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.

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'.

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.

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charge was set to clash with main market rival Defi Du Seuil in Wednesday's two-mile Grade One feature, but has been withdrawn with a vets certificate.

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. 

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.

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.

The horse emerged triumphant at the 4.50pm race, well ahead of Dolcita and 100-1 shot Rayna's World in second and third respectively.

The Champions League and Europa League could be suspended as UEFA consider action to combat the spread of coronavirus after domestic football in Italy and Spain was shut.

Glamorous women turned heads in vibrant colours and standout coats as they arrived at Cheltenham Racecourse this morning.

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. 

An estimated 70,000 racegoers are expected to flock to Cheltenham Racecourse (pictured) as PM Boris Johnson continues to refuse banning mass gatherings to combat coroanvirus.

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

The festival has gone ahead despite fears of the deadly virus which has decimated this weekend's Premier League football and international rugby fixtures.

Monkfish was victorious in the Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham after squeezing through on the line in a thrilling race. Latest Exhibition and Fury Road took second and third spot.

If anyone doubted whether Paul Townend had the ability and the nerve to take over from the most successful jockey in Cheltenham Festival history, they know now.

For 30 years Steve Packham has been dreaming of owning a winning horse at Cheltenham, only for the reality to be snatched away from him in a couple of seconds.

Racing in England will continue as normal despite most other sports closing down because of the coronavirus risk. The only limit in Scotland with meetings behind closed doors.

Autumn, 41, and Peter Phillips, 44, appeared to be on good terms as they enjoyed the final day of the Cheltenham Festival together - despite announcing their split last month.

Arriving ahead of the Gold Cup today with his wife Zara Phillips, the Queen's eldest granddaughter, Tindall said: 'Do I feel that cancelling everything is going to solve it? I'm not entirely sure.'

The 28-year-old looked sensational when she stepped out on Saturday night for a date night with her beau who is back in London.

On Tuesday, just days after the Cheltenham Festival had reached a conclusion, it was announced there will be no more racing in Britain until at least the beginning of May.

The Little Mix star, 28, took to Instagram on Wednesday night to admit that she doesn't have abs and that her taut torso is created by 'breathing in'.

The 30-year-old is self-isolating at home and has had no contact with his family since Saturday evening, when he started suffering from coronavirus-like symptoms.

SPORTS AGENDA: It would appear to have been a week of cock-ups by sporting authorities. UEFA sent out a tweet announcing that it would still be 'Euro 2020' next year, before backtracking. 

Trainer Nicky Henderson is formulating a plan to send Champ back to jumping school with former trainer Henrietta Knight ahead of a potential shot at the biggest jumps prizes next season.

Racing Post will temporarily stop publication of their daily newspaper for the first time since its inception in 1986 due to impact on the sport from the deadly coronavirus pandemic.  

The Made In Chelsea star, 25, explained that her dog can't walk on the floor as he's not had his second lot of vet jabs due to the UK coronavirus lockdown.

The racing event came under criticism at the time for allowing thousands of racegoers to huddle together, risking a spread of the virus. Over 250,000 people attended the Cheltenham Festival.

Andrew Parker Bowles has revealed he has coronavirus and believes he contracted it at the Cheltenham Festival (pictured, the Duchess of Cornwall's ex-husband with Princess Anne).

The world-famous Cheltenham racing festival in Gloucestershire went ahead last month despite fears over the spread of the virus which was then in its early stages in Britain.

Cheltenham Festival organisers have defended their decision to go ahead with the meeting after fears were raised that the mass gathering of people helped spread the coronavirus

Cheltenham Festival went ahead two weeks before the lockdown, but there was a debate at the time if it should be scrapped after other sporting events were called off.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 25, looked summery as she soaked up the spring sunshine in a white cropped crochet cardigan.

IAN HERBERT: Looking back now, those last few innocent days in the Cotswolds seem extraordinary - faintly comical you might even say, were it not for the gravity of all that followed.

Retired champion jockey Sir AP McCoy said horse racing had followed UK government advice to go ahead last month with the Cheltenham Festival that saw 250,000 people gather over four days.

David Hunter, professor of population health at Oxford, condemned the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' attitude among ministers, while scientists have repeatedly pressed the 'panic button'.