THE excitement is mounting fast as the countdown to the 2009 Cheltenham National Hunt Festival continues.

The next big day is on Saturday, January 24, when the Prestbury park course hosts its festival Trials day. Several of the top horses will be gearing up for the four days in March (March 10,11, 12 and 13), and we plan to bring you a full report on the outcome.

Kauto Star, the 2007 Totesport Gold Cup winner, who was dethroned by Denman in 2008, is likely to go straight to the festival to bid to regain the crown — a and be the first horse in chasing history to win a non-consecutive renewal of the great race. After his seven-length defeat to Denman in last year's race, Kauto Star came back with a vengeance with a superb third success in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

Master Minded will be back in March to bid to keep his title in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase Many regarded Master Minded's 19-length victory in last year's Queen Mother Champion Chase as one of the best performances over fences in recent years as he became the first ever five-year-old to win Cheltenham's two-mile showpiece.

This year's festival is building up to be one of the best in recent years. Keep watching for more information.