All eyes on Back to Front and €10,000 bet by Irish punter

WITH talk of war grabbing the headlines worldwide, more than 7,000 Irish troops are overseas this morning for a very different type of engagement.

The battle-hardy are ready for action in Nam Cheltenham that is as the unique three-day racing festival gets underway today.

And as the racing faithful drag themselves out of bed in hotels and B&Bs across Cheltenham after the first of several nights of revelry, one punter on home turf faces an anxious opening to the festival.