Tips for the Cheltenham Festival's opening day

Every horse racing fan has waited and waited to their heart's content and, with aspirations aloft, they can sit back and cherish our beloved festival.

Of course, the racecourse will look rather sombre without the endless swathes of punters lining the grandstands but, on the plus side, we won’t have to pay exorbitant prices for a burger which is far less tasty - and five times as expensive - than a Big Mac from the local high street.

Anyway, without further ado let’s get stuck into the mouth watering array of action on offer on the first day of the festival.

Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle - 1:20

With bookmaker offers galore, the curtain raiser for the four day festival is undoubtedly a huge race for punters. This year, we are met with a well-fancied favourite in the form of the Willie Mullins-trained Appreciate It, who will be aiming to get favourite backers off to a perfect start.

The son of Jeremy was nearly faultless last year, winning two of his three bumpers, and arrived at the festival with similar hopes as the well-backed favourite for the Champion Bumper. Unfortunately, it looks like he bumped into a fairly exceptional stablemate Ferny Hollow and returned to Closutton empty-handed.

This season, the seven-year-old has gone from strength to strength, winning all three of his starts very comprehensively - including two Grade one victories at Leopardstown. In doing so, he dismissed one of his main competitors, BALLYADAM, on two occasions.

The first of which was in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle, when it was clear that Gordon Elliott’s horses were having a torrid time of things and Ballyadam was evidently not good enough on the day.

Follow Jack Dawling Racing on Twitter.

The performance of the ex-Gordon Elliott contender at the Dublin Racing Festival, however, was extremely encouraging, although still finishing three lengths behind Appreciate It.

The six-year-old didn’t get the easiest time of things in-running and had to travel three wide throughout the race. He travelled strongly round the home bend and looked in serious contention to throw down the gauntlet to Appreciate It, but ultimately clattered into the last obstacle and lost all momentum in doing so.

He’s clearly not the greatest jumper of a hurdle, as he’s reminded us on several occasions, but the ever-drying ground should look to eek out any further improvement that could be to come.

Metier demands credit coming from an impressive win in the Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle, but he’s probably the most ground dependent of the main protagonists and the lack of rain could be a worry.

Soaring Glory’s win last time out was very promising, but Betfair Hurdle wins have a notoriously poor record in this so it looks as if he’ll have to step up drastically if aiming to overturn the Irish contingent here.

Indeed, Appreciate It is the one to beat, but doesn’t look any value at the current prices. Bring into the equation that he’s not a two-miler, he’s seven-years-old (seven-year-olds are one from thirty-nine in this) and he’s had a relatively easy time dictating the pace in his previous victories, then I won’t be piling in at such a short price.

I tipped Ballyadam ante-post at 9/1 each-way, but I do think that Ballyadam without Appreciate It looks a cracking price at 3/1.

Of course he’s had the recent switch of yards to Henry De Bromhead (which I think was done at too late a stage to be any hindrance to his chance), and has been staring at Appreciate It’s behind on the last two occasions, but with the hope of drying ground and a race that shouldn’t be run at too fast a gallop, Henry De Bromhead’s new recruit may send shivers into the wallets of favourite backers here.

Selection: BALLYADAM W/O Appreciate It

(At the end of the article I will have a selection summary with advised stakes for the more ‘stake savvy’ of you).

Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase - 1:55

A mere thirty-five minutes after one short-priced favourite has waged war, the Nicky Henderson-trained SHISHKIN will be hoping to put a smile on punters’ faces in the Arkle in what has been touted as the duel of the week.

If you asked the majority of horse racing experts at the turn of the year who was the most likely winner of the festival, I can guarantee the majority would’ve nailed their colours to the mast of this son of Sholokhov.

Since Willie Mullins’ main challenger, Energumene, was unfortunately met with a setback and withdrawn from the festival, then that may still be the case.

Shishkin has illustrated some sublime jumping since switching to the larger obstacles, dismissing his next best rivals by a cumulative forty-four lengths, and the clock has backed that up.

When running at Kempton on the same day as the Desert Orchid Chase, he was around thirteen lengths quicker than leading Champion Chase hope Nube Negra at the line, reinforcing that although he hasn’t beaten much, he oozes class.

Allmankind is his most likely challenger but, given the blistering pace the son of Sea The Moon goes out front, it’s extremely unlikely that he’ll be able to keep up that gallop for the duration of the race.

Selection: SHISHKIN

Festival Trophy ‘Ultima’ Handicap Chase - 2:30

Anyone who has to put up with the torture of following me on Twitter (@_JDRacing) would’ve seen me blabbering on about one of the contenders in the Ultima for some time. However, now Lieutenant Rocco has been withdrawn after being met with a setback on Friday, it rather pains me to look at the race without him.

The Kim Bailey-trained Happygolucky is understandably favourite having won over this course and distance in December. He clearly likes the course having not finished out of the places in his three runs here, but looks quite short given he often hangs left.

In a scratchy affair such as this, it may be worth playing for the places with something at a backable each-way price, and that value may be in AYE RIGHT to go one better than last time.

