Day one of the Festival delivered some cracking winners and set the tone nicely for the week ahead.
Old Park Star was a popular winner in the opener, finishing strongly in a race that looked a three-way battle after the last. He showed plenty of heart up the famous Cheltenham hill to get the job done.
Kargese was the surprise package in the Arkle for me. Much of the pre-race talk centred around Kopek Des Bordes and Lulamba, but Kargese ultimately looked the class act in the field and travelled like the best horse throughout.
Johnywho in the Ultima was particularly impressive. Out of form coming into the race, but the application of cheekpieces and a recent wind operation appeared to do the trick. He was given a confident ride and powered clear to win well.
Lossiemouth rounded things off in style. Turning for home, I was slightly concerned with Brighterdaysahead travelling strongly, but Lossiemouth’s slick jumping, pace and class told in the closing stages as she asserted up the hill.
Personally, three winners from six selections wasn’t a bad return for day one. Johnywho at 18/1 was the standout tip, and it was a great result.
Now attention turns to Day Two, where the card features some fascinating contests.
Turners Novices’ Hurdle
Big fields at Cheltenham can always throw a spanner in the works, but Ballfad for Gordon Elliott catches the eye.
He was unbeaten until his most recent run at Leopardstown Racecourse, where he was beaten by Talk The Talk. However, his pedigree suggests this step up in trip should suit perfectly.
One of the biggest positives is his experience in large fields. He won in December in a 21-runner contest and finished second in a Grade 1 with a field of 12, valuable experience for a race of this nature.
Elliott knows exactly what it takes to land a Cheltenham winner, and Ballfad looks a horse who has been campaigned with this race firmly in mind. If he settles into a rhythm, he should travel well and stay on strongly up the hill under Jack Kennedy.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
This is always one of the standout staying novice chases of the Festival. Recent winners include Fact To File, The Real Whacker, and Monkfish, underlining the calibre typically required to land the prize.
Historically, seven-year-olds dominate this race, with nine of the last 12 winners fitting that age bracket.
My selection is Kitzbuhel, a six-year-old who still has something to prove but possesses plenty of upside. His victory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse in December was particularly eye-catching.
He handles both good and soft ground, has already proven his stamina over this distance and looks the type who could improve again on the big stage.
An unseat at Sandown Park Racecourse last time out is a slight concern, but it’s not enough to completely put me off. If he puts in a clean round of jumping, I’d be disappointed not to see him finishing in the first three.
Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle)
As ever, this is one of the most competitive handicaps of the week and a big field makes it wide open.
The trends often favour younger horses arriving here in form, and one that fits the bill nicely is Storm Heart.
He’s a lightly raced six-year-old with solid hurdle form and even has a Grade 1 victory on his CV. Ground conditions shouldn’t be a problem either, although something on the softer side of good to soft would probably suit best.
Others in the market, such as Kopeck De Mee and Iberico Lord, don’t quite bring the same level of consistency for me.
One outsider worth keeping an eye on is Guard Duty for Emma Lavelle. His jumping has been a little suspect at times, but he has won three races over this trip. If he finds some improvement, he could easily get involved in the finish.
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
For me, this race revolves around Stumptown for Gavin Cromwell.
He’s already a dual Cheltenham winner, including success in this very race last year, and his run in the Velká Pardubická was outstanding.
That race is widely regarded as one of the toughest cross-country contests in the world, and he won it with authority.
He clearly loves Cheltenham, knows every inch of the course, and ground conditions shouldn’t bother him. Everything points towards another huge run.
For me, he looks like the banker of the day.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
My selection here might raise a few eyebrows.
Saint Segal for Jane Williams is the definition of consistency. His recent form figures read 1-2-1-2-2, with strong Grade 2 efforts included.
He handles a variety of ground conditions and always gives his running. While he may lack the raw brilliance of the favourite Majborough, Cheltenham often rewards reliability and solid jumping.
To win this, he would likely need to find another level, but if the race turns into a true test and a few rivals underperform, a place could certainly be on the cards.
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