The 2011/12 National Hunt season explodes into life on Friday as Cheltenham stages the first day of their Open Meeting.
Every year the meeting it really is an event to savour and all the sport’s leading trainers and jockeys will be accompanying their horses to Cheltenham as they look to go to war at Prestbury Park.
The highlight of the three-day showpiece is without doubt Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup and after a field of twenty were declared for the race on Thursday, Paul Nicholls’ exciting five-year-old Mon Parrain remains at the head of the betting.
But there is also a thoroughly intriguing card on Friday and the day’s racing along with the vibrant atmosphere at the track really does kick the season off in style.
The most interesting race on Friday’s card comes in the last race of the day where Grand Crus and Cue Card clash in their first season over the larger obstacles. Cue Card was mightily impressive on his debut, but Grand Crus’ followers will be looking forward to seeing the superstar in action without the mighty Big Buck’s beating him home.
Friday’s Cheltenham race card
13:10 Irish Times Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase (4yo+, Class 3, 3m 110y, 15 runners)
13:45 paddypower.com On Mobile Handicap Chase (4yo+, Class 2, 2m, 17 runners)
14:20 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (5yo+, Class 2, 3m 7f, 8 runners)
14:55 Opus Energy Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Sharp Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2)(4yo+, Class 1, 2m 110y, 9 runners)
15:30 cheltenhamcollection.co.uk Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (4yo+, Class 3, 2m 5f, 24 runners)
16:05 Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase (4yo+, Class 2, 2m 4f 110y, 7 runners)
