• Ruby Walsh riding Vautour win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle Race at Cheltenham racecourse on Tuesday. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
    Ruby Walsh riding Vautour win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle Race at Cheltenham racecourse on Tuesday. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
  • Racegoers cheer on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England on Tuesday. The four-day Cheltenham Festival is a highlight of the annual jump racing calendar. Toby Melville / Reuters / March 11, 2014
    Racegoers cheer on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet in Gloucestershire, western England on Tuesday. The four-day Cheltenham Festival is a highlight of the annual jump racing calendar. Toby Melville / Reuters / March 11, 2014
  • Horses and riders are silhouetted against the setting sun during the Novices Handicap Steeplechase at the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet on Tuesday. Eddie Keogh / Reuters / March 11, 2014
    Horses and riders are silhouetted against the setting sun during the Novices Handicap Steeplechase at the Cheltenham Festival horse racing meet on Tuesday. Eddie Keogh / Reuters / March 11, 2014
  • Racegoers look at horses outside the weighing room on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. Thousands of racing enthusiasts are expected at the four-day festival, which started with the festival's Champion Day and is seen as many as the highlight of the jump racing calendar. Matt Cardy / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
    Racegoers look at horses outside the weighing room on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. Thousands of racing enthusiasts are expected at the four-day festival, which started with the festival's Champion Day and is seen as many as the highlight of the jump racing calendar. Matt Cardy / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
  • Ruby Walsh rides Quevega into the winner's enclosure after taking a record sixth Mares' Hurdle title on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. Matt Cardy / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
    Ruby Walsh rides Quevega into the winner's enclosure after taking a record sixth Mares' Hurdle title on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. Matt Cardy / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
  • Riders in the National Hunt Chase Amateur Riders Novice Chase pass the crowd on Tuesday. Matt Cardy / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
    Riders in the National Hunt Chase Amateur Riders Novice Chase pass the crowd on Tuesday. Matt Cardy / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
  • A general view as runners make their way down the back straight at Cheltenham racecourse on Tuesday. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
    A general view as runners make their way down the back straight at Cheltenham racecourse on Tuesday. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
  • Sam Twiston-Davies on The New One jumps the final fence of the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on Tuesday. Eddie Keogh / Reuters / March 11, 2014
    Sam Twiston-Davies on The New One jumps the final fence of the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on Tuesday. Eddie Keogh / Reuters / March 11, 2014
  • Barry Geraghty riding Jezki, left, wins The Stan James Champion Hurdle from My Tent Or Yours and Tony McCoy, right, at Cheltenham racecourse on Tuesday. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
    Barry Geraghty riding Jezki, left, wins The Stan James Champion Hurdle from My Tent Or Yours and Tony McCoy, right, at Cheltenham racecourse on Tuesday. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
  • The scene at Cheltenham as Barry Geraghty and Jezki celebrate winning the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on Tuesday. Toby Melville / Reuters
    The scene at Cheltenham as Barry Geraghty and Jezki celebrate winning the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy on Tuesday. Toby Melville / Reuters
  • Photographers photographing the action at Cheltenham racecourse on Tuesday. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images / March 11, 2014
    Photographers photographing the action at Cheltenham racecourse on Tuesday. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images / March 11, 2014

In pictures: Horses get jumping at Cheltenham Festival


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The highlight of the jump racing calendar, the Cheltenham Festival, kicked off on Tuesday at Cheltenham racecourse in Gloucestershire, England.