Cheltenham going on slow side

Cheltenham is expected to ride on the slow side of good for the opening day of the National Hunt Festival.

The going is officially described as good this morning at Prestbury Park but clerk of the course Simon Claisse told attheraces: "I think it will be on the slow side, the jockeys have been saying it hasn't got a lot of life in it but that's about where we wanted it to be really.

"We may get a little shower later in the afternoon but it's meant to stay pretty warm throughout the week.

"Not a lot (of rain) is expected. Hopefully tonight we'll get just enough to stop things drying out too quickly."

Rooster Booster will attempt to win the Smurfit Champion Hurdle for the second year running in the big race this afternoon.