Day one of many Festival delivered some cracking winners and set the tone properly for the week forward.
Outdated Park Star was a well-liked winner within the opener, ending strongly in a race that regarded a three-way battle after the final. He confirmed loads of coronary heart up the well-known Cheltenham hill to get the job executed.
Kargese was the shock bundle within the Arkle for me. A lot of the pre-race discuss centred round Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba, however Kargese finally regarded the category act within the area and travelled like the very best horse all through.
Johnywho within the Ultima was notably spectacular. Off form coming into the race, however the software of cheekpieces and a current wind operation appeared to do the trick. He was given a assured trip and powered clear to win nicely.
Lossiemouth rounded issues off in type. Turning for house, I used to be barely involved with Brighterdaysahead travelling strongly, however Lossiemouth’s slick leaping, tempo and sophistication instructed within the closing levels as she asserted up the hill.
Personally, three winners from six alternatives wasn’t a foul return for day one. Johnywho at 18/1 was the standout tip, and it was an incredible consequence.
Now consideration turns to Day Two, the place the cardboard options some fascinating contests.
Turners Novices’ Hurdle
Large fields at Cheltenham can at all times throw a spanner within the works, however Ballfad for Gordon Elliott catches the attention.
He was unbeaten till his most up-to-date run at Leopardstown Racecourse, the place he was overwhelmed by Discuss The Discuss. Nevertheless, his pedigree suggests this step up in journey ought to go well with completely.
One of many largest positives is his expertise in giant fields. He gained in December in a 21-runner contest and completed second in a Grade 1 with a area of 12, precious expertise for a race of this nature.
Elliott is aware of precisely what it takes to land a Cheltenham winner, and Ballfad seems a horse who has been campaigned with this race firmly in thoughts. If he settles right into a rhythm, he ought to journey nicely and keep on strongly up the hill below Jack Kennedy.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
That is at all times one of many standout staying novice chases of the Pageant. Current winners embody Reality To File, The Actual Whacker, and Monkfish, underlining the calibre usually required to land the prize.
Traditionally, seven-year-olds dominate this race, with 9 of the final 12 winners becoming that age bracket.
My choice is Kitzbuhel, a six-year-old who nonetheless has one thing to show however possesses loads of upside. His victory within the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse in December was notably eye-catching.
He handles each good and gentle floor, has already confirmed his stamina over this distance and appears the kind who may enhance once more on the large stage.
An unseat at Sandown Park Racecourse final outing is a slight concern, but it surely’s not sufficient to utterly put me off. If he places in a clear spherical of leaping, I’d be dissatisfied to not see him ending within the first three.
Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle)
As ever, this is among the best handicaps of the week and a giant area makes it vast open.
The traits usually favour youthful horses arriving right here in kind, and one that matches the invoice properly is Storm Coronary heart.
He’s a calmly raced six-year-old with strong hurdle kind and even has a Grade 1 victory on his CV. Floor circumstances shouldn’t be an issue both, though one thing on the softer facet of fine to gentle would most likely go well with greatest.
Others available in the market, akin to Kopeck De Mee and Iberico Lord, don’t fairly carry the identical stage of consistency for me.
One outsider price keeping track of is Guard Responsibility for Emma Lavelle. His leaping has been just a little suspect at instances, however he has gained three races over this journey. If he finds some enchancment, he may simply become involved within the end.
Glenfarclas Cross Nation Chase
For me, this race revolves round Stumptown for Gavin Cromwell.
He’s already a twin Cheltenham winner, together with success on this very race final yr, and his run within the Velká Pardubická was excellent.
That race is extensively thought to be one of many hardest cross-country contests on the planet, and he gained it with authority.
He clearly loves Cheltenham, is aware of each inch of the course, and floor circumstances shouldn’t hassle him. The whole lot factors in direction of one other enormous run.
For me, he seems just like the banker of the day.
Queen Mom Champion Chase
My choice right here may elevate a number of eyebrows.
Saint Segal for Jane Williams is the definition of consistency. His current kind figures learn 1-2-1-2-2, with sturdy Grade 2 efforts included.
He handles a wide range of floor circumstances and at all times provides his operating. Whereas he could lack the uncooked brilliance of the favorite Majborough, Cheltenham usually rewards reliability and strong leaping.
To win this, he would possible want to search out one other stage, but when the race turns into a real check and some rivals underperform, a spot may definitely be on the playing cards.
