The final day of the Cheltenham festival has arrived and the week's leading race, the Gold Cup, is the highlight of a seven-race program that begins at 9:30 a.m., Eastern.

Here's a glance at the races, with selections.

Race 1, Triumph Hurdle, 2 1-8 miles - This has a small field of nine led by Apple's Shakira (8), who is unbeaten in four starts and looks deserving of 5-4 odds. A winner here in November and January, Apple's Shakira will be the shortest price of the day. 

Race 2, County Handicap Hurdle, 2 1-8 miles - In a field of Sandsend (8) is worth a look at about 14-1. Trained by Willie Mullins, Sandsend is lightly raced, with two wins in three starts, and may be slighty underrated despite a lack of experience. Sandsend is a half-brother to Si Sage, a two-time graded stakes winner on turf in Southern California.

Race 3, Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, 3 miles - In a field of 20, Chef Des Obeaux (4) is preferred to Santini (18), although Santini was favored this morning with bookmakers. Chef Des Obeaux has won his last three and Santini starts on a two-race winning streak. Both are trained by Nicky Henderson.

Race 4, Cheltenham Gold Cup, 3 5-16ths miles - In a field of 15, Might Bite (9) will be favored and is the selection, though there is concern about how he'll handle the softest turf course of his career. He did win on soft at Sandown in November in a minor race. Our Duke (12) is on the improve, while Native River (11) was third in this race last year.

Race 5, Foxhunter Chase, 3 5-16ths - Known as the amateur rider's GOld Cup, the race has 24 runners. Burning Ambition is favored on the stretch of five wins in his last six starts in point-to-point races and two races under rules in Ireland in recent months. Pacha Du Polder (10) won the race last year. Barel of Laughs (2) is capable of hitting the board.

Race 6 - Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, 2 9-16ths miles - A race for apprentice jockeys, a field of 23 and a dash to an uphill finish. Those are standard in this sometimes tricky contest. Preference is for Diese des Bieffes (16), who is trained by Henderson and will be ridden by top English apprentice James Bowen, who ranks 15th in the national overall standings.

Race 7, Grand Annual Handicap Chase, 2 1-16 miles - Dolos (11) has not been worse than third in three career starts in chases and is on the improve for trainer Paul Nicholls. He will carry 159 pounds, below course specialist Garde La Victoire at 166 in a field of 23. Dolos will be about 14-1, too, and is a good play across the board.