LIVE Cheltenham Festival LIVE: All the action, updates, tips and insight from Day One of 'The Greatest Show on Turf', with Constitution Hill headlining as he looks to win the Champion Hurdle Click here for the latest Cheltenham Festival news, schedule and race results By Charlotte Daly For Mailonline Published: 08:59 GMT, 14 March 2023 | Updated: 11:22 GMT, 14 March 2023 e-mail 2 View comments Follow Sportsmail's live blog as the Cheltenham Festival gets underway on Day One, with full coverage of today's races - including the Champion Hurdle - to come. Charlotte Daly Host commentator 11:22 What about the Arkle Novices' Chase? There looks no shortage of early pace here, with the headstrong Dysart Dynamo, Effernock Fizz and Ha D’or all likely to race to the first fence, while Jonbon is unlikely to be far behind. With that in mind, EL FABIOLO should relish the prospect of another strongly run race on just his third start over fences. The selection picked up strongly under a similar scenario at the Dublin Racing Festival last month in the strongest novice chase of its type run this season and, but for a blunder at the fourth-last fence, produced a largely blemish-free round of jumping. JONBON beat El Fabiolo over hurdles at Aintree last spring and has done little wrong over fences, even if he was more workmanlike than brilliant at Warwick last time.

Saint Roi crashed out of the Irish Arkle but could pick up some pieces late on. 11:21 Who should you back for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle? There is a chance IL ETAIT TEMPS did not receive the credit he deserved for his runaway victory at the Dublin Racing Festival, with most analysis concentrated on the below-par run of stablemate Facile Vega. There have been plenty of excuses offered for Facile Vega’s poor showing and he is highly likely to leave that effort behind here, but the selection ran to a very high level himself that day and I like the fact he has jumped hurdles at the Festival, courtesy of his fifth in last year’s Triumph Hurdle. Following a dry February, connect ions of MARINE NATIONALE are probably ruing the recent rain, but he remains a major player with his high cruising speed suited to this test. RARE EDITION looks overpriced, given there were valid excuses for his Huntingdon eclipse last time.

11:11 Henry de Bromhead's thoughts ahead of the festival... Henry de Bromhead has firmly established himself as one of the sport's elite trainers over the course of the past decade, regularly challenging the powerhouse Irish yards of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott for top honours on home soil as well as enjoying huge success in the Cotswolds. It is 13 years since De Bromhead first struck Festival gold in the 2010 Arkle with the popular Sizing Europe, who returned to Prestbury Park 12 months later to lift the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Five winless years at Cheltenham followed, but De Bromhead rebuilt and strengthened to such an extent that in 2021 - at a Festival run behind closed doors due to the Covid pandemic - he became the first trainer in Festival history to complete the Champion Hurdle-Champion Chase-Gold Cup treble with Honeysuckle, Put The Kettle On and Minella Indo respectively. Last year's meeting brought further glory, with Honeysuckle successfully defending her Champion Hurdle crown and A Plus Tard giving him back-to-back Gold Cup wins under the record-breaking Rachael Blackmore. De Bromhead's current tally of 18 Festival wins puts him comfortably in the top 10 current trainers. Here's what he had to say ahead of the opening day of the 2023 festival..

. Good morning and happy Tuesday you lovely people! It’s @iamtomskinner 's first day at @CheltenhamRaces and he’s got where water can’t and getting advice from the best trainer @HenrydeBromhead . Give it 110%, good Luck. Bosh ❤️ #ITVRacing | @itv7 | #Cheltenham2023 pic.twitter.

com/sKhNCCNufo — ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 14, 2023 11:06 Constitution Hill's groom Jaydon Lee on the superstar... Speaking to the Jockey's Club, Jaydon Lee said: I’d seen him a few times going up the gallop before I got on him and it didn’t look like he was any good. 'I was then put on him one day for a piece of work and I thought we are going to get lapped, then I pulled him and he just took off and I was like wow.

