It’s make up your mind time for punters

Mark Twain once wrote that it is the difference of opinion that makes horse races and none generate as much conjecture and argument as the 27 that are run over four days here at Cheltenham every March.

When the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle kicks off at 1.30pm at Prestbury Park today, it will trigger a guttural roar of excitement borne of feverish anticipation and bring to an end months of speculation and scheming.

More than 200,000 people will funnel in and out of the racecourse situated on the edge of this Regency town in Gloucestershire between today and Friday and an average of £1m (€1.15m) will be risked with each and every firing of the starter’s gun.