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Cheltenham Festival - all the week's action

Jump racing's biggest show of the year Cheltenham Festival has started with more than 230,000 punters expected at the Gloucestershire track in four days.

Around 400 horses are expected to race during the week, with about £250 million wagered on them.

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Final Day at Cheltenham

Racegoers at Cheltenham Credit: PA: Mike Egerton

70,000 racegoers are expected at Prestbury Park for today's big race, the Gold Cup (15:20 GMT).

Somerset trainer Paul Nicholls is hoping for his fifth win with Silviniaco Conti who is favourite.

£150million has already been bet over the four day festival.

Amateur jockey airlifted to hospital

Amateur jockey Tom Weston has been airlifted to Southmead Hospital after his horse fell at Cheltenham Credit: PA

Experienced amateur jockey Tom Weston has been airlifted to Southmead Hospital with injuries after his horse, Benbane Head, fell at the 14th fence in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase.

He was attended on the course by doctors and medical personnel and then taken to Cheltenham Racecourse's medical centre before being airlifted to hospital - he was breathing and conscious at the time.

Benbane Head ridden by Matt O'Connor going to post for the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase during Cheltenham Festival 2012 Credit: PA

John Inverdale apologises for his Cheltenham gaff

Credit: Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport

Sports presenter John Inverdale has apologised after an on-air slip up which saw him say the c-word.

During an interview with former jockey John Francome and current rider Lizzie Kelly, Inverdale made the unfortunate gaffe while reflecting on racing days gone by.

He said the phrase 'rose-c***ed glasses', before quickly apologising.

A BBC spokesman said: “It was a slip of the tongue and John apologised immediately afterwards.”

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Ladies Day at Cheltenham Festival

Duchess of Cornwall will attend the second day of The Festival at Cheltenham Credit: PA: Anwar Hussein

The Duchess of Cornwall will be at Cheltenham races today.

Her Royal Highness will present the trophy to the winning owner, jockey and trainer of the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, the feature race of Ladies day.

I am delighted that The Duchess of Cornwall will again be attending this year's Festival on Ladies Day.

Last year, she presented the prize to the Preston family whose horse, Sire De Grugy, won the race. Sire De Grugy was trained by Gary Moore and ridden by his son Jamie.

The scenes in the Winner's Enclosure after Sire De Grugy won the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase were some of the best of the week and this year's race is shaping up to be as competitive as ever.

– Robert Waley-Cohen, Chairman of Cheltenham Racecourse

Record first day at Cheltenham

Racegoers at Cheltenham Credit: PA: Mike Egerton

Thousands of people have turned out for the for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

63,249 racegoers attended making it a record year; the previous highest opening day crowd was 61,132 in 2002.

We are delighted that so many racegoers wanted to be here and they have been rewarded with fantastic racing and wonderful weather.

– Ian Renton, Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses South West

Meanwhile local police teams have praised visitors to the annual event.

With the thousands of people at the racecourse today the engagement between the police and the public has been very positive.

We’ve had one reported incidence of the theft of cash from one of the desks in the Centaur.

There have been a number of car parking issues and a car overheating but we’ve worked with Racecourse staff and other Emergency Services to solve these problems as quickly and efficiently as possible.

– Superintendent Emma Ackland,Gloucestershire Constabulary
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