The opening race of the Cheltenham Festival takes place on Tuesday afternoon, heralding the start of the biggest four days on the jumps racing calendar. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson previews next week’s action, and comes up with some betting suggestions


TUESDAY

It has always been customary for the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival to be greeted with a huge roar, and in the last few years, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1.30) has also spawned another tradition – the short-priced favourite trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Ruby Walsh and owned by Rich Ricci.

This year, Getabird (11-8) has been charged with the task of getting the Festival off to a winning start for punters, and while there’s not a lot of value in his price, he looks to have rock-solid credentials.

He could hardly have been more impressive as he claimed the Moscow Flyer at Leopardstown, and that victory is the best piece of novice form on either side of the Irish Sea this winter. It’s hard to oppose him, but Summerville Boy (11-1) could prove an each-way alternative, especially if the ground is soft.

The opening day is littered with strongly-fancied favourites, and the Mullins camp are on record stating that Footpad (11-8) is their banker of the week in the Arkle (2.10).

His jumping is his major asset, and makes him a completely different proposition over fences than he was over hurdles. He’s another favourite that should be too good for his opponents, although Saint Calvados (4-1) will give him plenty to think about as he blasts off from the front and looks a much more threatening opponent than second-favourite Petit Mouchoir.

The Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50), which is the opening handicap on the card, looks typically competitive, and it’s hard to be too definitive until the final declarations are confirmed tomorrow.

At this stage, though, I’d be interested in Nicky Henderson’s two runners – Gold Present, which is vying for favouritism at 8-1, and OO Seven, which is available at 16s. The former could be a Gold Cup horse in the future, while the latter boasts plenty of decent placed form at Grade One level.

The feature of the opening day is the Champion Hurdle (3.30), and it’s impossible to see past Buveur D’Air (8-15), who looks nailed on to retain his crown. He’s yet to be tested this season, but that isn’t too much of a concern given the way he cruised home last year.

The Northern Echo:

Faugheen is past his best, and it’s impossible to predict what kind of state Yorkhill will turn up in if he runs in the Champion Hurdle instead of the Ryanair, so the each-way value lies with My Tent Or Yours (10-1) who was second last year. He can chase home his stable mate once again.

If the first three Grade Ones have all been won by the favourite, the bookmakers will be facing some huge liabilities if Apple’s Jade (4-7) obliges in the Mares Hurdle (4.10). If she’s anywhere close to her best, she will, as she’s in a different league to anything that will be taking her on. As an each-way alternative, La Bague Au Roi (10-1) has improved with every race this season.

The National Hunt Chase (4.50) has cut up badly in the last few days, and it’s still hard to know exactly what is going to run. Gordon Elliot has a superb record in the race, though, and Jury Duty (11-2) proved his liking for Cheltenham when he finished third in the Pertemps last year. He should go close.

The opening day concludes with the Close Brothers’ Chase (5.30), a fiendishly difficult handicap in which the entire field is split by just five pounds. The Irish will be all over Elliot’s De Plotting Shed, but Paul Nicholls’ Movewiththetimes (8-1) has long threatened to win a big race like this, and should make the frame.


WEDNESDAY

Day two starts with the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (1.30), and a favourite in Samcro (8-11) that many regard as the ‘Second Coming’.

He’s been brilliant in his races to date, but there’s a nagging feeling that he might not have beaten much and plenty of strongly-fancied Irish novices have come a cropper in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the Festival.

I don’t think there’s a lot between Samcro and the Mullins-trained Next Destination (9-2), so at the prices, I’ll be taking a chance on the latter.

The RSA Chase (2.10) has something of a wide open feel, and while favourite Presenting Percy (5-2) was an impressive winner over hurdles at the Festival last year, there are plenty of question marks over his ability to follow up here.

I’d take him on with Monalee (3-1) if last year’s Albert Bartlett runner-up was to line up here, but the vibes suggest he’ll be going for the JLT instead. So at the prices, Mullins’ Al Boum Photo (8-1) makes each-way appeal given the consistency of his displays in Ireland this winter.

The Coral Cup (2.50) will be the usual cavalry charge, with any number of so-called ‘plot horses’ all the rage. At this stage, my two against the field would be Diese De Bieffes (14-1) and Topofthegame (16-1).

The day two highlight is the Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30), and the appearance of Altior (8-11), who can justifiably be described as the best horse appearing at this year’s Festival.

The Northern Echo:

He was as good as ever when he slammed Politologue on his comeback run at Newbury, and anything approaching a repeat of that performance will be sufficient to earn him his third Festival triumph.

A fully tuned-up Douvan would be able to make a race of it, but even if Mullins’ stable star was to make it to the start line, it would be a miracle if he was race fit after a year off the track. Min should finish second, but last year’s winner, Special Tiara (14-1), never gets the recognition he deserves, and provided the ground isn’t too tacky, he’s a decent each-way option.

The theme of returning champions continues in the Cross-Country (4.10), where last year’s winner Cause of Causes (11-4) looks primed for a repeat success. His stable mate, Tiger Roll (5-1), might provide the strongest competition, and could drift to an each-way price.

The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap (4.50) is always fiendishly difficult to unravel, but North Yorkshire’s John Quinn looks to have a decent prospect in Look My Way (14-1), who has been running in some top races this winter. I also like Malaya (12-1) for Nicholls, who has a good record in the race.

