Champion Day. Finally Day One of the Cheltenham Festival is upon us. I’m heading to Prestbury Park bright and early, so a brief post with a full set of selections across every race, with advised stakes how I’m playing the races. A treble across three shorter selections and then five solid Each-Way bets at double-figures.
Handstands @ 14/1
1pt Each-Way | Cheltenham 15:20 – Ultima Handicap Chase
O’Moore Park @ 18/1
1pt Each-Way | Cheltenham 16:40 – Plate Handicap Chase
Holloway Queen @ 18/1
1pt Each-Way | Cheltenham 17:20 – National Hunt Challenge Cup
13:20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Talk The Talk 9/2
Fairyhouse Royal Bond in November a decent yardstick to this (Kocktail Brut/Blake). 1st + 2nd later well held by Ballyfad and Talk The Talk in Leopardstown Tatts’ Novice in Feb. Irish: El Cairos/Ballyfad/Talk The Talk. El Cairos jumping has looked debatable and Supreme pace will test that to the max. UK: Old Park Star/Mydaddypaddy… Leaning Irish on this.
14:00 – Arkle Novices’ Chase – Mambonumberfive 33/1 Non-Runner
Take on Romeo Coolio no matter. Mambonumberfive worth a tickle E/W – Done nothing wrong over fences until complete non-starter at Warwick in small field heavy ground. Those can be forgiven. Was only going to go if Ben Pauling felt he was in top form, and this was his toughest entry. Likely a two-horse race, though.
14:40 – Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Mustang Du Breuil 11/1
Very much lastminute.com for this, with a late late plan with a big Dovecote run just nudging him into this. The Dovecote form will hold rock solid. So long as this hasn’t come too soon (entry suggests they are happy as Henderson doesn’t take many chances) then a big chance.
15:20 – Ultima Handicap Chase – HANDSTANDS 11/1
Graded horse in a Handicap. Was a serious tout for the Gold Cup. Season hasn’t panned out but that’s why he just gets in here at the top of the handicap.
16:00 – Champion Hurdle – Lossiemouth 7/4
Lossiemouth vs The New Lion – TNL will be mowing up the hill but will he catch her? Mares’ allowance looks to powerful here for me. Lossiemouth.
16:40 – Plate Handicap Chase – O’MOORE PARK 18/1 + No Questions Asked 16/1
Ran 3rd (66/1) behind Caldwell Potter off 140 then followed it up month later back at Cheltenham when 2nd to Riskintheground off same mark. Goes here off 141. Loved his run in 5th behind Favori De Champdou in Leopardstown Paddy Power Chase in December. Handicaper could’ve reacted to that, but hasn’t.
No Questions Asked has been one I’ve wanted to back wherever they went at the festival. Really nicely campaigned into this, love the Viroflay form and think this could be another Shakem Up’arry for Ben Pauling.
17:20 – National Hunt Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase – HOLLOWAY QUEEN 16/1
A mare I’ve followed all winter. She doesn’t do anything quickly but she is relentless, which should really suit Cheltenham. If she is in contention at the foot of the hill, she will be as tough as any up it.
Best of luck with your punting today,