'It was just the turn of foot and acceleration he showed and the ease of which he did it. The back of the hill is one of the best gallops in the country and if you can go a good gallop from the bottom and pull away from other horses on the bridle still feeling like you are doing a half speed then they are pretty special.” "I almost fell off the back of him!" ✈️ Nobody knows Constitution Hill like Jaydon ❤️ Get the inside track on the horse set to light up the festival in 7 days' time! 🤩 #BehindTheHorse | @SevenBarrows | @CheltenhamRaces pic.twitter.com/kTlUZ7Yn6o — Great British Racing (@GBRacing) March 7, 2023 11:03 Going at Cheltenham for day one of the festival.

.. Going @CheltenhamRaces for Day one of the Festival 2023 is Old: Soft New & CC: Soft, Good to Soft (in places). GS: Old: 5.1 New: 5.

8 on 14-03-2023 at 09:30. 7mm of rain in the last 24hrs. Light shower this morning (1mm). Remainder of the day dry.Updates: https://t.

co/TL5K3xBFyr pic.twitter.com/jdRxUx6Fl1 — turftrax (@TurfTrax) March 14, 2023 11:02 Soft ground is concerning Shark Hanlon ahead of Gold Cup...

The prospect of soft ground at Cheltenham is concerning Irish trainer Shark Hanlon ahead of Hewick's potential participation in Friday's Boodles Gold Cup. The bargain buy, who only cost 850 euros, is at his best on drier ground and Hanlon must also consider his entry in next month's Randox Grand National. Hanlon said: 'You don't want to leave his race at Cheltenham with the National only four weeks away.' 11:00 Marie's Rock will defend her crown in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle..

. Marie's Rock will defend her crown in this afternoon's Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle after the prospect of soft Cheltenham Festival ground scuppered the plan to up her to three miles for the first time in Thursday's Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle. Nico De Boinville will ride Marie's Rock, who was last seen when an impressive six-length winner of the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's day. The decision means trainer Nicky Henderson will now have three runners in the two and a half mile grade one mares' race with 2020 Champion Hurdle winner Epatante (Aidan Coleman) and improving Theatre Glory (Daryl Jacob) also representing him. 10:52 Honeysuckle is in the house.

.. There won't be a dry eye in the house if Honeysuckle wins the Close Brothers Mares Hurdle. Even Rachael Blackmore acknowledged that today’s race will tug at the heart strings. The jockey said: 'I don’t think there will ever be a day that you ride Honeysuckle without pressure.

She’s been an incredible mare for me in my career and hopefully the book hasn’t closed just yet and there’s another chapter to write.' 👑 The Queen of @CheltenhamRaces is in the building There won't be a dry eye in the house if Honeysuckle wins the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle #ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/WgXbhutB04 — ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 14, 2023 10:46 Here comes the punters..

. Gates have opened and the influx of punters down the main concourse has begun. You know things are getting started because we just spotted Alan Brazil. 10:45 Touts are setting up..

. The Touts are setting up camp ahead of the opening race later today. All 28 races at Cheltenham last year were among the top 35 races most bet upon in the UK in 2022, apparently. 10:42 How many punters are expected at the races? Cheltenham has always been popular, there is no denying that. It’s estimated that that over 274,000 racegoers are set to descend on the town from March 14 to March 17 for the iconic horse racing spectacle, with Friday’s Gold Cup race to be the busiest day of the week with 68,500 spectators due to be in attendance.

10:40 Paddy Power expects to hit a whopping 25,000 bets per minute... Paddy Power estimates that 25,000 bets will be placed every minute across the four days of this year's Cheltenham Festival. The first race of the festival, the Supreme Novice hurdle, currently has over 87,000 bets already placed on it, with significant interest since festival favourite, Facile Vega, was beaten in Dublin Racing Festival back in February.

The Irish horse racing contingent’s performance at the Cheltenham Festival in recent years has been so dominant that racing fans have continued to back Irish horses and jockeys in a big way. Irish-trained Facile Vega is currently the most backed horse at the festival with 20% more bets on him than any other horse. With 23 Cheltenham wins already under his belt, Paul Townend is leading the way with an estimated 100,000 bets already placed on him. Not a surprise as Townend will be riding close to 10 favourites across the festival. Additionally, a horse called ‘BAD’ (4.