Wednesday’s action ends with the Champion Bumper (5.30), and as ever, it might well pay to stick with Mullins. Blackbow (5-1) looks the best of his intended runners, although at a huge price, David Pipe’s Know The Score (33-1) could be interesting.


THURSDAY

Day three starts with the JLT Novices’ Chase (1.30), a race that has fallen apart somewhat in the last few weeks.

If Monalee lines up here, he would have obvious chances, although the trip might be on the short side, especially if the ground is edging towards good. Graham Wylie’s Invitation Only (10-3) looks more of a two-and-a-half mile specialist and tentatively gets the nod, although Finians Oscar (6-1) would be a huge threat if he could tidy up his jumping.

The Pertemps Final (2.10) will be typically frenetic, and the fact it’s currently 8-1 the field underlines just how hard it will be to pick a winner. That said, I could see both Bags Groove (14-1) and Calett Mad (16-1) being involved at the finish at double-figure prices.

This year’s Ryanair Chase (2.50) looks a cracker, although it has lost a bit of its appeal now that Waiting Patiently has been confirmed as a non-runner. Ruth Jefferson always described her stable star as a doubtful participant, but I’d have given him a huge chance if he had lined up.

With Waiting Patiently a late withdrawal, it’s hard to see past last year’s winner, Un De Sceaux (2-1),  although Jefferson’s intended runner, Cloudy Dream (12-1) is much better than his price suggests, and is more than capable of running into a place.

The Stayers’ Hurdle (3.30) is the most open Championship race at the Festival, and it’s possible to make a case for half of the field.

Sam Spinner would be a hugely emotional winner for Middleham trainer Jedd O’Keefe, although it’s possible that December’s Long Walk Hurdle win scaled the limits of his talent.

The Northern Echo:

Supasundae looked good when he beat Faugheen, but I’m not sure he’ll see out the trip if the pace is relentless throughout. I’ve always been a huge fan of Bacardys (12-1), and he’s been re-routed to the Stayers after his jumps career failed to take off. On the pick of his best hurdle form, he’s capable of springing a shock.

The Brown Advisory Plate (4.10) looks to have a worthy favourite in Tully East (7-1), who was a winner at last year’s Festival. Proven Cheltenham form is always a plus, so I’d also be interested in the Nicholls-trained pair Romain De Senam (14-1) and Bouvreuil (16-1) if they were to line up.

The Mares Novices’ Hurdle (4.50) has only been run twice, and on each occasion, has resulted in a short-priced Mullins-trained winner. If the vibes from Clossuton are be believed, Laurina (8-11) will complete the hat-trick with a minimum of fuss.

Day three ends with the Kim Muir Handicap Chase (5.30) for amateur riders, and jockey bookings are generally instructive. Mall Dini (6-1) boasts a strong Festival pedigree and should not be too far away.


FRIDAY

The Triumph Hurdle (1.30) kicks off the final day of the Festival, but while Apple’s Shakira has been the ante-post favourite throughout the winter, this will be a completely different test to anything she has faced so far in her short career. As a result, I’m convinced she’s worth taking on.

As well as training Apple’s Shakira, Nicky Henderson is also responsible for We Have A Dream (10-1), and at the prices, I’d be much more interested in the latter. Mullins boasts three market principles, and while Stormy Ireland (10-1) has only run once over hurdles, she could be absolutely anything on the evidence of her remarkable 58-length win at Fairyhouse.

The County Hurdle (2.10) always boasts a large field, but Bleu Et Rouge (12-1) stands out thanks his second-place finish in the Betfair Hurdle. That looks extremely strong form in the context of this race. At massive odds, Chesterfield (25-1), has been running well in competitive races this season.

The Albert Bartlett (2.50) can often be something of a graveyard for talented young horses’ careers, but in Chef Des Obeaux (5-1), Henderson appears to have unearthed a novice with the right blend of stamina and heart. He looked especially good when he won on horrendous ground at Haydock, and might be pushed closest by his stablemate, Santini (5-1).

This year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) should be a cracker, and it’s possible to make a case for just about every horse in the field.

I’m a huge Might Bite (4-1) fan and am on at double-figures in the ante-post market. He’s probably short enough now, but his triumph in last year’s RSA, when he rallied to beat Whisper from a standing start after wandering all over in the final furlong, marks him out as a truly special talent.

The Northern Echo:

Last year's winner, Sizing John, doesn't run after suffering an injury, but Native River, who was third 12 months ago, would have a huge chance on heavy going. If the ground is anywhere close to good, though, that will almost certainly put pay to his prospects.

I can see Definitly Red getting involved despite also having the Grand National on his agenda, while Road To Respect has produced some decent performances in Ireland this winter. Minella Rocco (20-1) is the forgotten horse in the race though, despite finishing second 12 months ago, and while he’s been in no sort of form since, he’s a completely different proposition on spring ground. I’d definitely give him an each-way shout.

If you’re still searching for your first winner by the time the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (4.10) comes around, you really will be in trouble. Whiskey Sour (12-1) has the ability to get involved at a decent price, while Sandsend (16-1) is also interesting at even bigger odds.

Nicholls regards his Foxhunters Chase (4.50) entry, Wonderful Charm (11-2), as his best chance of a Festival winner, and that’s probably as good a tip as you’re going to get. Caid Du Berlais (10-1) should also be competitive.

Things end with the Grand Annual (5.30), and last year’s winner, Rock The World (12-1) is likely to be there or thereabouts again. Go with him as the winner, and Theinval (12-1) to run into a place.