Finally, the Cheltenham Festival has arrived! We have had some slight tweaks to the race program and a move of the last hurdle but fundamentally this is going to be the same best four days in racing we have come to know and love. As ever please gamble responsibly and remember you don’t have to have a bet in every single race.
The Supreme
A real variety of types sit at the front of the betting for this opening race. Old Park Star the favourite has been seen three times over hurdles since joining trainer Nicky Henderson. Wins at Kempton, Sandown and Haydock have been impressive. On the other side of the coin, you have Mighty Park who has just the one run over hurdles next to his name scoring with a facile win at Fairyhouse on soft ground in January. The vibes have been very positive about him and his reputation has really grown thanks in part to the whispers and shouts on the preview circuit. He stands tall and will certainly impress punters when he arrives in the parade ring.
I had hoped Talk The Talk would head to the Turners the longer race on the Wednesday and boosts arguably the best form from his four runs in Ireland this season. I had tipped Mighty Park for this race and Talk The Talk for the Turners. It is tricky now with both clashing. I am anticipating the market will warm to Joseph O Brein’s horse and at the current prices I am going to pick him narrowly over Mighty Park.
1 point win Talk The Talk
The Arkle
The second race on the card has the same trainers at the front of the betting in Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson, and again two horses with different profiles, Kopek Des Bordes who took the Supreme 12 months ago has just raced the once over fences this season whilst the second favourite Lulamba has a far greater body of recent work with three good efforts over fences including a win in open company against more experienced rivals last time out at Newbury.
For me on this occasion I am expecting the race to go to Lulamba and trainer Nicky Henderson. Some have said he is going to be too slow for an Arkle; I think his efforts over hurdles and his Sandown win over fences show that isn’t the case. I far prefer the fact we have proven efforts over fences and believe he can replicate what Sprinter Sacre and Altior have done previously following similar paths to the festival.
1 point win Lulumba
The Fred Winter
As with any of the handicaps at the festival, this puzzle that is the Fred Winter is bound to be a challenge. Never be afraid to have a couple of picks in this type of race and we will do just that. First up is Winston Junior who has the eye-catching jockey booking of Jack Kennedy for Faye Bramley. The horse has a run style that perhaps isn’t best suited to the race but was a notable second here in December to Minella Study who is a popular pick in the Triumph later in the week. His most recent effort was a win making all at Ascot booking his ticket to run here. He for me is certainly one to keep on side.
1 point each-way Winston Junior
The Ultima
A handicap that usual goes to a British based runner, the JP McManus owned horses seem to have a strong grip on this year’s renewal with Jagwar and Iroko at the top of the betting. I’ll take a chance on Quebecois making the frame as an each-way play. Owner Max McNeill would be delighted to win a race sponsored by his own business and we saw this horse run second last time out at Newbury to qualify for this contest. He is best judged for me this season on his second at this track to Jordans Cross in January. That race often throws up strong form from it and the step back up in trip today should suit a horse who has won over hurdles at three miles previously.
1 point each-way Quebecois
The Champion Hurdle
Perhaps lacking a big star but it makes for an interesting betting heat. Many felt Lossiemouth should have taken her chance in this race rather than the mares that she took 12 months ago. She arrives here with added cheekpieces which should aid her chances. Some will point to the fact Brighterdaysahead got the better of her at the Dublin Racing Festival, but I am just not sure that Cheltenham is her track after a couple of beaten efforts at the festival. The New Lion needs to show he is suited to being a top class two-miler still but should be sticking on at the finish. I’ll back Lossiemouth to do what connections should have done last year and run in this race and win it under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins.
1 point win Lossiemouth
The Plate
The race I think which on the day I would probably have the least strong view on. McLaurey looks a bit too short for me to get involved with, and whilst I respect Madara, the other market leader, I am going to sit this one out and advise a no bet from me here.
No Bet
The National Hunt Challenge Cup
The lucky last has changed a little bit over the years in both the trip and the use of full-time riders, I think Walking On Air may just give Harry Cobden a great spin here. Stamina is perhaps a small question having pulled up in the Scottish Grand National over a similar trip. He did place in a Pertemps back in 2023 so has gone well at this Festival previously. 12 months ago he was well supported to win the Kim Muir before after a sticky jump and being hampered he just probably didn’t get the bounce of the ball and weakened two out. If he takes to this trip and gets some luck he can be in the mix over the last.
1 point each-way Walking On Air
