Tuesday marks the beginning of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and a chance for ITV viewers to win their share of £100,000 in the ITV7. Joe Napier has picked his favourites to win each of the seven races, with five from Cheltenham and two from Sedgefield.
How the ITV7 Works
You simply have to pick a horse in each of seven races of ITV’s choosing every day of the Cheltenham Festival. These will include the five televised Cheltenham races each day, as well as two others. For more on how to play the ITV7, and also enter the ITV7 Cheltenham Gold Cup sweepstake, our explainer article tells you more.
Race 1 – 1.30 Cheltenham (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle)
I have already previewed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle for GG, but summing up my selection for the race, I think JERIKO DU REPONET can upset the Irish. He came with a tall reputation this season, as so many of Nicky Henderson’s do, but they almost all deliver in this race. Seven Barrows only seem to have runners in this contest in alternate years, though those in 2020 finished first, third and fifth, while in 2022, he sent out Constitution Hill and Jonbon to finish first and second. While the selection was a tad underwhelming in Grade 2 company at Doncaster last time, the form has worked out better than expected, while he was value for a greater margin of victory. The yard’s form is a concern, but the race should suit, and he is worthy of backing knowing that he should be primed to show his very best.
Race 2 – 1.50 Sedgefield
As is always the case with the ITV7, we have a couple of races elsewhere which require some focus. All three of the previous winners have slight questions to answer after their efforts last time out, but RECOUP’s victory at Ludlow last October looks the strongest form. With wind surgery since and cheekpieces applied, he can improve back to his previous levels, as the ground was likely not the issue when fifth at Musselburgh last month.
Race 3 – 2.10 Cheltenham (Arkle Challenge Trophy)
Much like the Supreme, we have a surprisingly open Arkle to contend with in race 2 of the Cheltenham Festival. Gaelic Warrior drops in trip after disappointing at Leopardstown, but that wasn’t the first time he’s been below par going left-handed. Willie Mullins has strong back-up options though in Il Etait Temps and HUNTERS YARN, with the latter preferred. He also has a slight question mark over his form from Cheltenham last season, when only 12th of 24 in the County Hurdle, but he has looked far more the finished article over fences. But for being asked up at the last on debut, he would be two from two, but that fall need not concern his backers as he has generally jumped well over the larger obstacles to date. In a year with no standout, he may be the one improving the quickest.
Race 4 – 2.30 Sedgefield
Very difficult to trust any in this field implicitly as it is a poor race. There is a chance though that PLAISIR DES FLOS will come into his own in handicaps though for Fergal O’Brien. The winners of his three hurdles starts to date are now rated 127+, with one of those being Supreme Novices’ contender Jeriko Du Reponet. Ultimately, he has now run the requisite number of times for a handicap mark and had shown enough promise in bumpers to suggest he can win races of this nature.
Race 5 – 2.50 Cheltenham (Ultima Handicap Chase)
A handicap in which British-trained runners have an outstanding record given recent Irish dominance, but that may finally end this year. Meetingofthewaters has been purchased by JP McManus and could still be anything for Willie Mullins, but his mark is tough enough, whereas THE GOFFER, who has much greater chasing experience, including in this race last year, races off level weights with him here. Gordon Elliott’s charge has been laid out for this since October, appearing in a charity flat race on his only racecourse showing in 2024 (he won), having finished only mid division in a trio of Grade 3 handicaps. However, Davy Russell was convinced he would win this race on him last year when fourth in an exceptional renewal, and he looks very well-treated on that form off 1lb lower.
Race 6 – 3.30 Cheltenham (Champion Hurdle)
No messing around here, STATE MAN simply looks to have this at his mercy. While some believe he wasn’t at his best in this last season behind Constitution Hill, he was still comfortably runner-up, and probably finished closer to those in behind by virtue of having to chase the winner. He has looked even better this season and is now 10/12 for Willie Mullins overall. Irish Point might give him something to think about, but as long as Paul Townend rides a straightforward race, this should go to the favourite comfortably.
Race 7 – 4.10 Cheltenham (Mares’ Hurdle)
Much like in the Champion Hurdle, we have an odds-on favourite here, with one significant opponent and a host of each-way hopefuls who would have to cause a major upset. Once again, it is worth siding with the favourite, because LOSSIEMOUTH looked to have improved bundles when winning the International Hurdle in January, having already been comfortably the best juvenile hurdler last season. There is an understandable query about how she will settle over 2m4f having never faced this trip, but on ability alone, she is the outstanding mare in the field. It is worth backing her to see out the distance with few issues.
ITV7 At The Cheltenham Festival: How To Play The Free To Enter Game To Win Huge Prizes
All National Hunt eyes will head to Prestbury Park between Tuesday 12th March and Friday 15th March as the 2024 Cheltenham Festival will see the premier jumpers from the UK & Ireland do battle in what are four fabulous days of top quality action. The ITV7 will be running every day at the Cheltenham Festival…
Sat 09 Mar 2024