The opening day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival will kickstart four days of world-class racing at 15h20 today, with no fewer than four Grade One contests on the card.
The feature race is the Unibet Champion Hurdle over two miles, the first of five ‘Championship’ races at The Festival™.
The yellow and gold colours of legendary owner JP McManus are synonymous with this race and he’s won each of the last four renewals, including with the mare Epatante last year.
She’ll be back to defend her crown, while the 2017 and 2018 hero Buveur D’Air is back in business after more than 400 days away from the track.
The supporting card is a stellar one, with the curtain being raised by the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
The ‘Cheltenham Roar’ may not be the same in 2021, but this race regularly produces a future star, as does the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy.
Also on the bill is the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, a race with a knack for producing late drama like no other, while each of the Ultima Handicap Chase, the National Hunt Chase and the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle are all hugely competitive and intriguing affairs.
The Finishing Line, sponsored by Hollywoodbets, has 4 Podcasts up for Cheltenham and will be doing shows throughout this week.
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