as the pinnacle of the racing calendar nears, the finishing touches at home and the last preparatory gallops are meticulous. Dreams of engraving your thoroughbred’s name in the Prestbury Park history books becomes reality or a mere fantasy within a heartbeat. £500,000,000 will be exchanged between punters and bookies through the four day spectacle. Twenty-seven races will take place, with fields no smaller than 12 horses going to the sword. Eight thousand individuals will make the trip over the Irish Sea to the Gloucestershire track (who are certainly responsible for a vast number of the 220,000 pints of Guinness that were drunk in the 2010 renewal). All roads lead to the Friday showpiece, the Gold Cup, where jockey, owner and trainer will aim to lift the prestigious trophy coated in 10 ounces of gold.

Each day represents a championship race. Two over hurdles, ideal for the fast, nimble, French-bred; and two over fences, perfect for the hardened Irish stallions. The Tuesday showpiece is the Champion Hurdle, run at a furious gallop over two miles. BBC Sports Personality of the Year A.P. McCoy will be bidding to make it back-to-back victories with his mount Binocular. His steed’s jumping can be compared to that of a jungle cat, fast and furious over his hurdles. Although he will be a tough nut to crack, the unbeaten Peddlers Cross steps up in grade andcould represent each-way value at 6-1.

Wednesday’s show-piece, The Queen Mother Champion chase, is a fast run two mile race over the bigger obstacles. This year’s renewal has become a titanic clash between England and Ireland, with Master Minded, Ruby Walsh’s chariot of fire, taking on Big Zeb. With the current sunshine and drying ground, the latter narrowly gets the nod, to make that long ferry journey over from County Wexford worthwhile.

The World Hurdle has been dominated in recent years by the Paul Nicholls-trained Big Bucks. This year he faces his toughest test to date, opposing the gallant grey Grand Crus. Only last year, a brave man had £35,000 on the rails at Cheltenham for Big Bucks to win at 11/10. After a nervous five minutes 49.40 seconds he walked away with £73,500. It would be a big surprise if Big Bucks didn’t make it three in three years on Thursday at 3:20.

The showpiece event of the week is without doubt the Gold Cup. The three-mile two-furlongs race requires a horse with speed, stamina and agility. The race is run in around six minutes, meaning the horses have to keep an average gallop of around 25mph. Considering each participant shoulders 11 stone 10lbs, this takes some performance. The mighty Kauto Star, two times winner of the race, takes on Denman and Imperial Commander, both also previous winners. However, this year a new champion could prevail, as the younger crop break through. Long Run, five years younger than his main three rivals, may have that youthful spring heeled step that can compensate for his inexperience.

The Cheltenham Festival never fails to live up to its reputation. You will rarely get a more passion fuelled, anticipated and celebrated event in the sporting calendar. Many divisions this year look stronger than ever. The Irish are bullish about their big team: a team that will make the 2 hour ferry journey over the Irish Sea. Dreams will be fulfilled and hopes will be shattered. Money will be won and pride will be squandered. May the best horses prosper. May the best jockeys win; Cheltenham.

Selections:
Day 1 – Peddlers Cross 6/1

Day 2 – Big Zeb 3/1

Day 3 – Big Bucks 11/10

Day 4 – Long Run 6/1