The wait is nearly over!
And our tipster, Bob Cross, is here to give you the inside track on the Cheltenham Festival for day one...
With over 200,000 fans expected through the gates this week, The Cheltenham Festival can lay claim to the greatest show on turf.
Racing fans throughout the world will be gathering round televisions, radios or (these days!) mobile phones as they cheer on their favourite equine athletes against the best of the best.
The ground looks like coming up soft for day one and that does play its part in our selections.
Day one starts off at 1.30 with the Supreme Novices Hurdle.
I am siding with Facile Vega. He did run a stinker last time out at Leopardstown in February but, apart from that hiccup, has been unbeatable. Trainer Willie Mullins has trained a record five winners of this event and I expect that to increase by one at the end of the race.
Our each-way selection is Chasing Fire who has done nothing wrong since winning a point-to-point in October 2021. It is a big step up in class from what he has been beating but he deserves his chance at this level.
The Arkle Novices Chase is off at 2.10 and, if the market is to be believed, this is a two horse race – now where have we heard that before?
Jonbon is the pick. Only the exceptional Constitution Hill has ever finished in front of him – which is good form in my book.
Our each way selection is San Roi who unseated his rider last time out but has a lot of ability.
They are under starter's orders at 2.50 for the Ultima Handicap Chase and we have a very live Scottish interest.
Trained by Lucinda Russell, Corach Rambler, had more horses in front than behind when arriving at the third last fence a year ago in this corresponding race. However his attitude and the way he ate up the ground was one of last year's festival highlights – winning the race by three lengths. He has a bit more weight this year but it looks as though he has been laid out specifically for this event and at an each way price.
With several bookies paying enhanced places it may be worth an each way investment on Fantastikas. He jumps for fun and seldom runs a bad race.
The Champion Hurdle is off at 3.30 and it would take a very brave person to back against Constitution Hill. He will be a very short price and not without good reason – he won last year's Supreme Novices by over twenty lengths. Defeat here is out of the question, but a wee each way shilling on Zanahiyr, who is currently 80/1, may give us a run for our money.
The 4.10 is the Mares Hurdle and possibly the last time we will see Honeysuckle compete under rules. Despite losing her last two races, I am sure a return to her favourite track will give her the boost needed to have a fighting chance to go out on a high.
Queen's Brook was second in this event last year and knows how to scrap. The addition of Davy Russell in the saddle will not hinder her each way chances.
The penultimate race of the day is the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle . It is off at 4.50 and with several bookmakers paying six places, we will offer two each way selections in this wide open affair.
Afadil ran a cracker when winning at Musselburgh in February when landing the Scottish Triumph Hurdle. He will need to improve to win this race but that is not beyond this Paul Nicholls trained gelding. Because of his ability, Perseus Way, has quite a bit of weight to carry but this classy son of Sea The Stars has a big race in him.
The final race of the first day is The National Hunt Challenge Cup for Amateur Riders. It is off at 5.30 and the short priced favourite, Gaillard Du Mesnil, looks the one to be on with. He has only won one chase previously, but he has been mixing it with the best and none of the competition here look anywhere near as accomplished as his previous conquerors.
Jamie Codd has been one of the finest amateur jockeys for many years. He rides Chemical Energy who has already won at Cheltenham this season. The Gordon Elliot inmate merits an each way shilling.
Good luck, everyone, and remember there are three days to go after this one, so if you are having a wee flutter – please gamble responsibly.
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