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Five things to look out for

1. Every Cheltenham Festival has an Irish ‘banker’ bet, but only the most charismatic horses make the further leap to legendary status: in the 1960s, the three-time Gold Cup winner Arkle was perhaps the greatest example, and in subsequent decades champions Dawn Run, Danoli and Istabraq followed. More recently, however, nothing has entirely fitted the bill, but the brilliant mare Honeysuckle, a leading contender for the Champion Hurdle on day one, could change all that. The possibility revolves around an undefeated record — 11/11 — her jockey being Rachael Blackmore, one of Ireland’s leading female sporting figures, plus an all-important catchy name.

2. And it’s not just Blackmore: in Britain, the fascination with the success of women in what is perceived to be a male-dominated sport — though it is arguable whether that is entirely the case these days — shows no sign of abating, certainly not as regards jockey Bryony Frost. Frost’s already prolific profile multiplied when winning the Ryanair Chase on Frodon at the 2019 Festival, and this time they are scheduled to chase top honours in the event’s centrepiece, the Wellchild Cheltenham Gold Cup, on day four. Previously, Frodon has won six races staged over the course’s famously tricky contours, clearly an advantage.

3. The ghostly silence that will envelop much of the racecourse because of the pandemic is all the tougher because the festival has grown over the past 40 years from a parochial, purists’ event to one of the biggest, noisiest and most profitable weeks of the sporting calendar. The 2020 staging proved controversial as the first lockdown was looming, leading to claims it should have been cancelled; officials believe arrangements were within national guidelines, and they look forward to returning to a normal, crowded service.

4. Talking of changes, the success rate of horses from Ireland has accelerated beyond all recognition.

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