Cheltenham Festival 2024 LIVE results: Horse racing updates, new card, odds, tips as race abandoned on Day 2

Cheltenham Festival latest news

They're off!

Away in the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle!

Ballyburn’s head is so low on the run up to the start, almost dragging along the ground.

He’s into 1-2 now, would be a huge upset if it’s anything other than a comfortable win.

Horses are in the paddock, about to make their way up towards the start line.

Seven horses, five of them are Mullins’. One of those is Ile Atlantique, who is owned by Brighton’s Tony Bloom.

13:45 - Gallagher Novices Hurdle

Tips: Ballyburn win, Handstands place

Willie Mullins trained Ballyburn won by 25 lengths at Leopardstown on December 29, and second place that day Cleatus Poolaw went on to win next time out.

On his last outing Ballyburn won a Grade 1 at Leopardstown on February 4 with ease beating previous Grade 2 winner Slade Steel.

That form makes him the clear choice for the win but with precious little return for the punters.

The only horse that could possibly oppose the incredibly impressive Mullins contingent and earn a valuable place is the five-year-old gelding Handstands, who won a listed race at Huntingdon last time on February 8 against handy opposition and he's reunited with jockey Harry Cobden who rode him to victory on that day.

Hard work at Cheltenham!

No rain today, going is soft, heavy in places... it’s still a bit of a slog!

Don’t expect that to change for the rest of the Festival either, with more rain expected over the next couple of days.

Latest odds: Gallagher Novices' Hurdle

Half an hour or so until we get up and running on Day 2.

Here’s a look at the latest odds for the opening race - all eyes on Ballyburn.

Action Images via Reuters

Prestbury Cup

It’s not really a contest, is it?

Ireland lead the Prestbury Cup 6-1 after the opening day of the Festival.

Dare say that lead will grow today. And tomorrow. And on Friday.

Mullins everywhere you look...

There are seven runners in today’s opening race, the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle.

Willie Mullins has five of them, including the three at the top of the market.

Jingko Blue runs for Nicky Henderson, but the yard are in no form at all, and so that leaves Handstands for Ben Pauling.

Going to have to be some run to deny Mullins!

Action Images via Reuters

Can he upset the odds?

If it’s not El Fabiolo in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, there’s every chance it’s Edwardstone taking victory in the feature race.

He’s ridden by Tom Cannon this afternoon, for trainer Alan King.

ICYMI: More problems for Henderson

Jonbon will not be running in the Queen Mother Champion Chase this afternoon, after Nicky Henderson withdrew a number of his horses.

Real problems for the yard at the worst possible time, with Constitution Hill ruled out of the Festival and Henderson’s horses struggling yesterday.

Since been confirmed that Shishkin will not run in the Gold Cup on Friday.