The biggest names in racing will once again take to the famous Cheltenham racecourse next week, as the four-day festival returns for another year.
The 2022 meeting is a special one for the sport's fans, as it sees spectators return for the first time in two years, after the 2021 event was forced to take place behind closed doors due to the COVID pandemic.
With restrictions now a thing of the past, thousands of racegoers will be back, descending on the Gloucestershire town for the huge week in the racing calendar.
As well as the punters, some of the wealthiest owners will also be making the trip to the course, all hoping to come away with one of the fixture's coveted prizes.
Ahead of the festival opener on Tuesday, Mirror Sport has taken a look at some of those hoping to add to their eye-watering wealth in Gloucestershire this week.
JP McManus
Best chances of the week: Jonbon ( Supreme Novices' Hurdle), Prengarde (Cross Country Chase), Dinoblue (Mares’ Novice Hurdle), Champ (Stayers’ Hurdle)
We start with Cheltenham Festival ’s most successful owner in JP McManus.
After announcing himself as a staple for success in recent years, the Irishman will no doubt be out for more in 2022.
McManus’ record purchase Jonbon - who set him back a cool £570,000 - will be out for the festival opener on Tuesday, but finds himself in a strong field that could contain the likes of Constitution Hill, Sir Gerhard and Dysart Dynamo.
One of the Irishman’s most prized possessions in Champ will have a real chance in the Stayers’, whilst Dinoblue who runs in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle comes in at one of his most favoured entries at 5-2.
Michael O’Leary
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Best chances of the week: Tiger Roll (Cross Country Chase), Conflated (Ryanair Chase/Cheltenham Gold Cup)
RyanAir owner Michael O’Leary is another Irishman who has enjoyed great success at the Festival down the years, and he has one the event’s fan favourites in Tiger Roll running this week.
The two-time Grand National winner will not be entered into the famous Aintree meet this year, and is instead concentrating on Wednesday’s Cross Country Chase as he returns as defending champion.
The 12-year-old heads into the race as 6-4 favourite, and it will be no surprise to see O’Leary’s runner go back-to-back at the festival this week.
Another one of the Irishman’s prize possessions, Conflated has also made the trip to Gloucestershire, however it remains undecided on whether he will run in the RyanAir Chase or Friday’s Gold Cup.
Tony Bloom
Best chances this week: Energumene (Champion Chase)
As well as owning Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion, Tony Bloom is also known for being one of racing’s wealthiest owners.
Bloom’s best bet at Cheltenham this week looks to be eight-year-old Energumene. However, the Mullins-trained runner faces a tough test against one of the festival favourites Shishkin in the Champion Chase.
The pair battled out a remarkable race at Ascot in January, with Shishkin just pipping the Bloom-owned runner late on.
It was reported that the Brighton owner had placed a huge bet on him to win that day.
Joe and Marie Donnelly
Best chances this week: Shishkin (Champion Chase), Haut En Couleurs (Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase), Al Boum Photo (Cheltenham Gold Cup)
Bloom and Energumene’s rival Shishkin is owned by multi-millionaire couple Joe and Marie Donnelly, and the eight-year-old is no doubt their headline act at this year’s festival.
The two-time Cheltenham winning horse is one of the stars of this year’s show, and is well backed to make it three from three when he takes to the track on Wednesday.
Another returning win for the Donnellys is Al Boum Photo, who returns to the prized Gold Cup to win back the crown he won back-to-back in 2019 and 2020.
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