Are you going to follow Pied Piper? Cheltenham returns to a screen near you

Cheltenham being back on ITV4 is the big warm hug we badly needed. For the first time since mid-March, the day A Plus Tard pulverised his rivals in the Gold Cup under Rachael Blackmore, the ITV team will wrap their arms around us from the heart of the Cotswolds and get us giddy about the months ahead. Nice to see you, to see you . . . nice.

The home of the festival has played its cards right already this week. Lower than a five, you say a four. You spoke and they listened. Didn't they do well? But before we get carried away thinking about something that is 143 days away, let's meet the stars of today's show.

Pied Piper is perhaps the most recognisable of them. Those who have followed him wherever he has gone will know he used to be owned by the Queen and trained by John Gosden before moving to Gordon Elliott to go jumping. He didn't come off the bridle when winning a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in January and was third in the Triumph Hurdle.