The entire jumps calendar revolves around, and is geared towards, the Cheltenham Festival when, for four days in March, the best horses from Britain and Ireland bid to become champions of their individual disciplines. The festival features 26 races in total, 12 of which are Grade 1s.
Hurricane Fly: will he join the list of multiple Champion Hurdle winners?
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)The Champion Hurdle is the feature race on Tuesday, with the best 2m hurdlers competing in the race, which is usually run at a break-neck gallop. Hurricane Fly won the race last year and is favourite to retain his crown this year.
The day starts with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle - run over the same course and distance as the Champion Hurdle - which is the traditional 'curtain raiser' to the four-day extravaganza. The start of the Supreme ismet with the 'Cheltenham roar' as the crowd celebrates the start of the festival following months of anticipation.
A race for the stars of the future, the Supreme has an impressive role of honour. Day one hosts a third Grade 1 with the Arkle for the top 2m novice chasers.
Sizing Europe: biddingfor back-to-back Champion Chase wins
PICTURE: GettyWednesday (Ladies' Day) hosts four Grade 1s, with the National Hunt Chase for amateur riders getting the day off to an often exciting start. The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the feature race and one of the most exciting of the festival, as the best 2m chasers fly down the hill before fighting it out up the famous home straight, with Sizing Europe coming out on top in 2011.
The other Grade 1s on the card include the Neptune Investments Novices' Hurdle over 2m5f, the RSA Chase - a 3m½f race for future Gold Cup horses - and the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, which is a 2m½f Flat race .
Big Bucks: could he land a fourth World Hurdle?
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)The World Hurdle, dominated for the last three years by Big Buck's, is the feature race on Thursday (St Patrick's Day). The 3m hurdle race has thrown up some classy horses in recent years, with multiple winners Baracouda, Inglis Drever and now Big Buck's thrilling racegoers with emphatic performances.
The Ryanair Chase, recently awarded Grade 1 status, supplements the World Hurdle and proves a fascinating melting pot for those that don't quite have the speed for a Champion Chase or the stamina for the Gold Cup.
Long Run: 2011 Gold Cup hero
PICTURE: Getty ImagesThe highlight of Friday (Gold Cup day), and indeed of all four days, is the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 3m2½f contest is the most prestigious prize in jump racing.
Long Run beat Denman and Kauto Star in a thriller last year, but has suffered two defeats this season.
Those have been at the hands of a rejuvenated Kauto Star, who bids for his third Gold Cup win.
The Triumph Hurdle, for four-year-olds, starts the day while the 3m Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle is the other Grade 1 on the card.
Ruby Walsh has been top jockey at the festival for six of the last eight years and, with both Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins - the British and Irish champion trainers - supplying him with rides, his dominance looks set to continue.
Quel Esprit wins an eighth Hennessy for Mullins and gets a 16-1 quote for the Gold Cup
Sizing Europe tightens his grip as Champion Chase favourite with an emphatic win
Boston Bob caps a fine day for the Mullins and Walsh partnership at Leopardstown
