Cheltenham. It’s the biggest Festival of the year, where punters on both sides of the Irish Sea make the pilgrimage to the heart of the Cotswolds, in the shadow of Cleeve Hill, four four days of unrivalled racing pleasure. Day One looks to be a bonanza day for punters with a plethora of stars, both old and new, on show.
Big Race View
Whilst I could take a look at how many lengths Constitution Hill, Lossiemouth or Majborough will win by, I’m focussing on the longest priced favourite of the fab four at Cheltenham today, Kopek Des Bordes. His run at the Dublin Racing Festival was impressive to say the least, but still had a slight twitch of a novice about him. That’s why Willie Mullins has elected to give him a first-time hood, which to stat-loving punters is a death knell. Mullins and first-time headgear do not go well together, but Kopek Des Bordes is bigger than that. He looks fluent and is most feared by those in the Supreme field. He’ll only get shorter on the day.
Aside from Romeo Coolio, at an each-way angle I think Tripoli Flyer has to come into the conversation. He’s a Grade Two winner, winning the Dovecote at Kempton by no less than seven-and-a-half lengths. That was his shortest winning hurdles distance. The ground will be to his liking, some Irish opponents may have wanted it a little softer. If he can iron out some of his jumping, he won’t be far away.
Big Race Bet: Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – Kopek Des Bordes @ 11/10 (William Hill), Tripoli Flyer e/w @ 25/1 (General)
Excellent at Each-way
Looking at the Mares Hurdle, Lossiemouth is possibly the most vulnerable of the fab four on Tuesday. And there’s one consistent runner I had my eye on to win the race, if Lossiemouth went to the Champion Hurdle. July Flower for the Henry de Bromhead team has spent most of her time in France, and placed at Grade One level. But on most recent Irish start, was an impressive four length winner ahead of Jetara and World Of Fortunes, both winning subsequently in different Doncaster races. Now the heavyweight mare Lossiemouth has barged in, she looks an attractive each-way bet on day one.
Excellent Each-way bet: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade One) – July Flower e/w @ 9/1 (General)
Handy Handicap Guide
The best handicap race of the week at Cheltenham, in my opinion, is the Ultima. And the Brits have their best chance of securing this race once again.
The favourite, The Changing Man, ran an excellent race at Ascot, even if the favourite fell at the second fence, he still looked imperious as he jumped his fences and was hardly lent upon to extend from his rivals. He’s more experience than most novices and has ran a consistent season as well. This should put the cherry on top for what is a brilliant horse in the correct race.
Somehow, you can’t ignore course and distance winners at the Festival. Broadway Boy is straight into that category and aims for a first win this season. He wasn’t the greatest jumper last time out on Cheltenham Trials Day, but ignore that run to see he’s placed twice in two hot handicaps, including the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. He looks to have been laid out for this race by the Twiston-Davies team and it would be foolish to ignore him.
And one more to note, Henry’s Friend races for one of the most successful partnerships this season, Ben Jones and Ben Pauling. Not many Saturday’s have gone by this season without them having a winner or two and a Festival win will confirm just what a stellar season they’ve had. Henry’s Friend was an impressive winner of the Mandarin Chase at Newbury following a fifth in the Coral Gold Cup. He’s not been seen since and this looks like another race laid out for him.
Handy Handicap Bets: Ultima Handicap Chas (Premier H’cap) – The Changing Man @ 15/2 (William Hill), Broadway Boy e/w @ 15/2 (BetVictor, Unibet), Henry’s Friend e/w @ 12/1 (BetVictor)
Selections:
13:20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One) – Kopek Des Bordes @ 11/10 (William Hill), Tripoli Flyer e/w @ 25/1 (General)
14:00 – Arkle Challenge Trophy (Grade One) – Majborough @ 8/15 (General)
14:40 – Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – The Changing Man @ 15/2 (William Hill), Broadway Boy e/w @ 15/2 (BetVictor, Unibet), Henry’s Friend e/w @ 12/1 (BetVictor)
15:20 – Mares’ Hurdle (Grade One) – Lossiemouth @ 4/6 (General), JULY FLOWER E/W @ 9/1 (General)
16:00 – Champion Hurdle (Grade One) – Constitution Hill to win by 3+ lengths @ 11/10 (William Hill)
16:40 – Fred Winter Juvenile H’cap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – Puturhandstogether @ 15/2 (William Hill), Murcia e/w @ 12/1 (General), Wendrock e/w @ 18/1 (William Hill)
17:20 – National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase – Captain Cody @ 17/2 (William Hill, Unibet), Stuzzkini e/w @ 28/1 (William Hill), Rock My Way e/w @ 50/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports)
Best of Luck!
