The Cheltenham Festival begins behind closed doors today.
Tipperary jockey Rachael Blackmore will bid to become the first woman rider to win the Champion Hurdle.
She is aboard the favourite 'Honeysuckle' in the 2 mile championship at 3.05.
The mare, trained in Waterford by Henry de Bromhead, has never been beaten in her career.
Last year's winner 'Epatante' and the exciting 'Goshen' are Honeysuckle's chief rivals.
The going is on the soft side for the first of seven races which goes to post at 1.20.
Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins saddles two strong favourites - 'Appreciate It' in the opening Supreme Novices Hurdle and 'Concertista' in the Mares Hurdle.
The best of the home challenge appears to be odds on favourite 'Shishkin' in the Arkle Chase.