Paul Nicholls

The iconic scene at Cheltenham as packed stands prepare to cheer on the runners in the opening race of the festival. (PHOTO BY: Adrian Dennis/Getty Images)

15 horses who could make the headlines at this week's Cheltenham Festival

Jockey Paul Townend celebrates aboard Al Boum Photo, winner of last season's Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.

How the big Cheltenham Festival races next week are shaping up

De Rasher Counter is driven to victory by conditional rider Ben Jones in the £250,000 Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.

Carnival time at Newbury throws up many Jumps horses to follow

Loveable legend Tiger Roll on his way to an easy win at last month's Cheltenham Festival. (PHOTO BY: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Grand National pinsticker’s guide to all the runners

The stage is set for the Cheltenham Festival this week. (PHOTO BY: Matt Cardy/Getty Images).

Cheltenham Festival Fever is here again! Setting the scene for Jumps racing’s bi...

Gold Cup Day at last year's Cheltenham Festival. (PHOTO BY: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Golden rules for a successful week of punting at the Cheltenham Festival

Trainer Paul Nicholls, who landed a five-timer at Ascot's big meeting on Saturday (PHOTO BY: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Master trainer Nicholls delivers perfect Ascot antidote to equine flu

One of the leading fancies, Baron Alco, on his way to victory in the BetVictor Gold Cup, also at Cheltenham, last month.

Largest field for seven years in Cheltenham's big race on Saturday

Altior (right) on his way to victory, and a classy comeback, in the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

COUNTDOWN TO CHELTENHAM: Altior and Native River back with a bang

Total Recall, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, won the first edition of the £250,000 Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on Saturday.

All the stars aligned as Newbury serves up best meeting of Jumps season so far

This year's Grand National marks the 40th anniversary of the record-breaking third win in the race, in 1977, of the legendary Red Rum, pictured above crossing the line under jockey Tommy Stack.

GRAND NATIONAL: pinsticker's A-Z guide to all the runners at Aintree

It's the race where we all have a flutter and try to find the winner. Or, at the very least, where we all have a go via the sweep at work or at our local pub and club.

By The Newsroom

One of the warm fancies for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, Native River, ridden by champion jockey Richard Johnson. (PHOTO BY: Julian Herbert/PA Wire).

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL: in-depth preview of this year's Gold Cup

Favourite Thistlecrack, who has been ruled out of the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup because of injury.

COUNTDOWN TO CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL: golden rules for a successful week of punting

HENNESSY HEROES -- Native River, ridden by Richard Johnson and trained by Colin Tizzard, lands the 60th running of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

Twelve horses to have caught the eye so far this Jumps season

King adaptation is at Derby Theatre

The Chad Family Fun Day takes place at Southwell Racecourse on Sunday, July 10.

Top tips for family fun race day at Southwell Racecourse

CHAMPION AT LAST -- Richard Johnson, who was crowned champion Jumps jockey after 16 years as runner-up in the shadow of AP McCoy.

Sandown's fitting finale to the Jumps season proves that change can be positive

ON CLOUDS NINE -- Many Clouds, ridden by Leighton Aspell, jumps the final fence on his way to Aintree glory in last year's Grand National. He's favourite to triumph again on Saturday.

GRAND NATIONAL PREVIEW: your A-Z pinsticker's guide to all the Aintree runners

STUDYING THE FORM AT CHELTENHAM -- keen paddock-watchers using their eyes and ears in search of winners at last years Cheltenham Festival. (PHOTO BY: www.horseracingphoto.co.uk).

Golden rules of successful punting at the Cheltenham Festival

OUR resident racing expert looks back on the big race of last weekend, the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

Smad Place’s Hennessy romp evokes memories of Desert Orchid

DEFENDING CHAMPION -- Pineau De Re on his way to victory in last year's Crabbie's Grand National. He is back to defend his title. (PHOTO BY: John Giles/PA Wire).

CRABBIE’S GRAND NATIONAL: Richard Silverwood’s A-Z pinsticker’s guide to all the...

THE FAVOURITE -- champion jockey Tony McCoy on Shutthefrontdoor after a pre-Grand National workout at Southwell a couple of weeks ago (PHOTO BY: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire).

CRABBIE’S GRAND NATIONAL: will it be a fairytale finale at Aintree for AP McCoy?

FESTIVAL FAREWELL TO A LEGEND -- Tony 'AP' McCoy with Mr Mole, one of his plum rides at his last Cheltenham Festival. (PHOTO BY: Julian Herbert/PA Wire).

