On Tuesday 13th March, the 2018 Cheltenham Festival gets underway for the 158th time. The roars of the crowd will be heard throughout Gloucestershire at 1:30 as the horses start in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
There are four Grade One prizes available on the first day, alongside two of the most prestigious handicap races as well as the showpiece race of the day, the Champion Hurdle at 3:30.
Here are our expert tips for the day’s racing.
1:30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One) 2m ½f
GETABIRD rightly comes into this one as the favourite at 11/8 after winning the Moscow Flyer. The Willie Mullins-trained horse has looked very impressive in the build-up to this year’s festival and let’s not forget that Mullins has won this race three times in the last five years.
There’s each-way value in SUMMERVILLE BOY (10/1) and CLAIMANTAKINFORGAN (14/1), but there’s a very strong case for MENGLI KHAN (12/1) to push Getabird all the way to the finish. Trained by Gordon Elliott who had great success at Cheltenham last year, the horse has dominated the novice ranks so far this season and has won at both Navan and Fairyhouse. However, he came second to Getabird back in January. He has the best form coming into this race and is very well-valued. It’s best to get on this one early before the price drops.
Supreme Novices Hurdle Tip: MENGLI KHAN E/W, 12/1
2:10 Arkle Challenge Trophy (Grade One) 2m
There are plenty of contenders for this year’s Arkle with SCEAU ROYAL (5/1) having past form on this track and winning the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown Park. SAINT CALVADOS (10/3) won the Kingmaker last month and is another that’ll be well-backed come the start of the race.
However, FOOTPAD (11/8) heads the betting and it’s not hard to see why. He won the Grade One at Leopardstown on Boxing Day and held off the challenge of PETIT MOUCHOIR (9/4) in Dublin, who’s the second favourite in the Arkle.
Arkle Challenge Trophy Tip: FOOTPAD 11/8
2:50 Festival Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m1f
GOLD PRESENT (15/2) won earlier this year at a heavier weight than he currently is, but this will be a tough race if he’s to make it two wins this year.
One to watch out for is ALPHA DES OBEAUX (25/1), who’s yet to officially confirm participation in this year’s Handicap Chase, but if he does, then he stands a very good chance of winning. However, as trainer Mouse Morris hasn’t announced whether he’s running or not, SINGLEFARMPAYMENT (10/1) is a solid bet ahead of this race. He finished as the runner up in last year’s Handicap Chase, only losing in the dying strides. He took part in the Ladbrokes Trophy as well, but fell with three to go until the finish.
Festival Handicap Chase Tip: SINGLEFARMPAYMENT 10/1
3:30 Champion Hurdle (Grade One) 2m ½f
BUVEUR D’AIR (1/2) is this year’s outstanding candidate to win the Champion Hurdle and he stands ahead of all his rivals in the hurdling ranks. He’s won all three of the races that he’s participated in this season, including winning the International Hurdle by a distance. Other victories have come at Newcastle and Sandown.
MY TENT OR YOURS (10/1) has a good record in this race, while FAUGHEEN (11/2) also can’t be discounted. But this race is Buveur D’air’s to lose.
Champion Hurdle Tip: BUVEUR D’AIR 1/2
4:10 David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle (Grade One) 2m4f
Last year’s Mares Hurdle was one of the most exciting races of the week and former winner Vroum Vroum Mag was retired just a week ago, turning down a third consecutive appearance in the Mares’ Hurdle returning for a third consecutive year. Her stablemate BENIE DES DIEUX (6/1) has entered though, but she’s still unproven after returning to hurdling.
APPLE’S JADE (8/13) is the defending champion and she returns to defend her crown. Since her success in last season’s race, she’s got even better and won the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse in impressive fashion. She also won at Leopardstown in the Christmas Hurdle, but hasn’t appeared since. She’s the favourite and will likely demonstrate that in this race.
David Nicholson Mares Hurdle Tip: APPLE’S JADE 8/13
4:50 National Hunt Chase (Grade 2) 4m
Gordon Elliott is likely to put JURY DUTY (6/1) into the National Hunt as he looks to retain the title that he won as trainer last year with Tiger Roll. DOUNIKOS (11/2) has a Grade Two victory to his name this season and a fourth-place finish in the Flogas Novices’ Chase in Ireland.
Anthony Honeyball’s mare, MS PARFOIS (14/1), won at Cheltenham last year and is at a good each-way price, but the Colin Tizzard-trained ELEGANT ESCAPE (5/1) is the one to watch in this four-mile race. In his first five races, Elegant Escape has won twice and finished second on three occasions and also won the Grade Two John Francombe back in November. It depends on the jockey that’s riding him, but it it’s a good one, then Elegant Escape will be tough to beat in this year’s National Hunt.
National Hunt Chase Tip: ELEGANT ESCAPE 5/1
5:30 Novices Handicap Chase (Listed) 2m 4 ½f
DE PLOTTING SHED (5/1) is coming over from Ireland for the Novices Handicap Chase this year and he leads the betting market by BARNEY DWAN (8/1), who’s won his two most recent races over larger obstacles.
MISTER WHITAKER (14/1) is at any appealing price, but KALONDRA (14/1) could give Neil Mullholland his first winner at Cheltenham. He won on his chasing debut and followed it up with a second-place finish to Modus in the Rising Stars at Wincanton. He was soundly beaten as he made his first appearance in a Grade One, but is much more comfortable dropping down a weight class.
Novices Handicap Chase Tip: KALONDRA E/W, 14/1
*Please note all odds subject to change
