Congratulations to Paul Nicholls who won Friday's Guinness Award.

The Guinness Festival Awards have become a valued and established reflection of the Festival over the past eleven years. The purpose of the Awards is to honour the individual who is considered to have made the most outstanding contribution to The Festival in the first three Championship races each day.

The nominations for the daily Award will be selected by a prestigious panel of racing journalists, and racegoers will then have the opportunity to select the winner by texting a vote. Each day after the third race, the contenders will be announced over the public address, through TV screens on the racecourse, on Festival Radio (87.7FM) and on Cheltenham’s official microsite. Votes can be registered between 4-7pm on the first three days of the Festival, and between 3.30 and 4.30pm on Friday by texting “Festival” with the selection a, b or c to 80818. There is no limit to the number of texts that can be sent*

Specially commissioned trophies, generously donated by Waterford Crystal, will be presented to the Award winners in the Paddock the following day, (with Friday’s winner receiving their trophy after the fifth race that day), and on Saturday, March 17th, Channel 4’s Morning Line viewers will be invited to vote for the overall 2007 Guinness Festival Award winner. Last year’s overall winner, Nicky Henderson, will be presented with his trophy on the opening day of this year’s meeting.

Everyone texting a vote will be entered into a daily prize draw to win a fabulous trip to Punchestown on the second day of the Festival, Wednesday April 25th, for the €180,000 Guinness Gold Cup. The prize includes return flights for two to Dublin, overnight accommodation at the splendid Killashee House Hotel & Villa Spa and badges to the racecourse. Set amidst 80 acres of magnificent gardens and parkland, this 4 Star Victorian Manor House boasts 141 luxurious guest rooms to include traditionally appointed suites, state of the art Country Club and a Villa Spa with 18 magnificent treatment rooms, making it one of Ireland’s leading venues. And most importantly, the hotel is just minutes away from Punchestown Racecourse, Naas and the Curragh. Please quote Cheltenham 07 to avail of a complimentary upgrade to a classic room when making your reservation**(Subject to availability at time of booking)

For further details of Punchestown, visit www.punchestown.com and for the hotel, www.killasheehouse.com (00 353 45 879277)

Text Your Selection to 80818 TODAY!

* texts cost £1 plus the normal carrier tariff.