At the start of BBCtv's three-day coverage of the world's greatest National Hunt meeting, HRH The Princess Anne salutes two legendary horses.
First she rides Aldaniti past the stands on the Cheltenham leg of his Aintree charity walk then, near the winner's enclosure, she unveils a statue of the late Dawn Run who last year became the first horse to win both the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup.
2.15 The Waterford Crystal
Supreme Novices Hurdle (2m)
2.50 The Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeplechase (2m) (Coverage continues on BBC2)