Lossiemouth confirms Cheltenham great status with Champion Hurdle win

Within the first hour of this year’s Cheltenham Festival – by the time the Skybet Supreme and Singer Arkle have been run – the die will be cast and the tone set for the week.

Will the week belong to Willie Mullins – let’s hope his horses are moving better than he is with his chronic back problem – or Nicky Henderson, both of whom fire aces at those races? Gordon Elliott or Dan Skelton? The Irish or the British? The bookmakers or the punters?

And, given that it seems to be the sole metric by which the Jockey Club is judged, will anyone have paid to come and watch it? No one can deny that with strong attendances elsewhere – indeed, a record one at this course on New Year’s Day – it is an important year for the Festival itself.

About the only question I do know the answer to is that the best way to view the preparations for another Festival are from the back of a horse. Will Do, a 28/1 shot for the National Hunt Chase from the 1st battalion Cullentra House, was my viewing platform on Monday from which my main conclusion was; I wish my lawn was like that.

He was taking it all in and was agog at the watering system in action. He was no doubt as surprised as all of us that after such a wet winter the course still needs a drop of water on it to prevent it becoming too lively.

His message, I think, to me and you was that the ground will be much quicker than it has been all winter. His form has not been great in the mud this season but, maybe this is some misguided loyalty after our hour together, if Will Do will do any talking today, it will be on this ground.