The Cheltenham Festival gets underway today and, after last years spectator free event, there will be a huge crowd making the traditional roar at around 1.30pm this afternoon, writes Bob Cross.
The Irish won twenty three of the twenty eight races in 2021 to win the Prestbury Cup and they have, arguably, a stronger hand this year than last.
Day One starts off with The Supreme Novices Hurdle (1.30). Jonbon cost owner JP McManus a record fee when he was purchased after winning a point-to-point in 2020. He has a great chance of following in the footsteps of his full brother, Douvan, who was a bit of a legend round here.
Our each way selection is Kilcruit who ran well in defeat in the bumper last year.
The Arkle Chase (2.10) lets us see one of Britain's main hopes for the week – Edwardstone.
His price, in my opinion, is far too short for an eight year old who has not finished in the first three in his previous outings at Cheltenham. Blue Lord (nap) will relish the ground and appeals more at the odds. Magic Daze is our each way selection.
The Ultimo Handicap Chase (2.50) gives us the opportunity for a couple of each way selections in what is a wide open contest. Many bookies are paying additional places so check before placing your wager. Corach Rambler is trained by Lucinda Russell in Perthshire and will be carrying the hopes of the nation. Tea Clipper seldom runs a bad race and may go well here at a big price.
The feature race of the day is the Champion Hurdle (3.30) and, with Honeysuckle being an odds on favourite , we will look for two each way selections who can make the frame. Appreciate It returns after a long lay off. If he retains any of the ability he showed previously he should be able to run in to a place. British trained, Adagio , is our second selection.
The Mares Hurdle (4.10) is a competitive affair. After serving a ban last year, Gordon Elliot, has returned exactly where he left off. He has the highly talented Queens Brook in this event and, I believe she will be hard to beat. Our each way selection is Echoes in the Rain .
The penultimate race of the day (4.50) is the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. All the pre-race chat has been around Gaelic Warrior a horse who has never raced outside France and never won a race there – but the strength of support in the betting market suggests he is something special.
With some bookies paying six places I am going to ignore this hot pot and try to find two value each way picks. Petite Tonnere has a similar profile to the hot favourite at considerably bigger odds. A filly we know all about is White Pepper she always gives everything in her races and, at around 66/1 , merits an each way shilling.
If we are looking to get out of jail, the last race (5.30) provides us with a rather difficult task. Disappointingly there are only six entries in this event for amateur jockeys.
Lanarkshire businessman, Ronnie Bartlett, won this race last year with Galvin and I am looking for a similar result with his entry, Stattler . At the prices Vanillier appeals each way. He ran a cracker when winning the Novices Hurdle last year and saves his best for Cheltenham.
Then it is off to bed to dream about day two. Good luck!
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