I partner Teahupoo in the Champion Hurdle and he can give Honeysuckle plenty to think about.
He is only a five-year-old, but he has been improving all season and I was very impressed by his performance in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran.
Obviously he has to improve again. Honeysuckle is going to be very, very hard to beat.
It's a tough ask but I think he's up to the challenge and I'd be disappointed if he's not in the first three.
I also ride Discordantly in the Ultima Handicap Chase. He was a good winner the last day at Leopardstown when dropped back in trip.
He'll appreciate this better ground. He's only got 10st 5lbs on his back. Obviously the Ultima is 24 runners, a very competitive handicap. He ran well in the race last year when he was sixth so he has to have an each-way chance.
![](https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article26463841.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_inpho_01473792.jpg)
I'm also looking forward to riding Britzka in the Boodles. He has some good form in graded races and this is a handicap so hopefully he also has an each-way chance.
It's a bit disappointing that there's only nine runners in the Festival opener, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but it's very, very competitive. You've got some very good horses in there with Dysart Dynamo, who I was very impressed with at Punchestown the last day.
He'll most likely go from the front and he's likely to go off favourite, but the bet of the race for me is Constitution Hill.
You need a horse with stamina to win a Supreme and Constitution Hill has that. He was a good winner of the Tolworth at Sandown. I think he's the one they have to beat, but at a slightly bigger price, there's good each-way value in Mighty Potter.
The Arkle is also very competitive. Edwardstone deserves to be favourite and has been very good this season, but I have slight preference for Riviere D'etel.
![](https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article26149170.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1_JS256800764.jpg)
I think she was very unlucky not to win in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown and I think she's the pick of the Irish to take on Edwardstone.
The Mares' comes after the Champion Hurdle and there is no superstar like Honeysuckle, Quevega or Annie Power in it this year.
I think at 4/1 or 5/1 Queen's Brook represents a bit of value for Gordon Elliott.
She has Cheltenham form having finished third in the bumper behind Ferny Hollow and Appreciate It two years ago.
She's a classy mare and she seems to be getting her act together over hurdles.
There's only seven runners in the National Hunt Chase and I think that will suit Vanillier.
He was well beaten by Stattler in Naas the last day, but I think this horse is crying out for a step up in trip to 3m5f and he was very good when he won the Albert Bartlett last year at Cheltenham.
Star Bet
Teahupoo has a big challenge so I'm not going to say he's definitely going to beat Honeysuckle, but I think he'll give her plenty to think about and has an each-way chance.
The standout bet of the day outside the rides I have would probably be Constitution Hill.
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts