Skies are gray and the course is soft-to-heavy after significant rain in the last 10 days. Cheltenham has a seven-race program beginning at 7:45 a.m., Eastern. Here is a glance at selections.

Race 1 - Duc de Beauchene (5) and Don't Shout (4). This is the Cheltenham debut for Duc de Beauchene who won a handicap hurdle at Plumpton Racecourse in February, another venue with an undulating course. Don't Shout is at the start of his career having finished third and first in his first two starts over hurdles. He has every chance to show continued improvement. 

Race 2 - In a cross-country chase over fences, hurdles, banks, hedges and timber at 3 7-8 miles, the French import Urgent de Gregaine (1) has the all-important experience on the track. He was third in a similar race here in March behind Tiger Roll, who won the Grand National in his following start last April.

Race 3- Only four run in this two-mile chase for novices. Al Dancer (1) won his chasing debut here on Oct. 25 and can repeat that effort, provided he can beat Getaway Trump (2), who was third in the Oct. 25 race.

Race 4 - Again only four runners in a top-class two-mile chase. Defi Du Seuil (4) was a winner here in March at the National Hunt Festival and will have his first start since May. Jockey Barry Geraghty's presence will draw substantial support. Politologue (1) was second to the mighty Altior in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March and has not race since April. Both will be better with a start here.

Race 5 - The $128,000 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle is the day's top race, with 14 runners. Quel Destin (2), the only 4-year-old in the field, will ccarry joint topweight of 166 pounds. If he can handle that burden, he can beat this field, but faces a solid threat from Dame de Campagnie (9), who has not raced since April 2018 but comes from top trainer Nicky Henderson's stable and will be ridden by Geraghty.

Race 6 - Another disappointingly small field, with five runners in a novices' hurdle at 2 1-16 miles. Ecco (2) is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles and won his last race at Ascot on Nov. 2 by six lengths with a stalking trip. Hang In There (4) won a maiden hurdle at Exeter on Oct. 22, 12 days after unseating jockey Alex Wedge at the first hurdle at the same track as the 1-2 favorite.

Race 7 - Time Flies By (8) figures to be a strong favorite in this two-mile flat race on the basis of his win in a similar race on Oct. 26.