Stand by for AP McCoy’s final Cheltenham Festival

A CHAMPION AT CHELTENHAM -- Paul Nicholls, champion jumps trainer, pictured at Cheltenham on the eve of the 2015 Festival, where he has leading fancies in most of the big races. (PHOTO BY: David Davies/PA Wire)

Countdown to the Cheltenham Festival -- snapshot look at the big four races

MANY Clouds (right), ridden by Leighton Aspell, jumps the last fence on his way to victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury (PHOTO BY: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

Thoughts and horses to follow from the Hennessy Festival at Newbury

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED -- part-time trainer Dr Richard Newland (right) celebrates Grand National success with jockey Leighton Aspell aboard Pineau De Re (PHOTO BY: David Davies/PA Wire)

Seven things we learned from the Grand National meeting at Aintree

FESTIVAL FEVER -- the crowds at Cheltenham welcome HURRICANE FLY back to the winner's enclosure after he had won last year's Champion Hurdle (PHOTO BY: Tim Ireland/PA Wire)

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2014: setting the scene for highlight of racing year

SUPERSTARS BIDDING TO CREATE HISTORY -- the Willie Mullins-trained duo, Hurricane Fly and Quevega, at their stable in County Carlow, Ireland (PHOTO BY: Niall Carson/PA Wire)

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY ONE -- race-by-race potted preview and tips

Here are my brief thoughts on Champion Hurdle Day. Get ready for that Cheltenham Roar as the tapes go up for the first!

RICHARD ‘SCOOP’ SILVERWOOD

PURE GOLD -- jockey Barry Geraghty celebrates after last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph by Bobs Worth (PHOTO BY: David Davies/PA Wire)

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY FOUR -- race-by-race potted preview and tips

BAY WATCH -- old favourite Tidal Bay, who heads the weights for the 2014 Crabbie's Grand National (PHOTO BY: John Giles/PA Wire).

Tidal Bay and Long Run head weights for £1 million Crabbie’s Grand National

NATIONAL HEROES -- Aurora's Encore and jockey Ryan Mania after their victory in last year's Grand National (PHOTO BY: David Davies/PA Wire)

More than 100 entries for the first £1 million Grand National at Aintree

KING FOR A DAY -- Silviniaco Conti jumps the last, ahead of Cue Card and Al Ferof, on his way to victory in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. (PHOTO BY: Steve Parsons?PA Wire)

Progress report on horses to follow for 2013/14 jumps season

My Tent Or Yours ridden by Tony McCoy wins the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle Race during Day One of the William Hill Winter Festival at Kempton Park Racecourse. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday December 26, 2013. See PA Story RACING Kempton. Photo credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA Wire.

In search of vital clues on the downhill stretch to the Cheltenham Festival

SPRINTER SACRE -- set for his eagerly-awaited seasonal return at Kempton over Christmas

Horses to follow for racing’s Christmas and New Year festive feast

Dynaste and Tom Scudamore (left) jump the final fence on their way to victory in the John Smiths Mildmay Novices Chase during Ladies Day at the 2013 John Smith's Grand National Meeting at Aintree Racecourse, Sefton. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday April 5, 2013. See PA story RACING Aintree. Photo credit should read: John Giles/PA Wire

Twenty-two horses to follow for the new jumps season

MIGHTY LEAP -- Neptune Collonges on his way to winning last year's Grand National.

GRAND NATIONAL: your guide to all the runners

RACLEINE: Tip of the Day Monday 11th February

RACELINE: Horses to follow

RACELINE: TIP OF THE DAY 25th January

RACELINE: Monday 21st January

Horse-racing ‘Tip Of The Day’ — Monday January 7

RACELINE: horses to follow

Horse-racing ‘Tip Of The Day’ — Saturday January 5

Horse-racing ‘Tip Of The Day’ — Thursday December 13

RACELINE: TURFBLOG

Trainers’ title fight will define a spectacular jumps season

By The Newsroom

RACELINE: Horses To Follow

Horse-racing ‘Tip Of The Day’ — Friday November 23

Horse-racing ‘Tip Of The Day’ — Saturday November 17

RACELINE: TIP OF THE DAY - Saturday 17th November

Horse-racing ‘Tip Of The Day’ — Wednesday November 14

Raceline: Horses To Follow

RACELINE: HORSES TO FOLLOW

Horse-racing ‘Tip Of The Day’

Horse-racing ‘Tip Of The Day’