It’s only around the corner now.

The cards on the Racing Post website are being studied frantically, the odds are being checked, the ante-post dockets are being filled. The jockeys are being coy, the trainers are giving nothing away, the owners reckon their lad “is in with a shout.”

The punters are counting down the seconds to the roar, some are even travelling over to Pretsbury Park and they’ve told everybody they’ve met about that.

The buzz is here now. There’s something about the Cheltenham festival. The cream of the Irish and the British horse racing crop clashing, the week that defines a whole year, can define a whole career for jockeys, trainers and owners.

What better way to ramp up the anticipation than to attend a preview night. Here’s the dates and venues of the upcoming events. Most will kick off between 7.30 and 8.00.

Cheltenham preview nights

Tuesday, February 27

1. Park Hotel, Clonmel, Tipperary.

Tickets €20. (Proceeds to St Mary’s hurling club Clonmel)

Should be a good night! Yeeehaaa! pic.twitter.com/Ihp4gsT9RN

— Matt Chapman (@MCYeeehaaa) February 26, 2018

2. Larry Tompkin’s Pub, Cork City.

Tickets €10. (Proceeds to Crumlin Children’s Hospital)

Currently en-route to Cork for a Cheltenham preview night with .@Ladbrokes Get yourself over if you're in the area! Happening in Larry Tompkins pub on the quays. I'll be joined by Enda Bolger, Charlie Swan and Tony Mullins. #crumlinhospital #cheltenham

— Shane Mahon (@mahon999) February 27, 2018

5. Red Horse Inn, Cork.

Tickets €10 (In aid of Injured Jockeys Fund)

Would ye mind giving this a shout out please👍 all in aid of @InjuredJockeys pic.twitter.com/DQ5nkn2lKQ

— Tim Hinchion (@thinchion) February 27, 2018

Thursday,  March 1

5. Woodlands Hotel, Waterford.

Tickets €20.

On the panel is – Brian Gleeson (MC), John Francome,  Jim McGrath,  David Casey, Davy Russell,  Tony Mullins  Bryan Cooper,  Nicola McGready (Ladbrookes), Ted Walsh and Dan Skelton.

We preview the 12th Woodlands Hotel Cheltenham Preview Night which is due to take place on Thursday night (March 1)…and once again it has assembled a star studded panel – including: Davy Russell (pictured), Ted Walsh, Bryan Cooper, John Francome, Jim McGrath, Dan Skelton & more pic.twitter.com/qv5ES3ozix

— Waterford Sport (@WaterfordSport) February 27, 2018

6. Kennedy’s Pub, Westland Row, Dublin.

Tickets €20. (Proceeds: Irish Injured Jockeys Fund)

On the panel is – David Jennings (MC), Johnny Ward, Mark Daveron, Kate Harrington and Patrick Mullins.

Friday, March 2

7. Swan Bar, Wexford.

Tickets €15.

On the panel is – Joseph O’Brien, Jamie Codd, Sean Flanagan & Mark Bolger.

8. Skerries Harps GAA, Dublin.

Tickets €10. (Proceeds to Cycle Against Suicide)

MC David Coughlan ( Daily Star): Panel Gary O’Brien (At The Races), David Jennings (Racing Post), Gavin Cromwell ( Trainer), Ado McGuinness ( Trainer), and Keith Donoghue ( Jockey).

Monday, March 5

9. Reardens Bar, Cork.

Tickets €20 (Proceeds to Irish Cancer Society/hurling for cancer research)

Tuesday, March 6

10. Ratoath GAA, Meath.

Tickets €20.

On the panel – Barry Geraghty, Ryan McHugh, Keith Donoghue, Tony Martin, Gavin Cromwell, Shark Hanlon, James Griffin.

Cheltenham Preview Night 7 March at Ratoath GAA Clubhouse – tickets only €20, includes free €5 bet and finger food. pic.twitter.com/vIekaXlDy6

— Ratoath GAA (@RatoathGAA) February 8, 2016

11. The Castle, Glanmire, Co Cork.

Tickets €15. (All proceeds to Alzheimer’s Society, St Luke’s home)