For years the hardest place in the world to tip a winner was Cheltenham. For years the hardest place in the world to back a winner was Cheltenham.

We’re delighted with the way Djakadam has been working recently, and think he is in great order, writes Ruby Walsh.

Hotpot needs to be tested to prove his greatness.

Extending Cheltenham to four days has seriously diluted what’s on offer and it is very much illustrated by this afternoon’s Racing Post Arkle Trophy.

From Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power to Arc heroine Found, it’s been a 12 months of evocative moments and unforgettable memories, both in National Hunt and on the Flat. Here are 16 of the best from 2016 from Darren Norris.

Willie Mullins emulated his father by training a mare to win the Stan James Champion Hurdle as Annie Power blew her rivals away in style at Cheltenham, setting a new course record in the process.

Annie Power still appears likely to be added to the Stan James Champion Hurdle field at the supplementary stage on Wednesday as owner Rich Ricci agonises over potential scenarios.

Annie Power bids to follow in the hallowed hoofprints of record-breaking former stablemate Quevega when she makes a belated return to action in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

If Sam Twiston-Davies isn’t a star of the future then I’ll eat my hat. Following the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday he was inconsolable, but the young man had little about which to beat himself up.

Someone once defined a pessimist as an informed optimist, and here’s a scribbler who can readily identify with such a description on the lead-in to Cheltenham.

Quevega remains on course to bid for a historic sixth consecutive victory in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham after starring among 24 entries for the Grade Two contest.

Willie Mullins reported a clean bill of health for all his Cheltenham runners at a media day yesterday although, as expected, there was no great light shed on potential targets for many of his prospects that have a number of potential engagements at present.

Silviniaco Conti is virtually certain to go straight for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup following his victory in the William Hill King George VI Chase.

It was particularly interesting to note just how much goodwill there was towards John Oxx after his My Titania had won a Group 3 at the Curragh last Sunday.

What a wizard this Michael Winters is! A year ago he produced Rebel Fitz to land the Guinness Galway Hurdle and returned to Ballybrit yesterday to win the race again, this time with the cracking mare Missunited.

Luck went with the Irish on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival as even the weather could not spoil the racing.

Quevega will defend her crown in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, trainer Willie Mullins told race sponsors OLBG.

THE progressive Roe Deer, a son of the great Vinnie Roe, gets the nap in the Dundalk Stadium On Facebook Maiden on the all-weather tonight.

Ruby Walsh gets his challenge to be named top festival jockey at Cheltenham for a fifth successive time underway today on board Prospect Wells in the William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

PRUNELLA DOBBS has had no luck at the Cheltenham Festival – but that has not deterred her from having another go.

A year ago Ireland won a record 13 of the 27 races at the Cheltenham festival.

RUBY WALSH pulled rank on his baby sister, Katie, at Punchestown last night when brilliant mare Quevega beat Mourad in the Grade 1 ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle.

WE may have seen a couple of future stars in action at Limerick yesterday in the Happy Mother’s Day Novice Hurdle.

WILLIE MULLINS insists his brilliant mare Quevega is likely to compete against her own sex once again at Cheltenham next year after completing a hat-trick in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle last week.

BIG BUCK’S once again lived up to his name when raking in the cash for punters with a third successive win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

The stomach is churning now and I can’t wait for the second race today, when my own involvement in Cheltenham begins in earnest with Oscars Well in the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle.

HERE’S a tip for Cheltenham — don’t bet. But, of course, such words of wisdom will be completely lost in the festival air — though there is the possibility they might be fleetingly recalled after the last race has been run next Friday.

WILLIE Mullins is thrilled with the condition of his Cheltenham Festival team after a large number enjoyed a schooling session at Naas on Tuesday.

RUBY WALSH believes Cooldine has to markedly improve to trouble Kauto Star in next year’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

GRANGECLARE Lark, a leading contender for the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, has been retired.