50 Boodles Handicap hurdle) has been one of the best backed horses of Day One since Racheal Blackmore was confirmed as jockey. Friday’s Gold Cup race continues to prove popular with racing fans with 25,000 bets placed so far, with Irish horse Hewick the most backed, followed by the English-trained Bravemansgame. For those looking for increased odds, popular special doubles include Constitution Hill to win the 2023 Champion Hurdle by 10 lengths or more, Corach Rambler to win the 2023 Ultima Handicap & Aintree Grand National, and Gerri Colombe to win the 2023 Brown Advisory & the 2024 Gold Cup. 10:33 Constitution Hill is en route! CONSTITUTION HILL ⚫️⚪️ is off on his way to @CheltenhamRaces with his groom, Jaydon Lee, ahead of the Unibet Champion Hurdle this afternoon. pic.

twitter.com/T3q37Ppk8H — Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) March 14, 2023 10:31 The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle... 11 runners have been declared for an enthralling renewal of the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle on Thursday - contenders include former winner Paisley Park, French raider Gold Tweet and Flooring Porter who is looking to join the legendary winners of the race by winning the marquee event for the third successive year.

10:30 The Guinness village is bracing itself... The army of staff is under starters orders as the Guinness village braces itself for a 1030am opening. I can imagine it's going to be a pretty hectic day for them! 10:26 Rich Ricci opens up on being a racehorse owner.

.. There are few characters in the horse racing world quite like Rich Ricci. The former banker - who has previously labelled himself the 'maddest f***er on the planet' - is an extremely shrewd investor and has had a decorated career in the racing world. At Cheltenham in 2016, the American famously won just shy of £400,000 in prize money after three of his horses - Douvan, Annie Power and Vroum Vroum Mag - all won, costing bookies an estimated £10m in the process.

Rarely receptive to interviews or speaking to the press, Ricci sat down exclusively with Paddy Power and Walsh for the Paddy Power Racing YouTube channel to reflect on his fascinating experiences at the Festival over the years. CHECK IT OUT BELOW... Rich Ricci opens up on his experiences at the Cheltenham Festival EXCLUSIVE: Richi has formed a long-standing partnership with Willie Mullins who trains all of his horses, while they were regularly ridden by the now-retired jockey Ruby Walsh.

Mail Online 10:22 Some more tips for you this morning... The punters have come out in force for Honeysuckle on her final racecourse start, backing the dual Champion Hurdle heroine into a clear 2-1 favourite for the Mares' Hurdle. Perseus Way, Risk Belle and Romancero Le Dun all have their supporters this morning with Paddy Power for the Boodles Handicap (4.

50). Tenzing, a lively outsider for the 5.30 according to Robin Goodfellow's morning column, has been backed from 20-1 into 9-1 in the finale for that man - yes you guessed it - Willie Mullins (who also trains the hot favourite for good measure) 10:20 Punters are arriving in style...

10:12 WEATHER UPDATE: Ground will provide a test for Day One runners... Speaking to ITV, Jon Pullin said: 'It's been a tricky period. We had little rain through january so had to start watering in February.

The long-range forecast suggested nothing until this week! The forecast is to be dry for today but temperatures are to drop later today around 10pm. 'Temperatures will be back positive by around 8am tomorrow morning with rain later tomorrow. We're soft ground, it'll be testing today after 7mm over the past day. It's soft all over.' 🗣 "It will be testing for day one.

" The ground is soft at @CheltenhamRaces but we're forecast a drying day ahead. It's been a difficult build-up for clerk of the course Jon Pullin, who explains more in this important update to @Niallhannity #CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/0R5UfByWLp — Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2023 10:11 RUBY WALSH: Galopin Des Champs 'will WIN' the Gold Cup..

. It's safe to say Ruby Walsh knows a thing or two about winners at Prestbury Park given the fact he claimed 59 titles himself! So, with that in mind, the Festival legend has tipped Galopin Des Champs to live up to his billing and win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The former jockey told Paddy Power he would be 'all over' the 43-year-old if he was still racing and insisted the Gold Cup 'looks tailor-made for him'. I mean, if that isn't a raving review, I don't know what is. CHECK OUT WHAT WALSH HAD TO SAY BELOW.

.. Ruby Walsh tips Galopin Des Champs to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup Galopin Des Champs has been in fine form this year, earning himself the favourite tag going into the historic race, with Paddy Power giving him odds of 6/4 to cross the line first. Mail Online 10:08 Can't help but laugh at this one..

