It's here!
In less than an hour, the 2019 Cheltenham Festival gets underway with the Supreme Novices Hurdle - and we're on it and every other race today, and every day of action this week!
Follow all the action on our rolling blog below:
It's a wet and windy affair at Prestbury Park today as inclement weather batters the Gloucestershire racegoers.
The all-important going looks set to be soft after a rake of mud-spattered jockeys returned to the weighing room this morning claiming things were definitely cushy underfoot.
Today's big race will see Gordon Elliott's favourite Apple's Jade go head-to-head with hat-trick chasing Beuveur D'Air in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, with Cheltenham godfather Willie Mullins' star turn Laurina ready to pick up the pieces should the leading market principles get tore into each other.
Ruby Walsh will take the ride for Mullins on the six-year-old and the legendary partnership will be back together for the next race, as Benie Des Dieux looks to justify short price favouritism in the OLBG Mare's Hurdle.
The Ricci family owned mare has yet to run at all this season, but punters will be left delighted should the day's big favourite roll in.
Be sure to tune in to our blog for the last two races of the day - the Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase and the gruelling four mile National Hunt Challenge Cup for amateur riders. When the TV cameras turn off, our blog will still be rolling.
Check out our world renowned Balls.ie Tips Table right here, as well as the thoughts of our Cheltenham tipsters Aonghus Ó Maicín and Ian O'Rourke.
Now, sit back, relax if you can, turn your work Instant messaging service to mute, and enjoy every second of the best horse racing meet of the year with your friends at Balls.ie.
