It’s set to be an epic opening day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday afternoon with the likes of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle Challenge Trophy and Champion Hurdle taking centre stage. In association with the Tote we are trying to land the Tote Placepot and pick out our selections for the first six races on the card at Prestbury Park.
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Leg 1: 1.30pm – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Leg 1 Selections: (8) Mystical Power
Last seen claiming victory in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown back in January, Mystical Power is bred to be an absolute superstar and he can claim victory in the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at 1:30pm. The unbeaten son of Annie Power and Galileo is unbeaten in two hurdles starts to date and looks to be the next star of the Willie Mullins production line and he can get us off to a flying start.
Leg 2: 2.10pm – Arkle Challenge Trophy
Leg 2 Selections: (10) Quilixios
A hugely competitive renewal of the Arkle Challenge Trophy, where the Irish have a significantly strong hand in the 2m Grade 1 contest and it’s Gordon Elliott’s Quilixios that can bound to glory. A former winner of the Triumph Hurdle at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, the seven-year-old was an impressive winner over the decent Sa Fureur last time out at Naas and while he has to improve again he’s certainly one that should grab a top three spot.
Leg 3: 2.50pm – Ultima Handicap Chase
Leg 3 Selections: (5) Monbeg Genius, (13) Victtorino
With a field of 20+ runners lining up for the first handicap of the week, the Ultima Handicap Chase, then it’s probably wise to put two selections in your Tote Placepot perm. Third in the race last season behind the subsequent Grand National winner Corach Rambler and multiple Grade 1 winner Fastorslow, Monbeg Genius will be looking to run a big race again. He’s 7lbs higher and has been relatively disappointing this season, but a return to Cheltenham could see him at his best. Victtorino was in great form for Venetia Williams earlier in the season and the six-year-old is another at decent odds that could run well here.
Leg 4: 3.30pm – Champion Hurdle
Leg 4 Selections: (6) State Man
With Constitution Hill unfortunately not lining up in this year’s Champion Hurdle then it’s left the door wide open for State Man to claim his second Cheltenham Festival success. A winner of the County Hurdle back in 2022, he then chased home Constitution Hill in last season’s Champion and he’s been the dominant hurdler on Irish shores this campaign racking up a few more Grade 1 crowns. A red-hot, odds-on favourite, the Willie Mullins-trained star is a cut above his rivals and should cruise to success.
Leg 5: 4.10pm – Mares’ Hurdle
Leg 5 Selections: (6) Lossiemouth
A tremendous winner of the International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Trials Day, Lossiemouth is a horse that should arguably lining up in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, but the Mullins team have opted to send the mare to the Mares’ Hurdle, which is a race that lacks significant depth. Foot-perfect when winning the Triumph Hurdle last season at Cheltenham, the five-year-old was sublime on her run at Prestbury Park back in January and while she is stepping up in trip here she should have too much class for her rivals.
Leg 6: 4.50pm – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Leg 6 Selections: (7) Milan Tino, (10) Nara
We end the Placepot with a hugely competitive renewal of the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle and it’s another contest that you need to pick more than one selection. Beaten 11 lengths by Sir Gino in the Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham in January, Milan Tino is sent down the handicap sphere here and off 126 has to be a leading contender. Henry De Bromhead’s Nara like Milan Tino will be wearing the JP McManus silks and the Irish raider has only had two runs this season and the four-year-old mare should improve again and is a player at decent odds!
Suggested Placepot Selections For Day 1 Of Cheltenham Festival On Tuesday 12th March
Leg 1 Selections: (8) Mystical Power
Leg 2 Selections: (10) Quilixios
Leg 3 Selections: (5) Monbeg Genius, (13) Victtorino
Leg 4 Selections: (6) State Man
Leg 5 Selections: (6) Lossiemouth
Leg 6 Selections: (7) Milan Tino, (10) Nara
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