. If you’re going to Cheltenham this week, it’s important to be fully prepared. @RealRomfordPele is on hand to help… #Cheltenham #CheltenhamFestival 🔞18+ and GambleAware pic.twitter.com/lN6zOv0TVS — Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 14, 2023 10:07 Five Cheltenham Festival rank outsiders who could outrun their odds.

.. Outsiders have often prospered at Cheltenham and this year will be no different! Venetia Williams-trained Funambule Sivola looks to improve on last year's finish, while Summerville Boy is running with promise under new trainer Henry de Bromhead. So, with upsets in mind, Marcus Townend has shared his thoughts on the rank outsiders that could yet knock the favourites out of competition. Check out who is in the running below.

READ MORE BELOW... Five Cheltenham Festival rank outsiders who could outrun their odds Outsiders have often prospered at Cheltenham and this year will be no different. Marcus Townend shares his thoughts on the outsiders that could yet knock the favourites out of competition.

Mail Online 10:06 Punters able to pour their own pints... A new innovation has been found in selected bars at Cheltenham this year. Punters will be able to help themselves to a pint of Guinness or lager.

And... judging by the amount of plastic cups laid out they are expecting plenty of use. At £7.

50 per pint of Guinness and £7.40 for a lager there is not much discount for removing the human service element. 10:00 Who is looking popular with the bookies? Facile Vega and 'Wizard of the Odds' selection Inthepocket proving popular with Paddy Power in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. While Dysart Dynamo (another Willie Mullins candidate) is to be supported with Paddy Power this morning and is now into 6-1 for the Arkle Chase (2.10).

Plus... Davy Russell, who has come out of retirement more times than Tom Brady, is on the chief market mover in the Ultima Chase (2.50) with The Goffer now 12-1 (from 16-1).

09:58 That mate that always wins a fortune after picking a random horse... Let's see who Barry from Eastenders fancies at Cheltenham today..

. #Cheltenham | #CheltenhamFestival 🔞18+ BeGambleAware pic.twitter.com/54UO2bkiHk — Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 14, 2023 09:56 Punters hoping for cheaper pints..

. Racegoers will be hoping for some better drink prices this year after slamming 'p***-take' alcohol prices at last year's Festival. Visitors to the famous racecourse were left in shock after being charged 'eye-watering' sums for booze at the four-day festival, including £8.50 for wine in plastic cups and £14 for a double gin and tonic. According to social media posts showing a drinks menu at Cheltenham , Guinness, 500ml of Doom Bar bitter, and Aspalls cider cost £7, while bottles of ‘house champagne’ will set back revellers a whopping £65.

We'll let you know how much drinks are at this year's Festival as Sportsmail has boots on the ground at Prestbury Park. READ MORE BELOW... Cheltenham 2022: Punters slam organisers over £7 Guinness Visitors to the Cheltenham racecourse have been left in shock after being charged 'eye-watering' sums for booze, including £8.

50 for wine in plastic cups and £14 for a double gin and tonic. Mail Online 09:54 A whopping 50k is up for grabs with Paddy Power... If the free bets weren't enough, Paddy Power have another couple of generous offerings as they gear up for the action.

Their free-to-play Pick 5 game - available to play on Paddy Power News throughout the Festival - promises a share of 50k if you can pick five winners. And if picking horses is just too taxing, there's 100k cash being dropped in 20 random customers' accounts as part of their Finders Keepers show on YouTube on Tuesday morning (8.30am). Let's hope for a more successful day than Monday, where the same was done then but no customers logged in to claim it. They were left with 500 quid each as a consolation.

09:52 Constitution Hill is known for being laid back... The most amazing part of the Constitution Hill story is his temperament. A monster on the track, he is a teddy bear off it.

He was bought as a foal by Henderson’s former stable jockey Barry Geraghty before being sold on to owner Michael Buckley. In those formative years Geraghty’s three young daughters Siofra, Orla and Rian all rode him. ‘It’s a bit unheard of and he is the only one they have ridden, Geraghty said. ‘He was the most laid-back horse ever. We have had some other nice horses but never anything as horizontal as him!’ So laid back is Constitution Hill that in his early days in Henderson’s Lambourn stables he was considered so slow and lazy that he was blamed for holding up the whole string.

