| 3 Elfile (FR) Danny Mullins 35/1 |
| 4:50pm Novices' Handicap Chase |
| 1. Imperial Aura (IRE) David Bass 5/1 |
| 2. Galvin (IRE) Davy Russell 9/1 |
| 3. Hold The Note (IRE) Jonathan Burke 10/1 |
| 5.30pm National Hunt Chase |
| 1 Ravenhill (IRE) Mr J J Codd 12/1 |
| 2 Lord Du Mesnil (FR) Mr Sam Waley-Cohen 11/2 |
| 3 Lamanver Pippin Mr W Biddick 22/1 |
Cheltenham Gold Cup odds (via Betfair)
Odds subject to change, correct as of 10/03/20
- Al Boum Photo 9/2
- Santini 5/1
- Delta Work 6/1
- Lostintranslation 7/1
- Clan Des Obeaux 7/1
- Kemboy 11/1
- Presenting Percy 11/1
- Chris's Dream 37/1
- Monalee 26/1
- Real Steel 159/1
- Bristol De Mai 24/1
- Elegant Escape 99/1
