THE talking has stopped and the wait is over……….when the tape goes up for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at 13.30 the incomparable Cheltenham Festival will be with us at last! Our UK man on the ground Neil Morrice gives us a quick rundown on who to follow on Day 1 Cheltenham Festival.
Cheltenham Festival
Day 1 Preview
Race 4 is the Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) in which BUVEUR D’AIR bids to become only the sixth horse to win the race three times.
Nicky Henderson was responsible for a previous triple Champion in the shape of See You Then but the champion trainer readily admits Buveur D’Air faces a stiffer task than when Odds-on and successful by just a neck over Melon 12 months ago.
Opposing him are two mares that go into battle defending impressive winning sequences. The Gordon Elliott-trained APPLE’S JADE has replaced Buveur D’Air as favourite whilst the recent rainfall is a boon for LAURINA who hasn’t come out of a canter to land her two races this season for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.
Both Apple’s Jade and Laurina are capable of forcing the issue and a gigantic first day crowd will be treated to watching the Irish mares stalked by strong finisher Buveur D’Air.
The opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has attracted a field of 18 in which Dai Walters has the luxury of owing the first two in the betting in the shape of AL DANCER and ANGELS BREATH.
In the care of local trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, Al Dancer is unbeaten in four hurdles this season including two handicaps and is a winner at the course, albeit over further than two miles.
Angels Breath was in need of the race when beaten at Kempton where the ground was quicker than ideal. He’s been shouted from the rooftops as one of his trainer Henderson’s best chances of a winner at the Festival.
A total of 12 go to post for the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy which usually unveils the best two mile novice chaser in Britain and Ireland.
Exactly 12 months to the day that Mick Channon sent out his first Festival winner the West Ilsley handler has a strong case for a second, with the bold jumping GLEN FORSA shading LALOR as favourite.
Glen Forsa is unbeaten in three outings since having his attention turned to fences, with former trainer Henrietta Knight assisting in his preparation in the jumping department.
It was MISTER WHITAKER that gave Channon his 2018 winner here in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase, and the same horse has been the subject of a sustained gamble for the Ultima Handicap Chase in which no fewer than 26 horses are declared to run.
In the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle BENIE DES DIEUX is a red hot favourite to repeat her 2018 victory for Mullins and Walsh and is opposed by 14 distaffers, and the first day action concludes with the National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase in which Henderson’s OK CORRAL will be hard to beat of getting the marathon four miles distance.
Get Neil Morrice’s full previews on the following feature races by clicking the below links:
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase
Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
