The Cheltenham Festival is back, and at 1:20pm today the famous roar will rock the town of Cheltenham. Four days of elite national hunt racing, with the British taking on the Irish for the Prestbury Cup. Here is the rundown on day one of the festival.
1:20 – 2m½f Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Nicky Henderson heads the market with Old Park Star, a course and distance winner who is an impressive three from three. The first of the Irish challengers is Talk The Talk, who was unfortunate when falling on his first exploit into Grade 1 company when seemingly having the race won. Showed plenty of ability at the Dublin Racing festival (DRF), to come from midfield and six wide round the bend to win against the highly rated Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey. Mighty Park for Willie Mullins and JP McManus has only had one run over hurdles in maiden company but couldn’t have won that any easier when eased home to win by 38 lengths. Highly regarded by a top yard, well bred and owned by the famous connections. El Cairos is the main runner for Gordon Elliott, faller in a maiden race on debut and was lucky to stay on his feet in another maiden at Thurles. A first step out of maiden company but has plenty of speed, just a question over jumping ability having fell and nearly fallen the last twice.
Verdict: Talk The Talk | El Cairos E/W
2:00 – 2m Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
The two market leaders look to be a class above the field in this. W Mullins runs last years Supreme winner Kopek Des Bordes. Won nicely on chase debut, but as expected, hasn’t been seen on the track since, suffering an injury setback. Reports are he is in fine form at home and should retain all the ability when winning a competitive supreme last year. Lulamba is an opposite tale, with three wins from three runs over the fences. He stepped out of Novice company last time out, and while he looked outpaced and didn’t jump fluidly at points in the race he still won with relative ease. Kargese looks the next best, having been narrowly defeated by Romeo Coolio at the DRF. In receipt of seven pounds for the Mares allowance and will appreciate the good ground.
Verdict: Kopek Des Bordes
2:40 – 2m½f McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
JP McManus is not short of chances, with Saratoga and Manlaga looking most likely. Manlaga is a French recruit who was narrowly defeated on stable debut for Henderson but wasn’t worked too hard when winning the Victor Ludorum at Haydock. The 130 rating looks workable. Saratoga was a smart flat runner before joining Padraig Roche for the national hunt season. Yet to win from three starts but has showed promise each run and looks like a big win is coming, because of this the handicapper may have left some room for her off a mark of 130. Winston Junior can’t be overlooked, and is exciting with Jack Kennedy booked to ride. A second over course and distance behind Minella Study and the form of that looks good. Flew home last time out and made it look very easy, and could improve again.
Verdict: Saratoga E/W
3:30 – 3m1f Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase
JP McManus continues his strong day one with Grand National hope Iroko and Jagwar. The market leader is Jagwar and looked to be top weight until Iroko was declared. Is a few pounds lighter now and that might just help Jagwar’s already strong chances. Won at the festival last year, 2nd and 3rd this season at Cheltenham and the step up to three miles looks a strong plus. Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden saddle Quebecois who at 10st10lbs looks to have strong claims if he can return to his best form. Finishing 2nd by a nose this season at Cheltenham gives hope in what has otherwise been a lacklustre campaign. Imperial Saint looks a striking price at 26/1 with a lot of bookmakers paying out six or seven places. A good ground specialist he has been at his best over three miles this season. He won last time out and is up three pounds but could have more to offer over this staying trip.
Verdict: Jagwar | Imperial Saint E/W
4:00 – 2m½f Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)
Since her declaration Lossiemouth has topped the market. A perfect record at Cheltenham, three time festival winner, winner over two miles and getting the mares allowance it’s fair to see why she’s favourite. Won and lost to fellow rival mare Brighterdaysahead this season. The New Lion splits these two in the market, won over course and distance at trials day and the festival last year over two and a half miles. Not the most impressive, winning narrowly and falling this season at the shorter trip, but plenty of yard confidence. Brighterdaysahead won at the DRF last time out, but she is yet two win from two short odds attempts at Cheltenham. She seems to perform better in Ireland and the worry is this trend may continue.
Verdict: Lossiemouth
4:40 – 2m4f Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase
The Harry and Dan Skelton run Madara who looks to be on good mark at 140. Two nice runs in big field handicap’s at Cheltenham. Ran twice this season on return from a layoff and his improved both times. Last time out it looked like there could be more improvement to come. Downmexicoway has made a fine chaser this season over two miles. Last was seen 3rd of three in a Grade 1 at the DRF and that always looked a big task. However, that run could be seen as good preparation for the festival, and the step up in trip could see more improvement from last time out. Down Memory Lane has showed plenty of ability in his two wins this season, and some solid from behind graded horses. Nowhere in his only big field chase run but did scope dirty, and a big win looks to be on the cards.
Verdict: Madara
5:20 – 3m6f National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase
Elliott’s Kurraso Blue has been backed into favourite on his handicap debut. Only a five-year-old has shown promise when upped in trip the last twice. Could be a stiff task for a young horse carrying 11st8lbs. Backmersackme was very impressive when landing a two and a half mile race at the DRF, on heavy ground. Ran at Cheltenham before when second over three miles, and this extended trip could suit what looks to be a strong stayer. Rebecca Curtis will be hoping to go back to back in this race with Newton Tornado. Looks to have been prepared for this race all season but the question mark comes with jumping, having twice not finished due to jumping errors and one of them around Cheltenham.
Verdict: Backmersackme
