There are three other big races on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival besides the Champion Hurdle which we’ve already previewed in full. We have the Supreme Novices which begins the meeting, the Arkle and the Mares Hurdle. Here is our preview of those three races.
1.30: Supreme Novices Hurdle
The opening race of the Festival and I honestly don’t see a stand out candidate. Willie Mullins bids to get off to a flyer, running 4 but I’m not overly keen on any. Melon is the talking horse but inexperience is an issue having only run over hurdles once. His price is not reflective of what he’s done on the track but he is Ruby Walsh’s pick so must be respected. Bunk Off Early has good form but, like Crack Mome, was beaten last time out and that’s not usually a good pointer in this race.
Of the challengers from this side of the pond, Ballyandy is surely the one to be on. He won the Bumper 12 months ago and ran a great race when taking the Betfair Hurdle last time out. His price is a little short at 7/2 but might be the one to be on for win purposes. River Wylde has been running well but that’s all been at sharp tracks and, with a strong pace likely, his tank could be running on empty off the final turn.
At a big price, I’m preferring the chances of Alan King’s Elgin. He’s a horse that will like the ground and appreciate the stiffer test of Cheltenham. He’s finished 2nd on each of his last 2 runs but both times he was giving 3lb to the winners; one being River Wylde who is a quarter of Elgin’s price here and the other being the Neptune favourite Neon Wolf. Conditions are definitely in our horse’s favour and with question marks over many of his rivals, I fancy him to reach the frame.
Tips
Back Elgin ‘without Melon and Ballyandy’ (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-3)
Back it here:
1.30: Supreme Novices Hurdle – Bookies Offers
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PADDY POWER
NEW CUSTOMERS
MELON TO WIN THE SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE – A HUGE 20/1
13:30 Tuesday
Click on the banner to bet on Melon. See Paddy Power for full details.
BETFAIR
NEW CUSTOMERS – DAY ONE
MELON TO WIN THE SUPREME NOVICE HURDLE – A HUGE 20/1
OFFER ENDS – TUESDAY 14th MARCH AT 13.30.
Click on the image to open an account with Betfair and back Melon. See Betfair for full details.
2.10: Arkle
I think we all know that Altior will win if he stays on his feet. At long odds on, he’s well in no bet territory. The only angle, therefore, is to look at the ‘without Altior’ market and there’s some value especially in a field of just 8 runners.
Charbel is the most likely danger to Altior but the concern is that he goes off too hard as a front runner in a bid to unsettle Altior. I just think he’ll run out of gas at the business end. The Irish run 4 and the best chance appears to Mullins’ one, Royal Caviar. He’s done nothing to convince; won his first chase when odds on and looked set to take the Irish Arkle before falling at the last leaving Some Plan to come home in his own time. However, you must not forget there were only 4 runners and half of them had fallen early doors. It’s not a race to take much notice of.
Henry De Bromhead saddles the other 3 Irish runners, Some Plan the most fancied in the market but that’s based on that win in the Irish Arkle, form I’m ignoring. Three Stars has finished behind Ordinary World and it’s the latter that holds the best chance of De Bromhead’s 3. He jumps well and will appreciate the drying ground. His form is ok, finishing behind Min and Identity Thief on his last 2 starts.
A novice chase at the end of January at Doncaster looks to be the key in the ‘without Altior’ market. A 4 runner race were the first 3 home all reoppose here; Forest Bihan got the better of Cloudy Dream and A Hare Breath that day but I expect a different result here. Cloudy Dream is better off at the weights and is the one to be on today. He travels very well in his races and needs a good gallop which he will get here. The better ground suits and I think he’s got a massive chance here, especially judged on his 2nd to Buveur D’Air at Haydock, giving the winner 8lb that day on ground much too soft for the selection.
Tips
WON – Back Cloudy Dream ‘without Altior’ (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 6.50 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-3)
Back it here:
2.10: Arkle – Bookies Offers
BETFAIR
NEW CUSTOMERS – DAY ONE
ALTIOR TO WIN THE ARKLE – A HUGE 12/1
OFFER ENDS – TUESDAY 14th MARCH AT 14.10.
Click on the image to open an account with Betfair and back Altior. See Betfair for full details.
PADDY POWER
NEW CUSTOMERS
ALTIOR TO WIN THE RACING POST ARKLE CHALLENGE TOPHY CHASE
A MASSIVE 6/1
14:10 Tuesday
Click on the banner to bet on Altior. See Paddy Power for full details.
4.10: Mares Hurdle
One of the best races on Day 1 of the Festival but despite there being 18 runners, it’s appears to be a straight battle between the 3 market leaders; Limini, Vroum Vroum Mag and Apples Jade.
Willie Mullins trains the first 2 in that 3-horse shortlist and he’s been responsible for the winner in each of the last 8 runnings of this, including 6-time winner Quevega. Limini, for me, is the standout candidate here and despite the short price, it’s a price I’m happen to get involved with. She’s a winner of 4 of her 6 hurdle starts including at the Festival 12 months ago. She couldn’t have been more impressive that day and she matched that when reappearing in February at Punchestown and getting the better of Apples Jade. She travels so well in her races and the fact she disposed so easily of Apples Jade on her one and only run this term makes her very difficult to beat today. She almost went for the Champion Hurdle so it’s clear to see what connections think of her and she ranks a very strong bet.
Vroum Vroum Mag won this year and her race record is incredibly impressive. However, this is probably her toughest assignment to day and the way she scrambled home at long odds on last time is not the ideal prep race. Ruby Walsh also deserts her for Limini and I think that’s the right decision.
At the prices, I think Apples Jade will be a popular each way selection. Readily brushed aside in the Triumph Hurde last year by Ivanovich Gorbatov but reversing the form next time out at Aintree suggests a flatter track may be more suitable. Whilst the better ground should be more in her favour today, I still think it will take a monumental effort to lower the colours of Limini.
As for the rest, I don’t see any being anywhere near good enough with the possible exception of Jers Girl.
Tips
Back Limini to win for a 4/10 stake at 2.63 Betfred BOG
Back her here:
4.10: Mares Hurdle – Bookies Offers
BETFAIR
NEW CUSTOMERS – DAY ONE
LIMINI TO WIN THE MARES HURDLE – A HUGE 10/1
OFFER ENDS – TUESDAY 14th MARCH AT 16.10.
Click on the image to open an account with Betfair and back Limini.
See Betfair for full details.
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