Planning to have a punt with Paddy Power on the Cheltenham Festival? Well, it’s only sensible to do as much research as possible before you get your ducks in a row!
We like to think we’re helpful folks here at PP News so we’ve gone through the history books to pick out some key trends for all seven races on the opening day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
The meeting starts with a bang courtesy of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as last year’s Champion Bumper winner Facile Vega attempts to achieve the rare double, although he will need to raise his game after flopping at the Dublin Racing Festival last month.
There is also the tasty clash between El Fabiolo and Jonbon in the Arkle Chase before the freak of nature that is Constitution Hill takes on Willie Mullins’ emerging star State Man in the Champion Hurdle.
The Mares’ Hurdle, however, is shaping up to be on the best races of the whole week as the likes of Brady Love, Echoes In Rain, Epatante, Honeysuckle, Love Envoi and Marie’s Rock are set to go to post.
Cheltenham Festival odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise the key trends for all seven races on Tuesday at Cheltenham are below.
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Cheltenham 1:30 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
You want to look for a horse that won last time out as 23 of the last 26 winners achieved that feat.
Facile Vega backers will also be concerned to know that just one horse since Montelado in 1993 has done the Champion Bumper/Supreme double.
- SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE TIPS FROM PADDY POWER EXPERTS
Cheltenham 2:10 – Arkle Chase (Grade 1)
The last 13 winners won last time out, which rules out a whole host of runners including Dysart Dynamo.
A negative for El Fabiolo fans and a plus for Jonbon supporters is that the last eight winners had three chase starts before landing the Arkle.
Cheltenham 2:50 – Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
Run the rule over Paddy Power News’ Racecard before the off as nine of the last 11 winners sported headgear.
Cheltenham experience is key as seven of the last eight winners had already run at the course during that season.
Cheltenham 3:30 – Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Previous success at the Cheltenham Festival is one of the key trends in Tuesday’s feature race as 14 of the last 24 winners had won at the meeting before.
A slight worry for Constitution Hill backers, however, is that the last Supreme winner to follow up in the Champion Hurdle was Bula in 1971.
- CHAMPION HURDLE TIPS AND RUNNER-BY-RUNNER GUIDE
Cheltenham 4:10 – Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Every winner of the Mares’ Hurdle has been aged seven or younger other than the mighty Quevega.
Another negative for Honeysuckle supporters is that 12 of the 15 winners were first past the post last time out.
Cheltenham 4:50 – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
A quirky stat is that three of the last four winners landed the Rated Novice Hurdle at Naas before heading to Cheltenham. Sir Allen was first past the post in that race last month.
There has not been a winner wearing headgear since 2014 so, again, it’s worth checking the Paddy Power News’ Racecard beforehand for details on the runners.
Cheltenham 5:30 – National Hunt Chase (Grade 2)
Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have saddled six of the last eight winners so their runners are worth checking.
A bit of experience over fences is required as there has been just one winner of the National Hunt Chase with less than five chase starts since this became a Grade 2 in 2017.
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Cheltenham Tips
- Our ultimate Cheltenham Cheat Sheet for all seven races on day one
- Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Cheat Sheet for day one of the Festival
- Mick Fitzgerald’s best Cheltenham tips for day one of the meeting
- ITV Racing pundit Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham tips for day one of the Festival
Read More on the 2023 Cheltenham Festival
- Get all the latest Horse Racing News and Racing Tips at Paddy Power News
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- All you need to know about the Cheltenham weather forecast, going and ground conditions
- Your ultimate guide to the Cheltenham Racecard for day one of the meeting