All eyes are on Galopin Des Champs, who is aiming for a third successive Gold Cup at the climax of the Cheltenham Festival. General admission for the Gold Cup has sold out, with nearly 70,000 spectators gathered at Prestbury Park.

New Cheltenham chief executive Guy Lavender has promised to reflect on "the quality of the experience" for everyone on course in the coming weeks and months, but in the interim our reporters discussed the festival with racegoers in attendance, from the competitiveness of the racing to the raceday experience and pricing.

Daryl Carter looks to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and advises three selections including a 100/1 chance for Nicky Henderson in the Supreme Novice Hurdle.

Galopin Des Champs can raise the Cheltenham roof and join the pantheon of greats who have won three Gold Cups but the festival has been beset by drama with giants such as Constitution Hill, State Man

Gold Cup race card, results, winners, schedule, weather and latest odds on day four - Another bumper day of racing ahead on St Patrick’s Thursday at Prestbury Park