It's raining and the ground is soft, but it's Cheltenham and it's only a few hours from starting. Finally.

Four days of racing begins at 9:30 a.m., Eastern, with a seven-race program. Rain is expected to lighten before the first race, which will be welcome.

Here's a glance at selections:

Race 1, 9:30 a.m., novices' hurdle, 2 1-16 miles - There will be 16 runners with the withdrawl of contender Elixir de Nutz (6) and Tokay Dokey (16). There are several with chances, with Angels Breath (2) holding the most appeal. A 5-year-old gelding trained by Nicky Henderson, Angels Breath was second in his last start on Feb. 23 at Kempton in a Grade 2 novices' hurdle. He won his hurdling debut at Ascot in December.

Al Dancer (1) and Fakir d'Oudairies (18) have excellent credentials. Al Dancer was the 9-2 favorite with two hours to post.

Race 2, 10:10 a.m., novices' chase, 2 miles - Lalor (8) may go favored, but Us and Them (12) holds is an attractive alternative at 14-1. Trained by Joseph O'Brien, Us and Them was second to Le Richebourg in his last two starts, but that horse has been sidelined. Us and Them has run well on wet courses in Ireland in recent starts.

Race 3, 10:50 a.m., handicap chase, 3 1-8 miles - Calipto (12) is an alternative to favored Give Me a Copper (15). Both are fairly low in the weights at 159 pounds, compared to topweight Lake View Lad at 166 pounds. Calipto won at Ascot on Feb. 16 and also in a handicap chase at Wincanton on Jan. 1. He must jump well, which has not always been the case, but the stamina is not an issue.

Race 4, 11:30 a.m., Champion Hurdle, 2 1-16 miles - This is the big race of the day and the mare Apple's Jade (8) threatens to steal the moment. She is unbeaten in four starts this year in Ireland, often leading throughout. Apple's Jade can stalk the pace, which will be key if there is a strong pace in this testing ground.

Buveur d'Air (2) is the selection. He has won this race the last two years and won a prep race in fine style at Sandown Park last month. Last year, Buveur d'Air won this race on heavy ground. He will be right behind the leaders.

Race 5, 12:10 p.m., Mares' Hurdle, 2 1-2 miles - Benie Des Dieux (2) has not raced since April and no one seems to mind. Trainer Willie Mullins has repeatedly prepared mares for top-class races after lengthy layoffs and this 8-year-old is exceptional, having won her last four starts, including this race last year. Benie Des Dieux will be odds-on and is the shortest-price of the day.

Race 6, 12:50 p.m., novices handicap chase, 2 1-2 miles - Its longshot time, again. Quamino (19) won a prep race at Leopardstown in Ireland on Feb. 2 from slightly off the pace. The soft ground is a question in this wide-open race, but the price justifies the risk. Also, Walt (9) has won two of his last three races since mid-December and can hit the board. This is a race that could have a 6-1 favorite

Race 7, 1:30 p.m., amateur riders' novices chase, 3 15-16ths miles - Ballyward (1) is a lukewarm selection in a field of 18. Trained by Mullins, Ballyward has won one of two starts in chases and does not make too many mistakes for a novice. He should be about 3-1 in a large field.