The Cheltenham Festival, which gets under way on Tuesday afternoon, is the undoubted highlight of the National Hunt calendar

Some of Irish trainer Dessie Hughes's Cheltenham contenders make their final preparations ahead of the opening day of racing

Regular racegoer and keen horsewoman Zara Phillips gets to the Prestbury Park course early

A huge roar goes up as the runners leave the start for the day's opening race, the Supreme Novices Hurdle

Barry Geraghty guides Irish hope Forpadydeplaster over the last on their way to winning the Arkle Trophy Chase at odds of 8-1

Forpadydeplasterer's success is loudly greeted in the winners enclosure by his owners the Goat Racing Syndicate

Model and actress Liz Hurley, who has a home in the Cotswolds, joins the crowds enjoying the action

The day's feature race, the Champion Hurdle, sees Punjabi (l) and Celestial Halo (r) fight to the line

But it is the 22-1 shot Punjabi, trained by Nicky Henderson, who wins by a neck and jockey Barry Geraghty celebrates a second winner

It is a memorable 58th birthday for JP McManus who has two winners - Wichita Lineman and Garde Champetre

Nina Carberry claims her fourth Festival winner when Garde Champetre triumphs in the Glenfarclas Handicap Steeple Chase

Quevega completed a successful day for Irleand as the 2-1 favourite romped home in the final race of the day