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As it happenedended

Cheltenham Festival 2017 - as it happened: Tips, races and results from Champion Hurdle day

Re-live all the action from day one at the Cheltenham Festival 

Tuesday 14 March 2017 11:31 GMT
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Cheltenham Festival 2017
Cheltenham Festival 2017 (Getty)

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The Cheltenham Festival has finally arrived with four days of action-packed racing to get stuck into, culminating in the eagerly-anticipated Gold Cup.

Follow all the live action from today's races and stay tuned as we bring you the latest tips and odds.

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Tuesday - Champion Day:

1.30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

2.10 Racing Post Arkle Steeple Chase

2.50 Baylis & Harding Handicap Chase

The Willie Mullins string make their way onto the gallops
The Willie Mullins string make their way onto the gallops (Getty)

3.30 Stan James Champion Hurdle

4.10 Mares’ Hurdle

4.50 National Hunt Chase

5.30 Close Brothers H’cap Chase

Our big-race predictions:

Day One

Champion Hurdle – Brain Power

The forecast good ground will see this progressive horse make the most of a weak renewal.

Day Two

RSA Chase – Whisper

With reasons to swerve those at the front of the market, this chaser’s Cheltenham record will serve as invaluable experience.

The main stand at Cheltenham
The main stand at Cheltenham (Getty)

Day Three

JLT Novices’ Chase – Disko

This grey can pile on the pressure from the front, and jump his rivals into submission.

Day Four

Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup - Cue Card

Heart over head for what would surely be the perfect end to a brilliant career.

Buveur d'Air's win marks a 57th Cheltenham Festival triumph for Nicky Henderson

Charles Reynolds14 March 2017 15:55

Next up is the Mares' Hurdle, with Willie Mullins training both the first and second favourites, Limini – ridden by Ruby Walsh – and Vroum Vroum Mag ridden by Paul Townend. Apple's Jade is not far behind as the third favourite, with the rest of the field all at much longer odds. Could be a fascinating race.

Charles Reynolds14 March 2017 15:59

Buveur d'Air winner of the Champion Hurdle 

Charles Reynolds14 March 2017 16:10

So can anyone upset the Willie Mullins duo of Limini and Vroum Vroum Mag? We're about to find out any second. Horses out on the track. Mullins still looking for his first winner of the day.

Charles Reynolds14 March 2017 16:12

Charles Reynolds14 March 2017 16:12

Charles Reynolds14 March 2017 16:12

Charles Reynolds14 March 2017 16:12

Lot of support for last year's winner Vroum Vroum Mag

Charles Reynolds14 March 2017 16:13

And they're off!

Charles Reynolds14 March 2017 16:13

Pass the Time leading things out at the moment. Apple's Jade the best placed of the three favourites.

Charles Reynolds14 March 2017 16:14

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