The wait is over, the 2021 Cheltenham Festival is finally here.
Months of preparation from trainers, jockeys and horses come down to four days of top class sport in the Cotswolds.
On day one, Honeysuckle and Epatante clash in the feature race, the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
The going is now soft after 10mm of rain unexpectedly fell overnight on Sunday – but a predominantly dry week is forecast.
Mirror Racing's top tipster Newsboy has picked out his five best bets for the week:
METIER - Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 1.20 Tuesday.
Smart on the Flat and now rewarding Harry Fry’s patience - a plan to run in last year’s Triumph Hurdle was shelved because Metier wasn’t ready - with three wins over obstacles.
Stepped up to the top level for taking victory in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January and rates a real threat to market leader Appreciate It.
ROKSANA - Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, 3.40 Tuesday
Handed the race two years ago when Benie Des Dieux came down at the final flight, but capable of winning it without needing misfortune to befall others.
Wouldn’t have looked out of place contesting the Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday - and that’s a significantly stronger race than this.
BRAVEMANSGAME - Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, 1.20 Wednesday
Comparisons with Denman - made by the pair’s trainer Paul Nicholls - are premature at this early stage.
But the way Bravemansgame stormed to victory in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December marked him out as a horse capable of reaching the top.
PAISLEY PARK - Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, 3.05 Thursday
Imperious in victory two years ago, Emma Lavelle’s grinder saw his title defence derailed by atrial fibrillation in 2020.
But the evidence of his two runs against the absent Thyme Hill suggest the former champion is back to (very near) his best and that should be good enough.
TRITONIC - JCB Triumph Hurdle, 1.20 Friday
Owner Max McNeill has yet to see his colours carried into the Cheltenham Festival winner’s enclosure - but the wait may soon be over.
Alan King prepped Penzance for the Triumph in Kempton Park’s Adonis Juvenile Hurdle in 2005, and Tritonic’s victory there last month took the eye.
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