CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL returns TODAY as punters pour through the gates to enjoy the four-day extravaganza.

Horse racing fans from far and wide have turned out two years on from the 2020 edition – which came just days before the UK lockdown as the coronavirus pandemic gripped the nation.

The 2021 showcase then went ahead behind closed doors due to severe restrictions put in place by the government.

But now, as the country begins to climb its way out of the pandemic, the fans are BACK with a bang.

Flocks of people began filtering through the doors late in the morning on Tuesday ahead of a packed day's racing.

The Gloucestershire racecourse plays host to one of the biggest sporting week's of the year.

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And fans were already letting their hair down on the event's opening day as they enjoyed a welcome return to racing.

The extravaganza will include Ladies' Day on Wednesday and St Patrick's Day on Thursday as the Irish celebrate at one of the standout sporting events.

And then the Gold Cup – Cheltenham's flagship race – will take place on Friday.

The action will be shown live on ITV1, but only a certain number of races each day will be broadcast.

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The ITV coverage, fronted by Ed Chamberlain and Francesca Cumani, is currently set to show the first five races on each day.

Every race from the festival will be shown live on subscription channel Racing TV, or you can live stream it on a bookies' website.

TalkSPORT have live radio coverage of every race.

Sun Racing tipster Templegate and columnist Matt Chapman will bring you their top tips.

You can see the favourite for EVERY Cheltenham Festival race in our Cheltenham Festival section.

All you need for Cheltenham Festival 2022

• Cheltenham Festival LIVE – all the latest build-up ahead of day one as runners and riders CONFIRMED
• Cheltenham Festival FREE BETS – new customer offers
• Race schedule, TV channel and live stream info for the biggest show on turf
• Get £60 in FREE BETS – Get £10 to spend on SIX races on Tuesday with Paddy Power
• Gold Cup 2022 guide – all the latest odds for Friday's showpiece race

Tuesday, March 15 racing schedule at Cheltenham Festival

• 1.30 Supreme Novices' Hurdle
• 2.10 Arkle Novices' Chase
• 2.50 Ultimate Handicap Chase
• 3.30 Champion Hurdle
• 4.10 Mares' Hurdle
• 4.50 Boodles Handicap Hurdle
• 5.30 National Hunt Novices' Chase

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