Jockey Robbie Power made all the running on the Colin Tizzard-trained gelding to draw eight lengths clear of runner-up Ribble Valley. Master Debonair has shown improved form.

Envoi Allen has been cut to 5-4 favourite for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after extending his unbeaten record to seven races.

The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old had to dig deep under jockey Mark Walsh to peg back free-running second-placed Captain Guiness but came through to win by three-quarters of a length.

Thyme Hill completed his hat-trick in the Grade One Challow Novices' Hurdle late last month and is set to head straight to the showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds.

Brian Hughes continued to build what he hopes will be an unassailable lead in the jump jockeys title race as a 49-1 treble at Carlisle took him 13 winners clear (124-111) of champion Richard Johnson.

Henderson committed Shishkin to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on the opening day of next month's Cheltenham Festival after he brushed aside proven performers on Thursday.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has admitted his preference would be to direct in-form Cyrname straight to the Grade One Melling Chase at Aintree's Grand National meeting in April.

The chances of Tiger Roll attempting to win an historic third consecutive Randox Health Grand National at Aintree in April continued to hang in the balance on Tuesday night.

Trainer Gordon Elliott says he expects Tiger Roll to race on next season despite many believing his bid for a third win in the Randox Health Grand National on April 4 would be his swansong.

Those withdrawn included Tiger Roll's Cheltenham Gold Cup-bound stablemate Delta Work, Chris's Dream, Missed Approach, the injured Native River and Noble Endeavor.

Joe Tizzard is confident forgotten horse Lostintranslation can sneak in under the radar and bounce back to his best in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday week.

Relegate will bid to earn both herself and trainer Colm Murphy a return to the Cheltenham Festival winner's enclosure when she lines up for the Pertemps Final next week.

In the first of a look at the big races, SAM TURNER (Robin Goodfellow) starts by looking at some race trends for races on day one and highlights some of the main contenders.

Henry De Bromhead-trained Honeysuckle had been as short as 4-1 to add the Champion Hurdle to her success in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.

Trainer Willie Mullins opted to add the eight-year-old to the field after Cilaos Emery landed with an easy victory in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran last month.

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.

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.

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

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?'

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

The 2-1 shot, ridden by Paul Townsend, held off the challenge of Saint Calvados to secure the victory, with A Plus Tard rounding off the top three.

Simply The Betts proved that it's simply the best on Thursday with victory in the Stable Plate at Cheltenham Festival. 

The third day of the Cheltenham Festival - St Patrick's Day - is set to be another thrilling one with the mighty Paisley Park in the feature race. Follow the action as it happens right here with Sportsmail.

Milan Native claimed a length-and-three-quarter success in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase to provide Elliott with a treble on the day.

The backing track as Paisley Park faded out of contention in the Stayers' Hurdle was the 'Sound of Silence' in the packed grandstands, but the seven-strong Racing For Fun syndicate didn't care. 

The actress, 45, looked effortlessly chic in a cream coat and pink headband as she cosied up to her banker beau at the races on Thursday, amid rumours they've secretly got engaged.

The TV presenter, 44, oozed glamour as she attended day four of the Cheltenham Festival alongside Victoria Pendleton on Friday.

The Smile singer, 34, looked effortlessly chic in a long tartan trench coat and a pair of black trousers.