Cheltenham Day 1 Each-Way Tips – Outsiders for Tuesday at Cheltenham & an Each-way Lucky 15

 

1.20 Cheltenham Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle

The festival gets underway in traditional fashion with the Supreme Novices Hurdle. With only a disappointing eight runners lining up here it’s hard to get enthusiastic about this year’s relatively poor renewal. The winner of this may well be glaring punters in the face in the shape of Appreciate It (5/4). The horse has not put a foot wrong all season winning all three starts over hurdles including beating some of his main rivals today Ballyadam and Blue Lord.

For me there is no value in backing the Willie Mullins charge and I’ll be taking him on with the now Henry De Bromhead trained BALLYADAM (13/2 WIN) who I believe will relish the quicker going and is capable of overturning his 3-length defeat to the jolly last time out at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Win Bet: Ballyadam – 13/2 with Bet Victor.

 

2.30 Ultima Handicap Chase

The next race is the first Handicap of the festival and the Favourite here is HappyGoLucky (7/2) who has been backed in from around 20/1 in places over the past two months. After speaking to trainer Kim Bailey earlier in the season this race appears to have been the target for a long time and it would not surprise me to see him go close here.

Those who have followed my previous columns for thatsagoal will know I’d be looking for a bit more bang for my buck in a big competitive Cheltenham Handicap so I’ll be opposing the 7/2 fav.

The horse I’m siding with for the win here is AYE RIGHT (6/1 WIN) who has partnered with Dickie Johnson again who has a 100% record on the son of Yeats. Regular Jockey Callum Bewley is not on board here and I would expect a Dickie to bang Aye Right out from the front and try to hold on coming up the famous Cheltenham hill.

The Harriet Graham charge has ran admirably on each chase outing this season placing in both the Charlie Hall and Ladbrokes Trophy. He then went onto Doncaster for the Skybet Handicap Chase and was robbed on the run in after Callum Bewley dropped his whip otherwise, he would have entered the winner’s enclosure the last day.

My each way play in the race is the Brian Ellison trained NIETZSCHE (28/1 E/W) who always runs his race at Cheltenham. He is unproven over todays trip and this is what has taken my eye here after watching a few replays of previous races I believe the horse will be suited by the step up in trip and the good to soft going.

Win Bet: Aye Right – 6/1 with Bet Victor.

Each-way Bet: Nietzsche – 28/1 with bet365.

 

3.05 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy  

The feature race of Day 1 is the Champion Hurdle which is contested over 2m. This year’s renewal is the strongest we have seen in a while and my opinion on this race flips daily as it’s easy to make a case for the majority of the field.

Epatante was disappointing last time out In the Christmas Hurdle with Nicky Henderson sighting a back problem as the reason for her lacklustre performance at Kempton. Epatante’s only previous run this season was in the fighting fifth which was absolutely gifted to her after the drama at the start involving Not So Sleepy and Silver Streak. Although last year’s winner is capable of bouncing back, I would not be siding with her on the basis of what I have seen so far this season.

My win selection here is HONEYSUCKLE (9/4 WIN) who has landed the Irish Champion Hurdle the last two years over todays trip dismissing any doubts about this trip being too sharp for her. The Henry De Bromhead charge is proven at the track after taking out last year’s Mares under a fantastic ride from today’s jockey Rachel Blackmore. Let’s hope the ground doesn’t dry out too much but with 10mm of rain falling overnight on the Cotswold track on Sunday evening I suspect we could be in business here. The mare’s allowance could prove crucial here and this is the main reason why I’m siding with the mare over Goshen.

My Each Way selection here is JAMES DU BERLAIS (22/1 E/W) who is a very interesting runner here after being acquired by the Munir and Souede ownership team who have sent the horse over to Ireland to Willie Mullins to go Novice chasing next season.

The French recruit has not been seen on a British or Irish racecourse and was last on track back in November in Auteuil when finishing second in a Grade 1 Hurdle. The 5-year-old Bay Gelding is vastly experienced despite his young age appearing 13 times over hurdles in France and he certainly seems to be a horse on an upward trajectory.

