It has been a year of incredible events since the last Cheltenham Festival.
Of course this year, sadly, there will be no traditional roar when the tapes go up for the first race.
Nevertheless most horse racing fans will be at home watching the great spectacle unfold on the television.
The ground looks likely to be soft and this has to be taken into consideration when making your selections.
Day One starts us off with The Supreme Novices Hurdle (1.20). The short priced favourite is the Willie Mullins trained Appreciate it (nap) and not without good reason. Having won two Group 1 races already this season he will relish the soft ground and Mr Mullins is taken to land this prize for his seventh time. Our each way selection is another of Willie Mullins inmates – Blue Lord.
For the Arkle Chase (1.55) last year’s Supreme Novices Hurdle winner, Shishkin, will be an extremely short price as he returns to Prestbury Park. Defeat looks out of the question if his jumping holds up. Each way selection is Franco De Port who ran well in defeat last tine out and may have improved since then.
The Ultimo Handicap Chase (2.30) gives us the opportunity for a couple of each way selections in what is a wide open contest.
In addition to being clerk of the course at Hamilton Park, Harriet Graham, is also a highly skilled trainer. I have already put a few quid on her charge, Aye Right, for the Scottish National and he has a strong chance here. Milan Native won here last year. Although his form has been sketchy since, a return here may see him shine.
The feature race of the day is the Champion Hurdle (3.05) and I cannot oppose the hot favourite Honeysuckle. She is unbeaten and gets a seven pound allowance from the male horses.
The incredibly talented Rachael Blackmore takes the ride and this female team will be difficult to beat. Goshen was incredibly unlucky here last year (Triumph Hurdle) when unseating his rider at the last hurdle when ten lengths in front. He has had issues this year but he returned to winning ways last month and, if he has retained his ability from last season , he may run into a place.
The Mares Hurdle (3.40) sees Concertista return to the track where she won the Dawn Run last year. She is unbeaten this season and I expect her record to remain in tact after tomorrow. Our each way selection is Indefatigable who has lost her way a bit this season but a return to her beloved Cheltenham, and a recent wind operation , may see a return to form.
The penultimate race of the day is the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (4.15). The horse that has been the talk of many a zoom meeting in the last month or so is Houx Gris. Allegedly this equine beauty has improved immensely since last seen on a race track. I am jumping on this train and hopefully all the chat will be proven to be correct. With some bookies paying six places I believe Balko Saint represents good each way value at around 33/1.
If we are looking to get out of jail, the National Hunt Challenge Cup (4.50) provides us with a rather difficult task. Galvin was unlucky last year finishing second in the Novices Chase. He has been unbeaten this year and jumps like a stag. The only worry for me is that he has never ran over this distance and the final half mile will see me watching through cracks in my fingers. Snow Leopardess looks a staying type and she warrants an each way shilling at around 16/1.
Then it is off to bed to prepare for day two. Good Luck!
