The first day of the Cheltenham Festival features no fewer than four grade one races, including the feature Champion Hurdle.
In the first of four Cheltenham day-by-day previews, Standard Sport looks at the key contests on Tuesday, and provides tips for all seven races.
Champion Hurdle – 3:30pm
Nicky Henderson’ two-time winner Buveur D’Air is chasing a historic hat-trick that would see him become only the sixth horse to win the sport’s most prestigious hurdle race three times. His defeat to Verdana Blue at Kempton on Boxing Day has done little to appease those who feel he has been the beneficiary of a weak division over the past two seasons, despite that loss being the only blemish on the formbook in his last 13 runs.
There is little doubt though, that this will be the toughest Champion Hurdle field he has faced, thanks in large part to the diversion of Apple's Jade away from the Mares’ Hurdle to contest this race. Gordon Elliott’s star has been in stunning form this season, winning her four starts by a combined distance of 73 lengths, including the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out.
Willie Mullins’ exciting prospect Laurina clearly has bags of potential, and is being talked up as an X-factor horse, but it’s hard to be bullish about a mare who has never run in anything like this company and does not look to have the speed to go with the big two.
The fast-improving Espoir D’Allen would appeal as a potential outsider, were he not under the same ownership as Buveur D’Air – it seems reasonable to assume the five-year-old would not be running if connections thought he had a serious chance of denting the historic treble bid.
Big race verdict: Head says Apple's, heart says Buveur. I’ll go with the mare. The omission of the final flight in the Irish equivalent allowed Apple's Jade to make the run-in a real test of stamina from a long way out, and she may not get the same luxury here, but Buveur has to give her a 7lb allowance and that could be too much.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – 1:30pm
The first race of the festival looks as tough as any to crack, with a strange season in terms of ground conditions and the equine flu outbreak meaning several have had fewer runs than we’d like.
Fakir D’oudairies looks a strong bet, getting weight off all of the older horses, but is short enough now.
My original selection was Elixir De Nutz, but he was declared a late non-runner on Monday evening, so I'll side with Klassical Dream of Willie Mullins'. He won well at the Dublin Racing Festival on ground he wouldn't have loved, and will benefit from a bit of cut in the surface here. The fact that they've decided to keep him here, with Ruby Walsh on board, rather than run him in the Ballymore suggests the yard like his chances.
Arkle Challenge Trophy – 2:10pm
Given the last four winners of this race have been Un De Sceaux, Douvan, Altior and Footpad, this will almost certainly be a below-par renewal, not helped by the withdrawal of ante-post favourite Le Richebourg through injury.
I like Glen Forsa here. Lalor sparkled on the course in November, but you wonder whether he’ll be able to recreate that form after a disappointing run next time out and a long absence. Glen Forsa, who started the season as a handicapper, looks the more solid horse and in an average-looking field that could well be enough.
David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle – 4:10pm
With Laurina and Apples Jade heading for the Champion Hurdle, it’s hard to look past last year’s winner, Benie Des Dieux. She hasn’t had a run yet this season, but will have been trained with this day in mind, and jockey Ruby Walsh says she’s his best chance of a winner at the festival.
Full day one tips
You can see the full racecard and odds here.
| 1:30pm | Klassical Dream |
| 2:10pm | Glen Forsa |
| 2:50pm | Mister Whitaker |
| 3:30pm | Apple's Jade |
| 4:10pm | Benie Des Dieux |
| 4:50pm | A Plus Tard |
| 5:30pm | Ballyward |
All odds quoted are Betfair. The Betfair Exchange had the best odds on every winner at the Cheltenham Festival last year. Small Details. Big Results at Cheltenham with Betfair. BSP v ISP. Exchange win market only. BSP is a win only calculation. 5% commission deducted. Further charges may apply. T&Cs Apply.
