Lunchtime starts with cold air, soft ground, heavy coats, woolly hats, gloves, atmosphere and big-name horses.

Ruby Walsh runs the rule over the racing hot topics.

To have the day this title bills it to be, you need the best racehorses.

The British fixture list needs axing to regenerate itself to what it once was.

The scene is set for some tremendous action but to enjoy all of it will take planning and a detailed schedule.

Ciel De Neige is another leading contender after an eye-catching run in the Galway Plate last time out.

Changing the name doesn’t iron out the flaws of this weekend. Two venues and, for a sport so many tell me is international, there are no non-European runners

The sport needs equine stars people want to go and see, but for them to become famous enough for people to want to have tried to watch them live, they need to race at four

It won't be straightforward for him because Willie Mullins, Emmet Mullins, Gordon Elliott, J P McManus and Gavin Cromwell also have  leading contenders for   this lucrative prize.

Authorised Art and Visionarian are also capable of playing a part