After speaking to Daryl Jacob just under a month ago he gave this horse as his bet of the festival and Willie Mullins appears to have kept this horse fresh with this race always being the target. Rated at 167 over in Britain puts the horse right in contention here and a truly run race will only enhance his place credentials.

Win Bet: Honeysuckle – 9/4 with bet365.

Each-way bet: James Du Berlais – 22/1 with bet365.

 

3.40 Close Brothers Mares Hurdle (David Nicholson) (Grade 1)  

The next race is the Mares Hurdle which is contested over 2m4f. This race was a penalty kick for last year’s Mares Novice winner Concertista until Dan Skelton threw a curveball in yesterday by declaring the talented Roksana will run here.

ROKSANA (3/1 WIN) has always been on my radar for the Stayers Hurdle this season so it would be remiss of me not to put her up in what is a poorer race. The former winner of this race has been in the form of her life this season winning on two of her three starts and only finding Thyme Hill and Paisley Park too good in the Long Walk just before Christmas. That form for me is a lot stronger than anything the jolly has shown so far in her career.

Win Bet: Roksana – 3/1 with bet365.

 

4.15 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Fred Winter) (Grade 3) 

The next race is the Fred Winter which is an ultra-competitive Handicap ran over 2m. The horse I like here for the win is SAINT SAM (11/2 WIN) who has been mixing it with some of the best young horses in Ireland in the shape of Zanahyir and Quilixios. The Willie Mullins charge is a real slick hurdler and has not disgraced himself in graded juvenile company. With headgear being applied here I’d be expecting a big run mixing it with the handicappers.  The horse has been keen in his races so far this season so we are hoping the headgear can help him settle early on.

I have a strong each way play here in the shape of the Gary Moore trained NASSALAM (20/1 E/W) NB who is carrying top weight and don’t get me wrong he will face an uphill task to defy this. Nassalam was a strong Triumph Hurdle contender earlier in the season and I believe he would have run a massive race in the Triumph if he did line up there.  The horse has performed well thus far and has ran into a few very talented horses so far this season only being beaten by one time favourite for this race Adagio and Monmiral last time out Haydock.

There will be plenty of offers this week so If you can grab top 5 or 6 places each way you could boost the coffers here for the rest of the week by nicking some each way money.

Keep an eye out for Glorious Zoff (16/1) who has been tipped up by the likes of Robbie Power and Jamie Codd on the preview night circuit. Jamie Codd has said Bryan Cooper is really sweet on the now Sneezy Foster trained charge although he does ride Youmdor here.

Win bet: Saint Sam – 11/2 with William Hill.

Each-way bet: Nassalam – 20/1 with William Hill.

 

4.50 Cheltenham Sam Vesty National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices Chase (Grade 2) 

The final race of the day is normally contested by amateur jockeys but due to the restrictions, the professional lads are having a crack at this stamina test. I’ve had a good luck at this race and it is hard to get away from Galvin and Next Destination who both have barely put a foot wrong this season.

Galvin (7/4 NAP) would be my win selection here who has won his last four races including an impressive performance here back in October easily dispatching of one his rivals today Soldier Of Love who has been tipped up for this in places. I do not believe the change of yard will be a problem and the horse has clearly been kept fresh for this race.

I’m going to have a punt and take my chances on MACGILONEY (100/1 E/W) who I think will relish the good to soft ground over this extended trip. The Denis Hogan trained charge travelled well and stayed on impressively last time out to win comfortably by 2 lengths at Fairyhouse.

The horse is 100/1 for a reason and may well be outclassed here and I would advise small stakes if you are following.

Win bet: Galvin – 9/4 with William Hill.

Each-way bet: Macgiloney – 100/1 with William Hill.

 

Cheltenham Day 1 Each-way Lucky 15 Tip

2.30pm – Nietzsche

3.05pm – James Du Berlais

4.10pm – Nassalam

4.50pm – Macgiloney

EACH-WAY ACCUMULATOR ODDS – 1010504/1 with bet365.

 

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