Cheltenham Festival is upon us with around 250,000 spectators expected over the course of the week to pass through the gates at Prestbury Park.
6mm of rain fell overnight with the Cross-Country course due to have an inspection this morning as a result.
The Jockey Club, who own the Cheltenham Racecourse, say both the Old and New Course “have taken the rain well”.
The going is now soft, heavy in places for today’s action.
Race ONE: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (race starts at 1.30pm)
Irish trainer Willie Mullins is searching for 100 Festival victories this week with only six required to make three figures. He’ll have significant interest in the first race of the Festival as Tullyhill (10/3 Fav) and Mystical Power (7/2) lead the betting.
TIPS: Firefox (6/1) – Gordon Elliott trained 6-year-old finished 4th at Naas in January but comes here in good form prior to that. Four from four in 2022 in Ireland but is making his Cheltenham debut today.
Race TWO: My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Novices’ Chase (race starts at 2.10pm)
Gaelic Warrior goes into the Arkle as the hot favourite with trainer Mullins and jockey Paul Townend looking to make a quick start the week. Il Etait Temps will fancy his chances having won at Leopardstown last month.
TIPS: Gaelic Warrior (2/1 Fav) – Finished second at Cheltenham last year in the Supreme Novices’ Chase to Impaire Et Passe. Unseated rider at Leopardstown in February but has good pedigree despite last month’s poor showing.
Race THREE: Ultima Handicap Chase (race starts at 2.50pm)
The Grade 3 Ultima often is an open race and this year is no different. The Gaffer, Meetingofthewaters, Trelawne, and Chianti Classico all have strong chances in the third race of the day at Cheltenham.
TIPS: Meetingofthewaters (13/2 Fav) – Finished first of 27 at Leopardstown on December 27, 2023 but hasn’t featured much since. Has collected over £107,000 in prize money chasing.
Race FOUR: Unibet Champion Hurdle (race starts at 3.30pm)
Day One’s most anticipated race but hampered due to Constitution Hill’s absence. State Man looks set to dominate, Irish Point (11/2) and Iberico Lord (10/1) will be his closest challenger.
TIPS: State Man (4/11 Fav) – Difficult to see past State Man considering the absence but important for the Mullins trained horse to get the job done. A winner at the Cheltenham Festival once before as well as red-hot form going into the Champion Hurdle.
Race FIVE: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (race starts at 4.10pm)
Lossiemouth is expected to run well under the formidable pairing of trainer Mullins and jockey Townend. 8-year-old Love Envoi is well-priced at 10/1 but finished 9 and ½ lengths behind Lossiemouth at Cheltenham in January.
TIPS: Lossiemouth (8/11 Fav) – Another strong favourite for this race sees Lossiemouth widely tipped to perform well. Ashroe Diamond is an Aintree winner but the Cheltenham crowd is yet to see the Irish horse.
Race SIX: Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (race starts at 4.50pm)
Milan Tino tops the betting at 11/2 but it’s another open race – this time not set to be dominated by Mullins. He is well liked but there’s no shortage of alternatives in this race.
TIPS: Lark In The Mornin (8/1) – Joseph Patrick O’Brien trained 4-year-old, widely liked and expected to run well on handicap debut.
Race SEVEN: Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase (race starts at 5.30pm)
Always a difficult race to judge, a small but competitive field. Embassy Gardens (15/8 FAV) and Corbetts Cross are well-fancied.
TIPS: Salvador Ziggy (9/1) – Not raced since October, but has raced well at Cheltenham in previous outings. A second in the Festival back in 2023. Expected to run better than his odds suggest.
Stay up to date with all the race updates, news and features here on the Park Life Sport website throughout the week.