Henderson even phoned his former jockey to seek reassurance that he had not been sold a dud. ‘One morning we put a rider on him,’ Henderson said, ‘and shouted, “For Christ sake would you give this thing a bit of a wake-up to see if it is any good”. All of a sudden it came up the gallop on its own. He was literally a furlong in front of the other two that he had set off behind and the rider wasn’t exactly pushing him. He had found the button.

’ 09:51 Can Constitution Hill make his mark on the sport? Constitution Hill could easily have an impact on the sport as far-reaching as the great Frankel, the colt rated the best ever to race on the Flat, who won all his 14 races for his late trainer, Sir Henry Cecil. Later today, in front of a day one Festival crowd of almost 65,000 and with hundreds of thousands watching on television, the stage is set to send the message of his brilliance worldwide. ‘Constitution Hill obviously has a huge amount of ability,’ an excited Nicky Henderson said on Monday, ‘but his most potent weapon is that he channels it in the right direction. ‘It’s his mind which sets him apart. He is so uncomplicated.

He eats. He sleeps, he works. In a race I don’t think it would make any difference whether you went two miles or three. You can ride him how you want. ‘One must not get too carried away at this stage of life.

He is only a young horse. He has got quite a long way to go but visually he has been very impressive every time he has run. 'You can’t fault what he has done. We have been lucky enough to train a lot of nice horses and when these sort of things come along you find yourself being the minder of a piece of public property.’ 09:47 It wouldn't be Cheltenham Festival without bringing this 2019 clip up.

.. 10 out of 10 for effort on this! 👏🤣 pic.twitter.com/LUq485Ia6Y — ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 1, 2019 09:46 PRESTBURY PARK UPDATE: The Sun is poking through.

.. Sun beginning to poke through the threatening clouds at Prestbury Park on what could be a momentous day...

A frenetic Arkle Chase? Constitution Hill's coronation? Honeysuckle's emotional farewell? A great day's sport in store... 09:45 Constitution Hill is an equine star that has an F1 engine and Volvo reliability..

. Constitution Hill is the horse that all eyes will be on for the Champion Hurdle. So, get there early, get a good view. If you are lucky enough to be one of the thousands flooding into the Cheltenham Festival later today, do not miss it. This could be an 'I was there' moment.

If you are at home, tune in, sit back and take it all in because the remarkable Constitution Hill will stake his claim to be one of the greatest jump horses of all time when he guns for the Champion Hurdle on the opening day. Constitution Hill, who is the incredibly short odds of 1-3 favourite to beat his six rivals, has only raced five times — but each time he has destroyed the field. He has captured the imagination of the racing public but on Tuesday can move front and centre of the general public’s consciousness. The six-year-old has been hailed as the perfect racehorse — an equine athlete with an F1 engine and the laid-back temperament and reliability of a Volvo. Trainer Nicky Henderson has already won the Champion Hurdle a record eight times but in Constitution Hill, a gelding he describes as 'extraordinary', his ninth success could be the most spectacular yet.

“He’s doing freakish things, but he’s only had five runs in his life and you have to remember that it’s very early days in his career." 📰 Constitution Hill top of the bill as the #CheltenhamFestival gets under way this afternoon👇 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2023 09:41 Making your way to Cheltenham? Here's how the traffic is looking... A417 - GLOUCESTER - GLOUCESTERSHIRE There have been reports of a broken down vehicle on A417 near Imperial Gate Business Park.

The direction and obstruction have not yet been confirmed. A429 - STOW-ON-THE-WOLD - GLOUCESTERSHIRE If you're heading in this direction, expect delays of about 10 minutes as there is queueing traffic on A429 near the Unicorn Hotel. A429 HIGH STREET AND STOW ROAD - MORETON-IN-MARSH - GLOUCESTERSHIRE Lengthy delayed here as there is heavy traffic on A429 High Street and Stow Road around A44 mini roundabouts. At the moment, the travel time is 15 minutes but that is expected to go up. CAINSCROSS ROAD - STROUD - GLOUCESTERSHIRE Yep, you guessed it.

