Soft ground at Cheltenham as Honeysuckle supported

The ground is officially soft ahead of the opening day of the Cheltenham festival.

There has been 7mm of rain at the venue in the last 24 hours. Honeysuckle is proving popular as she bids to end her brilliant career with victory in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle.

Henry de Bromhead's dual champion hurdler is now best priced 5/2 (from 7/2) for the 4.10pm contest.

Last year's winner Marie's Rock is close second best in the market, generally an 11/4 shot. Facile Vega is a solid favourite in the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle and there are only a few firms still going 2/1. He is generally a 15/8 shot.