Cheltenham 2023 kicks off here with the Grade 1 SkyBet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over an extended 2m. I’ve always been a Facile Vega fan and nothing has changed. I could see him winning the on the bridle. That said for this blog the best has to be TAHMURAS each-way for champion trainer Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. The Tolworth winner stays well and his Sandown form has a solid enough look to it. Is he good enough? Only time will tell. But at double digit odds I’ll take the chance.
Next up the Grade 1 Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase over 2m. I’m all over JONBON here for Nicky Henderson and Aidan Coleman. The Supreme Novices’ runner-up and Aintree winner has been pretty faultless over fences and even though he could have scored more easily at Warwick last time the form is solid and I suspect he’ll come on a lot for the run.
The Ultima Handicap Chase over 3m1f. Light weights dominated this last year but it seems unlikely this time. OSCAR ELITE is only 1lb higher than when third in 2022 and he bled from the nose that day which can’t have helped. My selection was back to form in a small field at Ascot last time and has a fair racing weight with 10st 12lb. I’ll chance him eachway.
The big race of the day in the Grade 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy over an extended 2m. This won’t take long. With no eachway angle into the race al I want to see is CONSTITUTION HILL blitz the field for Michael Buckley, Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson. The incredible Supreme hero has gone on this season to hack up in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. He might just be the best we have seen. State Man is the obvious danger and not to be ignored having rattled up three Grade 1 hurdle victories this term.
Another Grade 1 in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle over 2m4f. Many of these should be in the Champion Hurdle but with the Festival diluted they get an easier option here. I’m sticking with LOVE ENVOI eachway for Harry Fry and Jonathan Burke. The seven-year-old has only been beaten once in her life at the hands of Brandy Love but has recent form to her name unlike that old rival. Love Envoi improves all the time, while Epatante and Honeysuckle are not quite as good as they once were although they still bring serious form to the table in a race like this.
Here we go with the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for four-year-olds over an extended 2m. I like the look of PERSEUS WAY eachway here for Gary and Jamie Moore. The Huntingdon winner went to Kempton last time and made a bad mistake at the last which handed success to Nusret. I have a feeling it would have been close without that error and I liked the way the son of Sea the Stars kept on.
Finally the Grade 2 Wellchild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase over 3m6f. Hard to get away from the old slow boat GAILLARD DU MESNIL who has been tackling Grade 1 company and takes a drop in class. Stays all day and is a sound jumper for Willie Mullins and son Patrick.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Cheltenham Tips: Matt Chapman’s Picks for Day 1 of the Festival
PPTV's Matt Chapman gives us his best picks for Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.
By Matt Chapman / Cheltenham Festival, Horse Racing Tips / 1 week ago
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Matt Chapman’s Tuesday Cheltenham Tips
13:30 – Tahmuras (each-way)
14:10 – Jonbon
14:50 – Oscar Elite (Each-Way)
15:30 – Constitution Hill
16:10 – Love Envoi (each-way)
16:50 – Perseus Way (each-way)
17:30 – Gaillard Du Mesnil
DAY 1 IS DONE! BUT DON’T WORRY, OUR MOB ARE BACK FOR WEDNESDAY:
13:30 – Tahmuras
Cheltenham 2023 kicks off here with the Grade 1 SkyBet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over an extended 2m. I’ve always been a Facile Vega fan and nothing has changed. I could see him winning the on the bridle. That said for this blog the best has to be TAHMURAS each-way for champion trainer Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. The Tolworth winner stays well and his Sandown form has a solid enough look to it. Is he good enough? Only time will tell. But at double digit odds I’ll take the chance.
14:10 – Jonbon
Next up the Grade 1 Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase over 2m. I’m all over JONBON here for Nicky Henderson and Aidan Coleman. The Supreme Novices’ runner-up and Aintree winner has been pretty faultless over fences and even though he could have scored more easily at Warwick last time the form is solid and I suspect he’ll come on a lot for the run.
14:50 – Oscar Elite (each-way)
The Ultima Handicap Chase over 3m1f. Light weights dominated this last year but it seems unlikely this time. OSCAR ELITE is only 1lb higher than when third in 2022 and he bled from the nose that day which can’t have helped. My selection was back to form in a small field at Ascot last time and has a fair racing weight with 10st 12lb. I’ll chance him eachway.
15:30 – Constitution Hill
The big race of the day in the Grade 1 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy over an extended 2m. This won’t take long. With no eachway angle into the race al I want to see is CONSTITUTION HILL blitz the field for Michael Buckley, Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson. The incredible Supreme hero has gone on this season to hack up in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. He might just be the best we have seen. State Man is the obvious danger and not to be ignored having rattled up three Grade 1 hurdle victories this term.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR CHELTENHAM DAY 1: LATEST WEATHER UPDATES & GOING | TODAY’S RACECARD AND ULTIMATE GUIDE | TRENDS FOR EVERY RACE ON TUESDAY’S CARD |
16:10 – Love Envoi
Another Grade 1 in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle over 2m4f. Many of these should be in the Champion Hurdle but with the Festival diluted they get an easier option here. I’m sticking with LOVE ENVOI eachway for Harry Fry and Jonathan Burke. The seven-year-old has only been beaten once in her life at the hands of Brandy Love but has recent form to her name unlike that old rival. Love Envoi improves all the time, while Epatante and Honeysuckle are not quite as good as they once were although they still bring serious form to the table in a race like this.
16:50 – Perseus Way
Here we go with the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for four-year-olds over an extended 2m. I like the look of PERSEUS WAY eachway here for Gary and Jamie Moore. The Huntingdon winner went to Kempton last time and made a bad mistake at the last which handed success to Nusret. I have a feeling it would have been close without that error and I liked the way the son of Sea the Stars kept on.
17:30 – Gaillard Du Mesnil
Finally the Grade 2 Wellchild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase over 3m6f. Hard to get away from the old slow boat GAILLARD DU MESNIL who has been tackling Grade 1 company and takes a drop in class. Stays all day and is a sound jumper for Willie Mullins and son Patrick.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham Tips
13:30 – Tahmuras
14:10 – Jonbon
14:50 – Oscar Elite (each-way)
15:30 – Constitution Hill
16:10 – Love Envoi
16:50 – Perseus Way (each-way)
17:30 – Gaillard Du Mesnil
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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