More heavy traffic. This time the delay is on Cainscross Road between the Cainscross Roundabout and the Bell Hotel Roundabout. You will be adding about 10 minutes to your journey heading this way. 09:36 I'm sorry but this was too good not to share..

. Girlfriend: I've booked a lovely holiday as a surprise for us on the 13th of March to the 19th. Me: #CheltenhamFestival 😍 pic.twitter.com/FpqxeXYk6j — Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) March 5, 2023 09:36 Paddy Power free bets.

.. Every Paddy Power punter has been given a free bet in their online account on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to use on any race - and two horses are catching the eye. Fastorslow, running in the Ultima, and Willie Mullins's Brandy Love in the Mares' Hurdle at 4.10pm are the two best-backed horses among customers.

Both have costly liabilities on them which have left traders fearful. 09:35 Irish face late dash for press passes... Not ideal preparations for the Irish press jetting in to watch the nation's horses compete for the Prestbury Cup at Cheltenham.

Their passes were sent out weeks ago but, due to strikes, none of the travelling party had received them. Therefore, some had to had to shoot to the course earlier than planned on Monday, while others are having to make an earlier start today to ensure they get in. No such problems for the British journalists. With the strength of the Irish contingent on the track, the Brits will take any small win. 09:32 Paddy Power doing what Paddy Power does best.

.. You can always count on Paddy Power for coming up with something Brilliant and this year is no different. The bookmakers have launched a limited-edition lager ahead of the Cheltenham Festival – and promise to give punters attending their fan zones an exclusive taste of 'British Tears' if an Irish horse wins on Gold Cup Day. The specially commissioned home brew was created in partnership with a craft brewery in Dublin, Ireland, to celebrate their first ever Cheltenham Fan zone at Greenwood Sports Pub and Kitchen near Victoria in London City.

09:26 Looking for a tipster? Choosing which tipster to follow for Cheltenham week is always a tough ask but, if the history books are anything to go by, you'd do far worse than keeping an eye on ITV pundit Mick Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald writes for Paddy Power News and he ended up taking the betting company to the cleaners last year when he tipped up three winners and two tasty each-way finishers for readers. The biggest price of his fancies for day one is Fanion D'estruval in the Ultima at 2.50pm, which is shortening by the minute. If he strides home for Venetia Williams on Tuesday, Fitzgerald will be costing the company a fortune.

Stay tuned and we will be bringing you all of his latest tips right here! 09:24 Honeysuckle looking to go out on a high... Rachael Blackmore may not be part of the headline race with her treasured Honeysuckle on Tuesday but she still feels they can end their Cheltenham story on a high. The duo won the Mares’ Hurdle in 2020 before graduating to the Champion Hurdle which they have won for last two seasons.

In the process, Blackmore made history by becoming the first female jockey to win the Champion Hurdle. Honeysuckle lost her unbeaten record on her 17th career start at Fairyhouse in December. And after she was beaten by leading State Man — a leading contender for Tuesday's feature race — in last month’s Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown retirement was considered. But trainer Henry de Bromhead and owner Kenny Alexander have decided to give Honeysuckle a chance to go out on a high in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle before she is retired to stud. Opposition is strong, headed by 2020 Champion Hurdle winner Epatante but Blackmore is confident her mount still has the ability and desire to make an impact.

Today, we say farewell to a legend🎈 Honeysuckle's Last Ride: ⏰ 4.10 PM 🏇 @CloseBrothers Mares' Hurdle pic.twitter.com/HfY8R7F3dK — CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 14, 2023 09:20 A little weather update for you..

. There has been 7mm of rain in the last 24hrs. Light shower this morning (1mm). Remainder of the day will be dry. Meaning.

.. the ground is now soft (which is ideal for National Hunt racing). 09:18 Let the fun begin! Guzzling pints of Guinness seems to go hand-in-hand with horse racing and Cheltenham is expected to be not different. According to The Sun, punters are expected to drink 220,000 pints across the course of the four days.

That's over 50,000 pints per day! St Patrick's Day also falls on the most popular day of the week - Gold Cup Friday. So the real question is... will there be a single drop of Guinness left in the place by the time the curtain falls on the 2023 edition? 09:17 The final race of the day.

