Every race at the Cheltenham Festival is a big race, as every owner, trainer and jockey dreams of having a winner at the home of Jump racing.
However, here is our run down of the really massive races, the unmissable ones that are anticipated and talked about all year long and define the champions of the sport.
Also, see who we have tipped to shine on these biggest of stages this year.
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
2m 1/2f Hurdle
Tuesday 16th March
1:30pm
The opening race of the festival is always greeted by the famous 'Cheltenham Roar' as all the waiting, excitement and anticipation are finally over and 4 days of the world's best jump racing begins.
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle really kicks proceedings off in style as the top novices compete over a fast and furious 2m 1/2f to decide the Champion novice hurdler of the season.
Last year's Champion Bumper winner Dunguib looks to be holding all of the aces as he has built on his frighteningly impressive festival win last year by taking to hurdling like a duck to water and effortlessly sweeping away all comers.
Nicky Henderson may be the one to stop him as his promising sorts Bellvano and the unbeaten Oscar Whisky look top class, while Philip Hobb's Menorah looked a top prospect when beating Bellvano by 12 lengths last time out.
BHA Selection: Dunguib
Alternative: Oscar Whisky
Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase
2m Chase
Tuesday 16th March
2:05pm
The quality comes thick and fast on Day 1 as the second race of the day is the always eagerly anticipated and historic Arkle, which decides the Champion novice chaser over 2 miles.
It looks to be wide open contest this year with no outstanding favorite of note. Former Supreme Novice winner Captain Cee Bee heads the market despite his fall at the last when challenging Sizing Europe at Leapordstown on Boxing Day. Henry de Bromhead's Sizing Europe is another who is well fancied after 4 consecutive Chasing victories, but is by no means bombproof.
Miss Henrietta Knight's Somserby won over a lot of fans when comprehensively beating Crack Away Jack at Sandown, but there are question marks over that form and AP McCoy may not have the ride at the festival.
Paul Nicholl's Tataniano is the selection then after scoring comfortably in both his outings over fences so far, including an impressive 6 length victory over a class horse in Pigeon Island.
Another one to note though is actor James Nesbitt's 6 year old Riverside Theatre who is trained by Nicky Henderson and has not put a foot wrong in two chases so far this season, winning both by a combined total of 40 lengths
BHA Selection: Tataniano
Alternative: Riverside Theatre
Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
2m 1/2f Hurdle
Tuesday 16th March
3:20pm
The feature race of day one, the Champion Hurdle is one of the most prestigious and exciting races of the year as the Champion 2 mile hurdler is decided.
Usually attracting big fields and run at a demanding pace the Champion Hurdle is noted for providing exciting close finishes as the cream of hurdling charge up the famous hill cheered on by the enthusiastic crowd.
This year's edition looks to be one of the most exciting for many years as a vintage crop of hurdlers look set to take their chances.
Nicky Henderson's 5 year old Zaynar heads the market and is unbeaten over hurdles in 5 attempts, including a stunning victory in the Triumph Hurdle at the festival last year. He does look the one to beat but will need to adapt to the drop back in trip to two miles after racing over 2 1/2 this year.
Keen to overcome the favourite will be last year's Supreme Novices' hero Go Native who has impressed this season seeing off some of his Champion Hurdle rivals in both the WBX.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle and the Stan James Christmas Hurdle. Success in the Champion Hurdle will means he completes the WBX.com triple crown and pockets a cool £1m in bonus prize money for his owners!
Both behind Go Native in that Fighting Fifth hurdle but who are real contenders are Solwhit and last year's Champion Hurdle third Binocular- both are top class on their day and have been aimed to peak at the Festival.
Last year's Champion Hurdle victor Punjabi is also in the mix, as is Cheltenham specialist Khyber Kim. Another who impressed when being beaten by Go Native however was Starluck who was finishing strongly in the Christmas Hurdle and looks to have progressed and could trouble the field in what should be an outstanding and close race.
A further selection who could cause a great upset is the outstanding mare Voler la Vedette who is unbeaten this season, which includes a 13 length smashing of Go Native over the same trip in Ireland. She also holds an entry for the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle, but if they decide to take the Champion Hurdle route she could well become the first mare to claim the prize in many a year.
BHA Selection: Zaynar
Alternative: Voler la Vedette / Starluck if Voler la Vedette doesn't run
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