The Cheltenham Festival starts on Tuesday, 11 March and concludes on Friday, 14 March. Fans will be glued to 28 races over four days, with seven races per day, including 13 races run over fences across the week, 13 over hurdles plus a bumper (flat race) and a cross-country chase.

The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival delivered plenty of thrills and spills, setting the stage for an action-packed week of racing. The prestigious four-day event is one of the biggest events in the horse racing calendar, drawing top jockeys, trainers and enthusiastic punters to Gloucestershire.

Follow all the news, including previews, expert tips, free bet offers and the latest Cheltenham odds from Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival with our live blog below: The opening race of the Cheltenham Festival has been renamed in memory of Irish jockey Michael O’Sullivan who passed away in February due to injuries caused by a fall.

With more than 250,000 punters are expected through the gates, the weather will could play a vital role in helping to bash the bookies

After a dramatic, emotional opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, attention now turns to day two on which another Nicky Henderson star, Jonbon, will take centre stage in the Queen Mother Champions Chase.