'Key dates' for your diary in crucial Cheltenham countdown

The Cheltenham Festival countdown is well and truly on with less than two months until the highlight of the National Hunt season takes place.

There are still some key stops along the road to Cheltenham, with major races in Britain and Ireland between now and Tuesday, March 10. We're pinpointing some of the events to focus on along the way.

Friday January 16 — Sunday January 18 — Berkshire Winter Million

Three days of quality jumps fare takes place at Windsor and Ascot this weekend, with lots of prize money on offer. Windsor stages two cards on Friday and Sunday, with the Fleur De Lys Chase on Sunday their highlight, while they have also picked up the Hampton Novices' Chase after it was lost from last weekend's Warwick card.

At Ascot on Saturday the first British Grade 1 of the year is the Clarence House Chase, where Jonbon and Il Etait Temps are set to clash.

Thursday January 22 — Thyestes Chase Day

One of the key midweek meetings in Ireland in the year, the Thyestes Chase Day at Gowran Park retains a special place in the hearts of the National Hunt community. Last year, it was won by subsequent Aintree Grand National hero Nick Rockett. The card also includes the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle.

Saturday January 24 — Cheltenham Trials Day

The final meeting at Cheltenham before The Festival in March, the Trials Day card is laced with quality, offering seven bona-fide dress rehearsals for key races during the biggest four days in the sport.

They include the Cleeve Hurdle and the Cotswolds Chase, with Spillane's Tower among those entered in the Gold Cup trial.

Also on January 24, Doncaster hosts the Grade 2 River Don Novices' Hurdle, a key test for

strong stayers over three miles.

Saturday January 31 & Sunday February 1 — Dublin Racing Festival

Arguably now the key stop on the road to Cheltenham, this two-day extravaganza at Leopardstown boasts eight Grade 1 races and has become synonymous with showcasing would-be Cheltenham Festival winners.

The likes of Galopin Des Champs, Kopek Des Bordes, Lossiemouth Brighterdaysahead Final Demand and El Cairos are all expected to turn out at the DRF, one of the most popular meetings of the year with racegoers from Ireland and Britain.

Saturday goes hand-in-hand with Sandown Park's Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase, while Musselburgh runs parallel with their Scottish Festival Trials Weekend on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday February 7 — Newbury William Hill Hurdle Day

Newbury takes centre stage with a quality card that includes the William Hill Hurdle (formerly the Betfair Hurdle and Tote Gold Trophy).

The Berkshire course also stages the Grade 2 Denman Chase and Game Spirit Chase, two key stopping points for leading British yards with potential Gold Cup and Champion Chase hopefuls respectively. Warwick meanwhile hosts the Kingmaker Novices' Chase on the same afternoon.

Sunday February 8 — Navan

Some quality fare from Navan includes the Grade 2 Boyle Hurdle, won in recent times by the likes of Tiger Roll and Hiddenvalley Lake, as well as the Apple's Jade Listed Mares Novices' Hurdle and the Grade 2 Ten Up Novices Chase.

Saturday February 14 — Betfair Ascot Chase

The Betfair Ascot Chase is a highlight in Ascot's calendar and one of the last major UK contests before Cheltenham in March with Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti and Shishkin amongst the recent winners.

Wednesday February 18 — Punchestown

Another midweek treat from Ireland as Punchestown hosts the Grade 3 Quevega Mares Hurdle, named in honour of the six-time Festival-winning mare from the Willie Mullins yard.

Saturday February 28 — Kelso Morebattle Hurdle

The Borders venue hosts the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle, Scotland's most valuable hurdle race which also includes an additional bonus of £100,000 if the winner can double up by winning any race at the Cheltenham Festival. They also stage the Premier Chase on a strong raceday with £330,000 in prize money on offer.

Saturday March 7 — Sandown Imperial Cup

The Imperial Cup takes pride of place on the final weekend before Cheltenham. In years gone by winners of the two-mile prize have gone on to glory at The Festival, including Blowing Wind in 1998, who followed up in the County Hurdle, and 2007 winner Gaspara, who backed up her win in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle.