It’s finally here! The 2017 Cheltenham Festival is upon us and at 1.30pm today, the action ensues for a mouthwatering week ahead. Check out our race by race look-ahead, with analysis, hints and tips for all seven races on Champion Hurdle Day…
13.30pm – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race
Once again Willie Mullins is responsible for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite, this year with a horse called Melon, who’s raced just the once but left a good impression in landing a Leopardstown maiden in January. It remains to seen if he is streetwise enough to win a Supreme on only his second career start, but he clearly has a tall reputation for powerful connections and he’ll have his fans at 7/2 with bet365. If more proven form is your cup of tea, Ballyandy has to enter the fray as a most likely winner on the back of his Betfair Hurdle win last time out. Last year’s Champion Bumper winner is coming into the right kind of form at the right time, he’s as tough as they come and could get the festival off to a flyer for Nigel Twiston-Davies. Among the outsiders, High Bridge and Cilaos Emery make solid each way claims and shouldn’t be too far away.
14.10pm – Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase
Altior is the shortest favourite of the week at 1/4 with bet365 and is just a horse to sit back and enjoy, he’s some beast and hopefully we will see him cement an awesome start to chasing by winning this in style. In terms of a chief threat and a pinch of value in the race, maybe Brian Ellison’s Forest Bihan can get into the frame at big prices after quickening smartly to win at Doncaster last time out. At 20/1 with bet365 he is decent looking value.
14.50pm – Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase
At the top of the market, Champers On Ice catches the eye at 10/1 for this competitive handicap chase, representing last year’s winning trainer David Pipe. There has also been a lot of strong vibes around 2015 winner The Druid’s Nephew who is out of form at the moment but could peak for this off the same mark. Unexposed others to note include Label Des Obeaux and O O Seven, who received an interestingly positive mention by Nico De Boinville at a recent preview evening.
15.30pm – Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
Alan King is well aware of what it takes to train a Champion Hurdle winner and he’ll run the favourite Yanworth (5/2), along with solid outsider Sceau Royal in the 2017 edition. The first named horse was fancied for the Neptune last year but couldn’t quite handle Yorkhill. He’s developed steadily since and this race could bring out the best in him. Buveur D’Air (4/1) and Brain Power (7/1) are completely unexposed at this level and either could go well for Nicky Henderson, who also has My Tent Or Yours (18/1) in the race to keep them all honest. Live outsiders include The New One (14/1) and Footpad (20/1), two horses with different walks of life, but an interesting pair in an open year!
Perhaps Henry de Bromhead’s Petit Mouchoir holds the key at 6/1 with bet365. The 6yo grey has developed into a top class prospect this season, he’ll go hard from the front and if getting into a rhythm, could be hard to pass.
16.10pm – OLBG Mares’ Hurdle Race
LIMINI rates as banker material for the Mares’ Hurdle, having put the finishing touches on her festival prep with an impressive victory over Apple’s Jade last time out. Not a big filly by any means, she is a ball of talent who uses herself very efficiently and has a turn of foot. 11/10 with bet365 so a short price favourite, Limini will be a popular acca pick.
16.50pm – J T McNamara National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
Joseph O’Brien’s EDWULF put it all together last time out in Naas and looks for all the world as though a thorough test of stamina is what he wants. The JP McManus owned 8yo has been steadily supported in the market, is now a 6/1 shot and has a big chance if keeping his jumping together. A Genie In Abottle and Bear’s Affair jump off the page as main dangers, while many of the others will need to improve significantly to the 4m test.
17.30pm – The Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase
Nigel Twiston-Davies rates Foxtail Hill (7/1) as his best chance of a winner which is big talk considering the very decent squad he has assembled this year. He was impressive on festival trials day and a repeat of that display of jumping will see him surely go close. At double figure odds, Nicky Henderson’s Gold Present caught the eye at Kempton Park last time out and any improvement from that 2nd to Frodon would see him run very well here. Favourable mentions for Potter’s Legend and Zamdy Man at 20/1 and 25/1; either could rise to the occasion with a solid effort.
When racing is on ITV Racing, bet365 will update their prices to ensure they’re offering the best odds available on all runners.
Also, if you back a winner at 4/1+ on any race shown live on C4, bet365 will give you a free bet to the same stake on the next live ITV race!
