Horse racing followers now know the all-important going circumstances for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.
The Festival begins in earnest immediately (Tuesday 12 March) and can characteristic 28 races proper via till the finale on Friday. All eyes can be on Galopin Des Champs’ defence of his Gold Cup, however there’s loads to get pleasure from earlier than then.
There are seven star-studded races to get pleasure from on day one of many biggest present on turf, starting with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at 13:30 on Tuesday. One of the massive dialogue factors earlier than the primary race is what the going can be at Cheltenham.
READ MORE: Win a share in a Racehorse with the Daily Star and RaceShare!
The going has an influence on whether or not a horse will run in any respect at Cheltenham, to not point out what horses punters might select to again. If the going is just too mushy, a coach might select to withdraw a horse – likewise if the going is just too quick (not that there is a lot likelihood of that at Cheltenham in mid-March).
Cheltenham have now confirmed day one of many Festival can be run on mushy floor however heavy in locations. It follows a going stick studying on Monday which noticed the going eased from good to mushy, mushy in locations to only mushy.
(Image: PA)
Now punters know the bottom, all eyes can be on the Supreme, the place the Irish raiders head the highest of the market. The Willie Mullins-trained duo of Tullyhill and Mystical Power are each outstanding within the betting, alongside Slade Steel and Firefox.
Tuesday’s action-packed card additionally options the Arkle and the Champion Hurdle, the place State Man is hoping to justify favouritism after the scratching of ante-post favorite Constitution Hill final week. The Ultima and the Boodles are the 2 important handicaps of day one as excited punters look to bash the bookies from the off.