Thousands of reasons to be cheerful as the faithful return to jumping holy land

Listen out for the Cheltenham roar on Friday. It may be nearly five months early and it might not be quite so loud as on the opening day of the festival in March but it will be every bit as heartfelt and lusty.

On the eve of the final Group 1 Flat race of the season, something is stirring in the Cotswolds: the joyous sight and sound of pilgrims returning to worship at the altar of jump racing.

It happens every autumn, when Cheltenham reopens its doors to those who have been slumbering while trivialities like the Classics have engaged those of a different persuasion.