.. Day one of the Cheltenham Festival will finish with the National Hunt Chase. Amateur riders were unable to compete in 2021 due to Coronavirus but returned in 2022 when Patrick Mullins secured his third win in the race when helping Stattler to success, surpassing his father Willie’s two wins as a rider in this contest. 09:15 The penultimate race of the day.

.. The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle is the penultimate race of the day. It's a race for the four-year-old's who don't typically have what it takes to compete in the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle. But, it's always a good race that provides plenty of action.

09:10 Honeysuckle looking to win the Mares Hurdle... Okay so next up is the Mares Hurdle. Another exciting race for day one of the festival.

It's regarded as a relatively new race and was established in 2008 to keep mares racing. It's a race that Willie Mullins has began to dominate - winning nine of the 15 runnings. He secured six of those with the remarkable Quevega. But..

. there could be a new Queen Bee in town this year. Honeysuckle will be pushing to win the Mares' Hurdle for a second time. 09:07 Paddy Power..

. we feel you! Morning all, it's here, it's finally here. pic.twitter.com/vPfUFQYLKz — Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 14, 2023 09:05 Why you can't miss the Champion Hurdle.

.. Oft, I've got goosebumps just saying it. The Champion Hurdle is the feature race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival and it's set to be a cracker. The Champion Hurdle is the most prestigious two-mile hurdle race in the British calendar and can't be missed.

Racing icons such as Night Nurse, Monksfield and Sea Pigeon won Champion Hurdle twice each in the golden era for hurdling over four decades ago. Then you had the likes of Istabraq and See You Then who took the race by storm in more recent years. As a result, JP McManus became synonymous with the event. But enough with the history - who is the favourite to win the feature race this year? Well, Constitution Hill is the heavily-backed favourite to win after his victory in the Supreme Novices' Hurdles last year. So, keep your eyes peeled! 09:03 The Ultima Handicap Chase is one for the Brits.

.. Okay so next up with have the Ultima Handicap Chase...

but why should you be excited about this one? Well, it's the first handicap of the festival and one of two staying handicap chases on offer over the four days. This race is also notorious for producing British winners - which is needed given the Irish tend to dominate everything else! As it stands, British-trained horses have won the last 16 runnings, with Jonjo O’Neill and David Pipe have been responsible for three of those victories apiece. 09:03 What is the Arkle Chase? The Arkle Chase is the second race of the day and is regarded as the stepping stone to the Champion Chase. Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop, Voy Por Ustedes, Sizing Europe, Sprinter Sacre and Altior all won this race before stepping up and winning the Champions Chase 12 months later. But, the reason I love this race so much is because it's one for the punters.

Seven favourites have won the Arkle Chase in the last decade... making it someone of a crowd pleaser! 09:02 So, what do we have in store today? Well, today is the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and it's always an exciting one. We have the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 1.

30. This will see the best two-mile novice hurdlers from Britain and Ireland go head-to-head at Prestbury Park. The winner will be greeted by the infamous Cheltenham roar as the festival gets underway. But, who will win? That's the question on everyone's mind. Well, Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson have dominated the first Grade 1 of the festival in recent years.

They have won eight of the last ten runnings with high-class performers. 09:02 Hello and welcome! Hello and welcome to Sportsmail's live blog for the opening day of the Cheltenham festival. Things will kick off with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at 1:30 and we couldn't be more excited. Cheltenham is known for providing agony and ecstasy on the track, but also plenty of fun off it! So, make sure you stay tuned as we bring you all of the build-up, news and live action from day one of the iconic festival. Plus, we'll be sharing some hot tips on how to beat the bookies! {"id":"11857459","channel":"/sport","pageUrl":"https://www.

dailymail.co.uk/sport/live/article-11857459/Cheltenham-Festival-LIVE-Race-updates-results-tips-racecard-odds-weather-Day-One.html","status":"running","greenBox":{"body":""},"lastDate":1678792974219} Share or comment on this article: Cheltenham Festival LIVE: Race updates and results, tips, racecard, odds, weather on Day One e-mail Add comment Comments 2 Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all The comments below have not been moderated. View all The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

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