Ruby Walsh: After an emotional start, expect Irish raiders to start as they mean to go on

The Cheltenham Festival will get underway on Tuesday with a race renamed this year in honour of Micheal O’Sullivan.

Jockey Paul Townend with Kopek Des Bordes on the gallops at Cheltenham Racecourse on Monday. Picture: David Davies/PA

The roar that will greet the runners as they creep towards the starting tape in today's Festival opener will feel a bit different from the one in other years because this year's Supreme has been named in honour of Michael O’Sullivan.

The emotion, love and pride for a wonderful young man will roll off the greatest grandstand in the sport and pour out towards Cleeve Hill as the runners hurtle to the first hurdle. It will be fast, it will be frantic, and the race will create a story just like the 27 that will follow it between lunchtime today and teatime on Friday.