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Throughout the week, the course can expect to welcome over 200,000 racegoers from all over the world, with it believed that more than £500 million will be gambled on each of the four days and those lucky enough to be there will witness the greatest jump horses in the world go in search of a place in the record books.

Each of the four days revolves around a feature race and the action kicks off with the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the week.  The two-mile showpiece is as electric as the ‘Cheltenham roar’ which accompanies the first race of the day and ante post punters will be desperate to see whether or not 2011 Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly returns in the same form this season.  Unbeaten in a sensational campaign in Ireland, Hurricane Fly proved he is the best hurdler either side of the Irish Sea with a formidable display of slick jumping in the Champion Hurdle.

Wednesday’s action revolves around the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase which sees some of the greatest chasers on the planet battle it out in one of the most exciting contests of the week.  Dual Cheltenham Festival hero Sizing Europe could defend his title in the race, but there are bound to be plenty of rivals lining up to take on Henry de Bromhead’s stable star.

But while speed, accurate jumping and a touch of class are essential to win Wednesday’s feature, it’s all about grit, guts and determination on the Thursday when the best staying hurdlers in training battle it out in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.  With a list of winners that includes the likes of Big Buck’s and Inglis Drever, the World Hurdle is one of the most celebrated showdowns of the season.

However, it is very much a case of saving best until last at Prestbury Park and there is no greatest race than the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the ‘Blue Riband’ of British jump racing.  Some of the world’s most famous horses have become a part of Cheltenham’s prestigious history in the Gold Cup and from the likes of Best Mate to Kauto Star and from Desert Orchid to Denman; the list of greats to win the races continues to grow with every incredible Festival that takes place.