Tuesday 12th March 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Preview
1.30: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: We kick The Festival off with the Supreme Novices Hurdle at 1.30 on Tuesday which is a Grade 1 novice hurdle contested over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m with two here, the first of which is Jeriko Du Reponet for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. He was actually favourite for this race earlier in the winter following impressive victories at Newbury, however, a workmanlike performance in a Doncaster Grade 2 took some of the shine away. The form of that Doncaster win has since been boosted though, with the runner-up Lump Sum since coming out and winning the Dovecote at Kempton in impressive style. This is a promising horse, and he has every chance of going well here. My other pick is Mistergif for Willie Mullins, he’s a French recruit who bolted up by eighteen lengths on stable debut at Limerick back in January and connections are on record saying they think highly of him, he’s currently a big price and could well outrun those odds. Selection: Jeriko Du Reponet – 15/2 (Each-Way) & Mistergif – 10/1 (Each-Way)
2.10: My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase: The Arkle is up next which is a Grade 1 novice chase that’s ridden over a distance of two miles. I’ve taken a chance on Gaelic Warrior here for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He’s placed at two Cheltenham Festivals despite having clear issues going this way around, he blew up last time out before unseating at the Dublin Racing Festival behind Fact To File, however, before that he looked mightily impressive when bolting up in a Grade 1 at Limerick, beating Il Etait Temps by over five lengths in the process. I think he’s the best horse here, and if his jumping holds up he has a serious chance. Selection: Gaelic Warrior – 15/8 (Win)
2.50: Ultima Handicap Chase: Next up it’s the Ultima which is the first handicap of the meeting. I’ve had two selections in the race and both come from the same yard, the first of which is Chianti Classico for Kim Bailey and David Bass. He’s progressed nicely over fences this season, winning two of his three starts with his most recent effort coming when finishing second to seasoned handicapper Flegmatik in a competitive affair at Kempton. The yard targets this race and I think he’s got a great chance. My other pick is Trelawne who’s also for Kim Bailey and this time the mount of Harry Cobden. He was third behind Ginny’s Destiny here in December and was just under two-lengths behind Crebily who’s also well-fancied at The Festival, which is solid form. Any rain would be welcomed for this eight-year-old, however, I still think he has a lot more to offer and can go well. Selections: Chianti Classico – 6/1 (Each-Way) & Trelawne 8/1 (Each-Way)
3.30: Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy: The feature race on the opening day is the Champion Hurdle which is a Grade 1 affair contested over two miles and half of a furlong. This looks to be all about State Man here for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend now we have no Constitution Hill, I was actually going to put him up before Constitution Hill became unwell, as I do believe he’s progressed further this term. However, it’s now a no-bet race for me, as unless you enjoy a big bet on a short price, you’re looking for one to sneak into the frame, and not many of these are shouting to me out as solid each-way picks. State Man should be winning this though, and winning it comfortably enough. Selection: State Man – 2/5
4.10: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle: The fifth race of the afternoon is the Mares’ Hurdle that’s another Grade 1 affair, this time over a distance of two miles and four furlongs. It’s hard to see past Lossiemouth here who’s another for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, sporting the pink and green silks of the Ricci’s. She was very impressive here last time out when bolting up in the International Hurdle, and despite a slight doubt about the trip, she should be very hard to beat. Whilst I do think the Mullins mare will win this, she’s too short for me to have a punt on, so one I do like as an each-way play as she’s a nice price is Tellmesomethinggirl for Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. She reverted back over hurdles in her last two starts and has found her form again with her most recent run coming when just over a length behind the useful Zarak The Brave in a Grade 3 at Naas last month. She won the Mares’ Novice race at The Festival a couple of years back, so she clearly has no issue with the track and could well outrun her odds here. Selections: Lossiemouth – 8/13 & Tellmesomethinggirl – 12/1 (Each-Way)
4.50: Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: The penultimate race on the opening day is the Boodles which is a handicap hurdle for juveniles over two miles and half of a furlong. As this is another large-filed competitive handicap I’ve tried my hand with two selections, the first of which comes in the form of Liari for the team of Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He’s looked like a very handy recruit for connections so far winning all three of his starts this term with the last two coming in listed company, where he won at Aintree and Musselburgh convincingly. There could still be more to come and I think he could run a big race. My other pick is Ndaawi who’s an Irish challenger for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. He was a useful flat horse rated in the 90s and has progressed with each run to date over hurdles, winning last time out. He looks like a typical type to go well here and I suspect a big run could be on the cards. Selections: Liari – 9/1 (Each-Way) & Ndaawi – 9/1 (Each-Way)
5.30: Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase: Signing us off on Tuesday will be the 5.30 which is the National Hunt Chase over three miles and six furlongs. I’m with Embassy Gardens in this year’s renewal of the marathon affair, who represents Willie & Patrick Mullins. He’s a classy sort who’s won both of his chase starts this term by a combined total of twenty-three lengths, where in his most recent success he got the better of the talented Sandor Clegane by ten lengths. He faces a serious challenge in the likes of Corbett’s Cross here, but I think he’ll be well up to the task and should post a very serious bid. Embassy Gardens – 15/8 (Win)