After his fifth in last year’s RSA the eight-year-old has been running very well without paying dividends, placing on every appearance over obstacles, and could be poised to strike.

Following a very good run in the Charlie Hall chase, finishing third to Cyrname and Vinndication, the son of Yeats finished second in the Ladbrokes Trophy to the Grand National favourite Cloth Cap and, after a run in a Jumpers’ Bumper at Newcastle, ran well again to finish second at Doncaster.

Whilst Lieutenant Rocco will be resting at Nick Mitchell’s yard, Aye Right will hopefully be able to tend to the wounds.

Selection: AYE RIGHT

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy - 3:05

If there’s anything you could wish for in a National Hunt race, the Champion Hurdle has it all. The word ‘blockbuster’ doesn’t even fully justify quite how good this race looks to be.

We have an unbeaten mare, last year’s Champion Hurdle winner and possibly one of the most unpredictable horses on planet earth at the head of affairs, along with a host of top class candidates in behind - if you were to go through every one in detail we’d be here until the Gold Cup.

There is no other place to start than the Henry De Bromhead-trained wondermare who is of course Honeysuckle. Whatever has been put in front of her, she has conquered, be it two Irish Champion Hurdles or a Mares’ Hurdle last year.

What is remarkable about this classy mare is, although she hasn’t yet seen the rear of an opponent at the winning post, there are many who will attempt to get her beaten - unfortunately myself included.

It’s fair to say her optimum trip is at two and a half miles, but considering that’s the case, the performance she put over two miles at the Dublin Racing Festival in February was nothing short of outstanding.

Settling just off the pace, she stalked Petit Mouchoir before taking the race by the scruff of the neck five furlongs out and ran to an unassailable ten length victory.

The other mare who will undoubtedly have a big say is last year’s victor, Epatante, who drew to a comfortable three length victory. Until her performance in the Christmas Hurdle, the Nick Henderson-trained seven-year-old looked destined to have her name etched onto the silver for a second time, easily dismissing her rivals in the Fighting Fifth hurdle.

But, after a rather lacklustre showing in the Christmas Hurdle - jumping without conviction and finding little off the bridle - it would be hard to confidently say that she wasn’t beaten fair and square and she will definitely bounce back.

Then we move onto the bombshell GOSHEN, who seems as predictable as British politics has been in the last year. Since that haunting moment last year when unseating Jamie Moore at the final obstacle when ten lengths clear of his next rival in the Triumph Hurdle, he’s had a topsy turvy campaign.

With two underwhelming runs on the flat in September and October, he was given one more chance for many when going off as the well-backed favourite for the International Hurdle at Cheltenham and, of course, that couldn’t have gone any worse.

Hanging badly right throughout, he was extremely keen and weakened into the last of ten to be beaten a total of twenty-nine lengths by Song For Someone, a catastrophic first run over hurdles this season.

After Gary Moore reported that Goshen’s lacklustre performance was down to his fibrillating heart problem, he skipped a multitude of races before finally lining up in the Kingwell Hurdle to reoppose Song For Someone.

All those who doubted Goshen’s ability were once again hushed, as he brushed aside Song For Someone and Navajo Pass with ease, winning by twenty-two lengths on the bridle - reinforcing his Champion Hurdle hopes.

It seems that the biggest problem the Moore’s have is getting their five-year-old to the racecourse fit and well but, should they get him to Cheltenham in one piece, he’s got a serious chance.

Of course, he has the task of giving Honeysuckle and Epatante 7lb, which is pretty insulting considering the mares would still have a good say without the weight allowance, but he’s clearly a freak of nature.

His performance in the Triumph Hurdle was devastating and, looking back at the form of that with Aspire Tower, Allmankind, Navajo Pass and Hook Up all in behind, then he’d be the one to beat if in that vein of form.

For me, it’s incredibly tough to separate both Honeysuckle and Goshen and my doubt with the mare is I do question whether her jumping will be able survive the test of an all but certain rapid gallop.

In the Irish Champion Hurdle, she was allowed to get into a nice rhythm with nothing more than an even tempo being set. But, with Not So Sleepy being entered into the race, it’s evident that his one-dimensional way of running will be on display again and he’ll rattle off in the lead at a blistering pace, so whether she’ll be able to get into a similar rhythm is a doubt.

Of the rest, Abacadrabras and Sharjah will be hoping to reverse the form with Honeysuckle from the Irish Champion Hurdle, although that seems highly unlikely, and the lack of Patrick Mullins would be a concern for the latter.

Whereas the unknown quantity in the race will be James Du Berlais, who switched to Willie Mullins’ yard from the comforts of Robert Collet’s yard in France. The five-year-old hasn’t yet raced for the master trainer so, although he’s an intriguing candidate, you’d be backing him more speculatively than anything.

Although this is a race with serious depth, it does look to revolve around the main protagonists, and I’m going to opt for Goshen to pull off a Jesus-like reincarnation to land a thrilling Champion Hurdle.

