Ones to watch on the opening day of Cheltenham Many articles leading up to the Cheltenham Festival will be outlining horses to watch in the big races each day, so let’s take this opportunity to dig a little deeper into day one. Champion Day. Who should you watch out for in each of the seven races on Tuesday 10th March? Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Whenever you’re looking to place a bet on any horse at the festival, make sure you compare the best Cheltenham Festival betting sites to get the best odds possible. Why take 4/1 on a horse you fancy when another bookie is offering 5/1? Also make sure that the bookmaker is betting non-runner no bet on the race. Many of the betting firms will be offering this concession in the weeks running up to the Festival. Shishkin is the one to watch in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Under the care of Nicky Henderson, Shishkin won with plenty to spare at Huntingdon recently, with his price shortening further for the opening day of premier jumps meeting in March on the back of that win. He also won well at Newbury back in January. There is plenty more to come from this horse and despite being favourite for the opener, we can’t look beyond a win for Shishkin as his proven stamina will ensure he has no issues coming up that final climb to the line. Arkle Challenge Trophy Can you really consider anyone else apart from Notebook here? Well, yes, you probably can, but we’re not. He’s been in scintillating form this winter and followed up some impressive runs with another win at Leopardstown at the start of February which was his second victory in a row at Grade 1 level and for as long as he remains unbeaten over fences he is worth siding with,. Festival Trophy Handicap Chase Colin Tizzard’s excellent gelding, Copperhead, is the type of rapid improver that could still be ahead of the handicapper. He took a while to get the hang of things on the track will little promise in any of his first six races but since returning in January 2019 has rattled off four wins in five races including two in handicap chases. Champion Hurdle The mare we have our eye on here is Nicky Henderson’s Epatante. First in November at Newbury. First on Boxing Day at Kempton. Three in a row at Cheltenham? Barry Geraghty didn’t need to do much as she romped home in her Christmas hurdle win. Many expect more of the same in the Champion Hurdle, which is why she’s favourite to give her trainer an eighth success in the race. Mares’ Hurdle It’s tough to look beyond Benie Des Dieux after her demolition of a high class field at Gowran Park in January and memories of her unlucky run in this race last year but we fancy a little each way punt on last year’s winner Roksana in this one. OK, so she might need a little bit of luck along the way, but when you weigh up the short priced favourite and the odds of Dan Skelton’s mare, there might be a bit of value here. Novices’ Handicap Chase 14 of the last 15 winners of this penultimate race on day one last raced within 45 days. Chosen Mate falls into that category with a win at the end of January at Gowran Park. This will be his handicap debut over fences and, although relatively inexperienced, he is a former point-to-point winner so the step up in trip suit suit. Gordon Elliott will be hoping for a big run from him, and he certainly has the ability to produce the goods on the day. National Hunt Challenge Cup This race is often a tough one to call, but plenty of punters will be hoping to be popping corks with Champagne Classic. 2-1-2-3-2-1-3-1-1-3-2-1-1-2. That’s some solid form since his first run in 2016. He was unlucky at Leopardstown on the 29th of December too, losing out to Battleoverdoyan. It was a very encouraging performance, though, and we should see his class shine through among these novices in the final race on Tuesday. It could cap a wonderful first day for Gordon Elliott. Whatever you may choose to bet on at the Cheltenham Festival this year, enjoy it, soak up the action every single day and as always, bet responsibly.
