Key connections Day One Cheltenham - 'Landed a Fairyhouse maiden by 38-lengths'

The waiting ends here! After months of anticipation and weeks of previews and rumours, the Cheltenham Festival is upon us.

It is, as the saying goes, the 'greatest show on turf' and the most eagerly awaited four days in the National Hunt season.

The Cotswolds extravaganza begins at 1.20pm on Tuesday afternoon with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and ahead of day one, we're taking a look at a trainer, jockey and owner to follow.

Trainer — Nicky Henderson

Nicky Henderson had a winner at this festival to match each of the candles on his birthday cake back in December and the 75-year-old Seven Barrows supremo shows little sign of slowing up.

The recent circus around Constitution Hill couldn't have been easy for Henderson or owner Michael Buckley but it's generally accepted they made the correct call in avoiding coming here.

With Sir Gino also cruelly sidelined for the rest of the season, it was a tough Cheltenham prep and, yet, Hendo turns up on Tuesday braced to fire two of his biggest guns straight from the starting blocks.

Old Park Star looks a high-class performer in the making and puts his perfect jumping record on the line in the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle. His Haydock success in January was inspiring but now he must face the raiding Irish masses in his moment of truth.

Just 40 minutes later, Lulamba goes for glory in the Arkle for Henderson. Last year's Triumph Hurdle second has just that one blip on his CV, where he was denied a neck, and carries strong form into this Grade 1 contest where he meets the 2025 Supreme winner Kopek Des Bordes.

He of course represents a certain WP Mullins, who is always a trainer to follow at this meeting. Henderson also runs key horses Manlaga and Mustang De Breuil in the Fred Winter, Hyland in the Ultima and Holloway Queen in the National Hunt Cup and day one looks set to play a major part in his festival story this year.

Jockey — Jack Kennedy

Jack Kennedy is well on course to land his second Irish jockeys' title this season. Winner of the Gold Cup here at just 21-years-old in 2021, the Dingle-born rider has suffered more than his fair share of injuries in his career but now seems to be getting a clear run at things. One can only hope it stays that way for a man with six leg-breaks behind him.

No rider in Ireland has impressed more this season and Kennedy seems to be getting the majority of the big calls right.

He's on the very talented El Cairos in the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle and has Brighterdaysahead to look forward to in the Champion Hurdle, both for boss Gordon Elliott who is threatening to win the Irish trainers' crown for the first time. Patter Merchant in the Ultima, Down Memory Lane in the Plate and Kurasso Blue in the National Hunt Cup complete his day one rides for Elliott, while Kennedy has picked up a great spare on the very promising Winston Junior for Faye Bramley in the Fred Winter, something sure to please his backers.

Owner — JP McManus

A second 75-year-old to be watched and admired on day one, JP McManus will reach that milestone on this very day.

No owner in Cheltenham Festival history can match the incredible Irishman's tally of 85 and he's got some great chances to embellish that record on day one.

Mighty Park has been sent to the Supreme by Mullins, a real endorsement for the once-raced French import who landed a Fairyhouse maiden by 38-lengths in January. He had other options this week and so that fact he goes in so deep is to be noted.

Later on, McManus' record tally of nine Champion Hurdle wins could move into double figures as The New Lion goes for glory for Dan and Harry Skelton.

Both Manlaga and Mustang De Breuil in the Fred Winter don the green and gold hoops, as do Iroko and Jagwar in the Ultima, while McLaurey has a leading chance in the Plate. It could be some birthday for McManus, one of racing's greatest benefactors.