The Queen has always been a staunch supporter of racing but she will have a special reason for cheering on one horse at the year's Festival.

Her Majesty owns the Gold Cup challenger Barbers Shop, trained by Nicky Henderson, and she will be at Cheltenham on Friday to support the horse in the blue riband race.

The promising seven-year-old chaser was victorious on his last start in the Future Stars Chase in December and has been second on his two previous visits to Cheltenham, including in the Jewson Novices Chase at the Festival last year.

On that occasion he looked strong up the hill and he looks certain to relish the three-and-a-quarter miles in the Gold Cup.

Henderson, who has enjoyed more Festival wins than any other current trainer, has already joked that he doesn't want to end up in the Tower if Barbers Shop disappoints at the Festival.