Though Minella Rocco may not be the force of old, he has demonstrated with wins at Warwick and most recently at Wetherby he has the potential for one more big effort at Cheltenham.

The Nicky Henderson-trained 10-year-old, who is chasing his fifth Festival win, was among the 11 runners left in the £400,000 race at the penultimate declaration.

SAM TURNER (Robin Goodfellow) continues his analysis of next week's meeting with a look at the big-race contenders and trends for day two.

SAM TURNER (Robin Goodfellow) continues his look at the big race trends and contenders at next week's meeting with a looks at the contenders for day three.

We are less than a week away from the start of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. In the final part of his preview, SAM TURNER takes a look at the big-race trends and contenders for day four.  

EXCLUSIVE BY MARCUS TOWNEND: Jonjo O'Neill Jnr says he wants to win more races than his father, who rode 901 winners during his career between 1969 and 1987.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: Sports events could be restricted to crowds of just 500 people if the coronavirus outbreak continues to escalate, under new emergency plans.

This week will be big for Paul Townend. But whatever is thrown at him, the new No1 jockey for trainer Willie Mullins is confident he will take it in his stride.

Dual winner Altior's run in Wednesday's Queen Mother Champion Chase is in doubt after he was lame on Sunday morning. Trainer Nicky Henderson said he will do all he can to get Altior to the race.

INTERVIEW BY MARCUS TOWNEND: The days when Knight had winners at the Cheltenham Festival are history but that doesn't mean she won't have a huge influence on the biggest jumps meeting

The latest case of coronavirus, the third in Gloucestershire, was diagnosed over the weekend and then announced hours before the start of the four-day fixture Festival.

As the coronavirus epidemic continues to take its toll around the world, more and more sporting events are either in doubt, postponed or cancelled altogether as a result.

Ruby Walsh is content. Happy he is going to the Cheltenham Festival and comfortable his contribution will be only from behind a microphone.

The Love Island star, 27, has revealed he's been rushed to A&E with suspected kidney stones ahead of his upcoming hosting stint with ITV at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: ITV are in danger of losing the live rights to televise horse racing as the broadcaster are refusing to guarantee will be shown on their main channel.

Horse racing fans from across the UK will have their eyes on the Cheltenham Festival as the hotly-anticipated four-day meet kicks off today. Here, some of the famous faces you might see.

Rachael Blackmore concedes she sometimes takes a step back to reflect on the progress of her career and asks herself: 'Is this really happening?'

Racing experts Robin Goodfellow, Peter Scudamore, Jane Mangan and Ken Pitterson share their top tips for day one of the Cheltenham Festival featuring the Champion Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson announced on Sunday morning the brilliant two-miler was lame, after a dormant splint that had never caused a problem to the 10-year-old previously 'reared its ugly head'.

We have our first winner at this year's Cheltenham Festival following the conclusion of the curtain-raiser in the shape of the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

The maths whizz made sure her wardrobe added up by tastefully teaming a skintight black jumpsuit with a camel coat on day one of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.

Prolific mare Put The Kettle On showed the boys the way home in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy.

Zara Tindall, 38, posed for photos with close friend Dolly Maude as she made her way inside Cheltenham Racecourse for the start of the four-day meet.

Peter and Autumn Phillips, who announced their split last month, appeared sombre as they arrived for the start of the four-day meet at Cheltenham Racecourse today.

Imperial Aura saw off a good challenge from Galvin to win the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase.

Honeysuckle got the better of Benie Des Dieux in an titanic tussle for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham. The horse ridden by Rachel Blackmore won by half a length to the favourite.

The wait is over. The 2020 Cheltenham Festival has arrived and what a four days we have in store. Follow all the live action from the Gloucestershire track with Sportsmail's KATE McGREAVY.

Ravenhill held off the challenge of Lord Du Mesnil in the final straight to win National Hunt Challenge Cup on Day One of the Cheltenham Festival.

Racegoers pulled out all the sartorial stops as they arrived at Cheltenham race course in Gloucestershire today for the first day of the annual festival.

The reality star, 30, oozed sophistication in the look which she teamed with a matching pearl-studded fascinator as she arrived for the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.

The biggest cheer on the opening day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival was reserved for Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle after they won the Grade One Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle.

It's hard to believe anyone appreciated their Festival success more than jockey Brendan Powell on Tuesday.

Up to 70,000 spectators (pictured, packed stands today) are expected to attend the first day of the annual horse racing festival with fans travelling from across Britain to the Gloucestershire course.

The TOWIE star was the every inch the sophisticated lady when she arrived for the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday alongside pal Vas J Morgan

Racemail tipsters made a superb start with three winners including Epatante in the Champion Hurdle. Robin Goodfellow, Peter Scudamore, Ken Pitterson and Jane Mangan share their tips for day two. 

The Good Morning Britain host today warned the UK was 'at war' with COVID-19 and slammed MPs for failing to take effective measures to stop the disease spreading.

He's newly single following his split with PR girl Emily Hallinan in February.

Willie Mullins' charge was set to clash with main market rival Defi Du Seuil in Wednesday's two-mile Grade One feature, but has been withdrawn with a vets certificate.

Dame De Compagnie, ridden by Barry Geraghty, has won the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Champ's breathtaking finish to win the RSA Novice's Chase at Cheltenham left social media dumbfounded after the horse emerged from third 25 yards from the finish to take the win. 

Envoi Allen maintained his unbeaten career record with victory in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The second day of the Cheltenham Festival - Ladies Day - is set to be another thrilling one with Tiger Roll trying to secure a fifth win at the course. Follow all the live action with Sportsmail right here.

Aramax saw off a stern challenge from Night Edition to win the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on day two.

Willie Mullins got off the mark for the week at the Cheltenham Festival when Ferny Hollow downed better-fancied stablemate Appreciate It in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Cheltenham Festival revellers turned the racecourse into a dancefloor and enjoyed an impromptu party as Ladies' Day came to an end this evening.

Jane Mangan and Formcast (Nigel Taylor) continued their brilliant start to Cheltenham with a host of big-race winners on day two. Our racing experts share their tips for day three.

Champ emerged from nowhere with 25 yards left in the race to win the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase on day two of Cheltenham Festival.

The Irish DJ and reality star, 34, attended Cheltenham Festival's Ladies Day alongside Good Morning Britain's Charlotte, 44, on Wednesday morning.

Wrapping up warm from the British spring, the Queen's eldest granddaughter, 38, wore a houndstooth, knee-length coat dress, which she paired with maroon accessories.

The pair flashed past the line almost inseparable, but Samcro rallied when he had to and won by barely a whisker - officially a nose - with admirable veteran Faugheen just a length behind in third.