One of the biggest events in horse racing is finally here as Cheltenham Festival 's first day draws to a close.
But it's only just begun with many more thrills and spills expected over the next three days.
After that it will be all about the Grand National at Aintree but Cheltenham is only just heating up.
Our man Garry Owen has picked out his bets and selections for Day Two right here.
L'HOMME PRESSE ( 2:10 ) looks red-hot in the Brown Advisory Chase on Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival.
Venetia Williams’ charge has barely put a foot wrong during his amazing first season over fences.
The gelding opened his account by routing solid yardstick Gunsight Ridge at Exeter in December.
However, he really hit the headlines when hammering Legends Ryde up in class at Ascot next time.
That romp earned the seven-year-old a tilt at the Grade 2 Dipper Novices’ Chase over track and trip.
And he totally justified that promotion with a commanding defeat of class act The Glancing Queen .
Williams then took aim at the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown with the son of Diamond Boy .
The superstar delivered the goods again with a devastating 21-length demolition of Mister Coffey .
The chaser was staying-on powerfully over a stiff 2m 4f so he can destroy a top-class field up in trip.
JOURNEY WITH ME ( 1:30 ) can slay warm favourite Sir Gerhard in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.
The winning pointer was well-supported on debut for Henry De Bromhead in a Gowran bumper.
And the six-year-old did not disappoint his backers with a hugely impressive defeat of Galudon .
A switch to timber saw the gelding slam the talented Minella Crooner on debut at Leopardstown.
The son of Mahler stayed firmly on the upgrade with a decisive defeat of Choice Of Words at Naas.
The hurdler looks every inch a Grade 1-performer so he can power home under Rachael Blackmore.
SAINT FELICIEN ( 2:50 ) can be simply divine for Gordon Elliott in the ever-competitive Coral Cup.
The hurdler was bought by Robcour supremo Brian Acheson after hosing up at Auteuil last year.
He began to repay his connections when brushing aside Slip Of The Tongue on debut at Gowran.
The five-year-old ran another stormer when chasing home Darasso in Grade 3 company at Naas.
This big prize has clearly been the plan ever since so he can go one better under Robbie Power.
The Meath Maestro can also bag the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase with DELTA WORK ( 4:10 ).
The gelding is a fascinating contender having struck twice at Grade 1 level as a novice in 2019.
He added that year’s Savills Chase at Leopardstown to his tally with a game defeat of Monalee .
The nine-year-old then cosily dismissed Kemboy in the Irish Gold Cup back at the Foxrock venue.
The son of Network has struggled to match that terrific level of form over the last few seasons.
However, he has schooled well over these unique fences so he can upstage stablemate Tiger Roll .
Elliott can make it three with AMERICAN MIKE ( 5:30 ) in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
The five-year-old oozed promise when bolting up from High Class Hero in a strong Cork point.
The gelding built on that effort when blitzing Royal Romeo on his Rules debut at Down Royal.
However, he really excelled himself when downing Battling Bessie in Listed company at Navan.
There is plenty more to come from this pacey type who can see off market rival Facile Vega .
SHISHKIN ( 3:30 ) can cement his superstar status by landing the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Nicky Henderson’s horse was utterly merciless when winning last year’s Arkle over track and trip.
The gelding then added another Grade 1 to his CV when slamming Funambule Sivola at Aintree.
Wind surgery and an early setback meant that he was not seen again until Kempton in December.
However, the eight-year-old showed no ill effects as he hacked up from the classy Greaneteen .
That put him on a collision course with Irish star Energumene in the Clarence House at Ascot.
The chaser wasn’t at his brilliant best but he knuckled down well to deny his opponent by a length.
The son of Sholokhov will now be at peak fitness so he can dish out a heavier beating to his old foe.
BEFORE MIDNIGHT ( 4:50 ) can cap Sam Thomas’s superb season by taking the Grand Annual Chase.
The gelding recorded a career best over fences when chinning Court Royale at Chepstow in April.
The nine-year-old improved again when thrashing Sky Pirate on his return over course and distance.
He then showed both class and guts to fend off Amoola Gold in another competitive event at Ascot.
The son of Midnight Legend then understandably found tackling Shishkin too difficult at Kempton.
However, he hit back when giving the talented Funambule Sivola most resistance at Doncaster.
The bold front-runner looks open to plenty of progress so he can make light of a career high mark.
PALLAS DANCER ( 5:45 ) can put his best foot forward for Brian Ellison on the Flat at Newcastle.
The five-year-old looked as good as ever when narrowly beaten by Wise Eagle over 1m 4f here.
The gelding is just as effective over 1m 2f so he can go one better in another trappy handicap.
The All-Weather Mile Handicap is even trickier but I’m on James Ferguson’s DIDEROT ( 6:15 ).
The four-year-old was an excellent second to My Oberon in conditions company at Southwell.
That is smashing form so this likeable gelding can resume the winning thread dropped in class.
PROCLAIMER ( 7:00 ) can call the tune for Julie Camacho in the Unibet Handicap at Kempton.
The five-year-old returned with a gritty defeat of Baldomero over this course and distance.
That race is working out pretty well so this consistent type can shrug off a lenient 3lb penalty.
JUST IN TIME ( 8:00 ) can continue Alan King’s ongoing revival in a competitive two-miler.