Selection: GOSHEN

Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle - 3:40

The final Grade one of the day comes in the Mares’ Hurdle, where Concertista goes as the well-backed favourite following her cracking win in the Mares Novices’ Hurdle last year.

The Daughter of Nathaniel hasn’t put a foot wrong all year and has notched up two comfortable wins this campaign at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown. She looks the one to beat here, but her price reflects that and I wouldn’t be piling in at such a short price.

Roksana is another top-class contender but, given the ground won’t be to her liking and her optimum trip is over three miles, then it will be best to look elsewhere.

The each way value in the race could rest in the Denise Foster-trained BLACK TEARS, who won comfortably at Punchestown a fortnight ago.

After finishing second in the Coral Cup last year, she put in a below par performance on heavy ground behind Mares’ Chase favourite Elimay at Punchestown, before running with credit at Christmas behind Concertista.

Throughout the race, she sat on the inside of the favourite and was stride for stride with her until the home bend, when inevitably Jack Kennedy had to niggle her along.

The withdrawal of Great White Shark from her most recent win meant that it shouldn’t have taken to much out of her and, at a course which she likes, she could have a say at a good price.

Selection: BLACK TEARS EW

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle - 4:15

As always, the Boodles (or Fred Winter as it was formerly known) is an open affair, with many coming here with a solid chance.

At the top of affairs, Saint Sam sets a good standard for Willie Mullins having bumped into two very good juveniles in Zanahiyr and Quilixios. I couldn’t put anyone off backing him, but considering Willie Mullins has failed to succeed in the Boodles with fourteen runners (with just one contender finishing in the first five), it could be worth looking elsewhere.

The average starting price of the winner of the Fred Winter in the last twelve years is nearly 20/1 so, it may be worth looking at one at a big price who could fill the frame.

There are two which warrant interest at a big price, and the first is the Paul Nicholls-trained Hell Red, arriving here on his second start after a wind operation.

Nicholls has a cracking record in this race, boasting three winners and nine places from just twenty-five runners, and this very unexposed four-year-old will be looking to add to that tally.

On debut, the son of Martaline was second in Auteuil to none other than Paul Nicholls’ 147 rated star juvenile Monmiral, before crossing the Channel to join the Ditcheat-based trainer and duly bolt up by twelve lengths on British debut.

Since then in October, things have gone from bad to worse for this four-year-old, pulling up when sent off a well-fancied favourite in a Triumph Trial, before making a very underwhelming return after a wind operation last month at Wincanton.

The heavy ground may have not been ideal for him and, should he rediscover the promise that he once threatened to, he may be slightly overpriced in conditions which should suit.

A further candidate who could get involved at a price is the Oliver Greenall-trained four-year-old HOMME PUBLIC.

After finishing a neck second to none other than Houx Gris, the son of Cokoriko failed to fire on his first appearance in Britain, finishing just behind Tinnahalla on bottomless ground at Catterick.

From there, he recorded an exceptional win at Market Rasen, jumping accurately before stretching clear on the run in. Off a mark of 125, he could get involved at a good price.

Selection: HELL RED, HOMME PUBLIC

Sam Vester National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase - 4:50

The finale of day one comes in the form of the National Hunt Chase, where punters will either be basking in the glory of a fantastic day, or trying to regain some dignity for the remaining three days.

With Royal Pagaille aiming for the Gold Cup instead of this, the renewal looks to revolve around GALVIN.

Formerly with Gordon Elliott, the son of Gold Well has been impressive over fences since his second to Imperial Aura in the Northern Trust at the Festival last year and made it four out of four for this campaign back in October.

After three cosy wins in Ireland, Galvin stamped his authority on the market with a classy win here in October, jumping with accuracy and picking up well when asked to by Robbie Power. The ground was officially good that day, so the ever-drying ground should suit the seven-year-old down to a tee.

Of course, he’s moved stables very close to the festival and has made the journey over to the yard of Ian Ferguson - who has just one Cheltenham winner to his name with Zemsky in the Foxhunters’ Chase in 2011 - but with the move coming so late to the festival, it’s hard to see that it would make a huge difference to his preparation.

The seven-year-old still looks a very backable price and, given that every Gordon Elliott horse that has crossed the line in this race has won - and Galvin has spent 972 days of his 980 days on the track with the trainer from County Meath - he looks to have a cracking chance here.

The head-scratcher of the race appears to be Next Destination, who has opted to go for this instead of challenging Monkfish in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

Although he should stay the mammoth trip, it’s a worry that his plans have changed so drastically with regards to the trip and will be intriguing to see how he fairs. At around 10/3, however, he is undoubtedly opposable.

Selection: GALVIN

Selection summary with staking advice -

1:20: BALLYADAM W/O APPRECIATE IT - 1.5pts

1:55: SHISHKIN - No bet

2:20: AYE RIGHT - 1pt

3:05: GOSHEN 4/1 - No Bet

3:40: BLACK TEARS - 0.5pts EW (1pt total)

4:15: HOMME PUBLIC - 0.25pts EW (0.5pts total)

4:50: GALVIN - 3pts

Ante-post: Ballyadam 9/1 EW (16th February)