The 2009 Cheltenham Festival, which begins on Tuesday, is the undoubted highlight of the National Hunt calendar.

Over the four days of racing, more than 200,000 people will travel to the Gloucestershire course to take in the top-class racing action and soak up the unique Festival atmosphere.

As well as the home raiders, there is also a strong Irish contingent with some French stars hoping to take the prizes across the English Channel.

Despite the economic gloom, more than £500m will be gambled on the outcome of the 26 races with owners and trainers chasing total prize money of £3.56m.