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An early betting guide to Cheltenham Festival

Whether you're attending the Cheltenham Festival or watching from afar, you'll need the inside track on who to back as early as possible.

The Cheltenham Festival really is the first date on the racing calendar that sparks a frenzy into the betting community.

Over £600 million is spent on betting every year at Cheltenham Races alone and that's just one of the 28 races taking place over the course of the four day festival. Whether you're attending or watching from afar, you'll need the inside track on who to back as early as possible – job done.

Day 1 – Champion Day
The opening day of the Cheltenham Festival tends to bring some of the most spectacular races many will ever see; last year saw Altior claim the Supreme Novice's Hurdle from under the nose of the favoured Min and Annie Power rising from the ashes of her infamous 2015 fall to romp to victory in the Champion Hurdle.

The first race of the festival is of course the Supreme Novice's Hurdle and the current favourite is Moon Racer at 5/1. It's safe to say a lot of money will be put on Pipe's eight year old but over a dozen horses are considered to have a chance of prevailing in what should be a highly-competitive race.

The main event of the day will see Faugheen and last year's winner Annie Power go head to head in the Champion Hurdle, but don't be surprised to see Yanworth make a bid to upset the two favoured Willie Mullins runners.

Day 2 – Ladies Day
Probably the most popular day of the festival and without doubt the most glamourous.

Qualando ridden by Nick Scholfield clears the last fence on their way to victory in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle during Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 11, 2015© Getty Images

The odds-on favourite for the main event of the day is Douvan, but Altior will provide some value if he lines up alongside him. One to watch ahead of the festival is Fox Nation, who is currently rated at 8/1 and is capable of challenging for the win.

Day 3 – St. Patrick's Thursday
Easily the most difficult choice at Cheltenham: do you make a beeline for the bookies or the Guinness Village? The festival embraces all things Ireland by the Thursday and you'd be mad not to join in – not quite as mad as the Irish stereotypes would have you believe but somewhere close.

The Ryanair Chase will likely bring about the most business on Thursday with Cue Card - who will be looking to bounce back from his failure in last year's Gold Cup - currently fancied at 7/2, but Un De Sceaux could go off as favourite if punters decide to get behind the French-bred horse who is trained by Mullins.

Nico de Boinville riding Coneygree celebrate winning The Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup during Gold Cup day at the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham racecourse on March 13, 2015© Getty Images

Day 4 – Gold Cup Day
The climax of the Cheltenham Festival sees every trainer, breeder and jockey's eyes firmly fixed on the Gold Cup itself. Some of the greatest races in history have been seen on the Friday of Cheltenham Festival and 2017 looks to be no different.

The bookies are favouring Thistlecrack (10/11) at present but a lot can change before the race begins. Native River (5/1) - Thistlecrack's stablemate and a winner of the Welsh National - could mount a serious challenge to the favourite.

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