Cheltenham Festival 2020 - Day One

13:30 Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

The picture had been blurred somewhat by Gordon Elliot when I initially started my write up, as he was pondering a potential switch for Envoi Allen to this race. However, after walking the track Sunday morning the decision has been made to stick to the original plan of the Ballymore which makes things slightly clearer, albeit still a tricky puzzle to solve.

Those who follow this blog regularly will be aware I normally try and take on those near the top of the market but I won't be doing that in the festival curtain raiser this year, as I like the chances of Asterion Forlonge.

He has only had three starts under rules but already has a Grade 1 win under his belt after his demolition job on Easywork at Leopardstown last month. He has a win on soft ground to his name already and looks as though even deeper ground wouldn't be a problem at all. The owner has another strong chance in the shape of Shishkin but I'm going to opt for the horse with a grade one win already in the bag.

You can make a case for a fair few in this field and Abacadabras is another who heads straight here off the back of a Grade 1 win, although one which probably wasn't as deep as that of the selection's. Fiddlerontheroof another who will appreciate the conditions underfoot.

William Hill are offering a ridiculous SEVEN places each-way here so I'm also going to have a small wager on Allart to outrun his odds and hopefully grab us some place money. The form of his two wins this season is nothing to shout about but the style of the wins have really caught the eye. And you can of course only beat what is put in front of you after all.

Asterion Forlonge 3/1

Allart 20/1

14:10 Arkle Novice' Chase (Grade 1)

I'll keep the write up for this one fairly brief as I don't have too strong an opinion on the Arkle this year. The two near the top of the market are fairly closely matched on their run at Leopardstown last month when Notebook got the better of Cash Back. The former bolted on the way to the start that day which suggests he may have more in hand than the winning margin suggested, but equally that there's a possibility the occasion may get to him in the intense atmosphere that Cheltenham presents.

I'd rather look for value elsewhere so I'll take Rouge Vif at an each-way price. The 'second run after wind op' rule came to fruition for Harry Whittington's gelding when bolting up at Warwick in a Grade 2. He could afford to be eased in the closing stages and still had the useful Nube Negra trailing seven lengths behind. One minor worry is that he was convincingly beaten in his only start at Cheltenham but that run did come prior to his wind operation so he still looks worth a small bet each-way.

Rouge Vif 14/1

14:50 Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Another race where it will be worth shopping around for the best each-way terms, at the time of writing there are already four firms who are paying 6 places in this.

It may seem bizarre suggesting to back a horse who hasn't been seen since getting beaten by 49 lengths on Boxing Day, but Discorama has been a big talking horse in the build up to the festival and I think it's worth taking advantage of the generous each-way terms on offer by getting him onside. He has run twice at the Cheltenham Festival and has finished second both times, once over 2m4f and last year over 4m and there's a possibility this intermediate trip could prove ideal. He's had a wind-op since his last run and he gets to race off the same mark as when narrowly beaten in the National Hunt Chase last year.

One at a bigger price who may well outrun his odds is Big River for the Lucinda Russell team. He finished with a bit of a rattle in this race last year when finishing sixth and bounced back to that level of form when winning at Kelso on his latest start. Off just 1lb higher than last year he looks worth a small each-way investment.

Discorama 8/1

Big River 25/1

15:30 Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

Much of the discussion about this race has been negative with many thinking it is one of the poorest renewals in recent years, but it is at least a competitive field. Having said that, Epatante is still very much unexposed and it's not impossible to think that she could become the superstar that this division seems to be craving. Supporters of Pentland Hills will be hoping the wind operation has done the trick after he found found disappointingly little off the bridle at Haydock last time out.

Darver Star hasn't exactly had your typical Champion Hurdle preparation but his run last time out behind Honeysuckle suggests he more than deserves his place in this field. He started the season rated just 119 but has risen through the handicap ranks and ran a very good race in defeat when third in a Grade 1 novice at Fairyhouse. He took another big step forward with that second behind Honeysuckle and there's no reason to assume that Gavin Cromwell's charge has finished improving yet. He looks the each-way play in a difficult race for me.

Darver Star 12/1

16:10 Mares Hurdle

I don't want to waste words on this race because I think if Benie Des Dieux stays on her feet she wins, doesn't take a genius to say that and the general 4/6 isn't exactly a working mans price. She's been incredibly impressive this year and the noises coming from the yard suggest she is their next superstar, so as long as she doesn't repeat last year's tumble in this she should be very tough to beat.

Benie Des Dieux 4/6

16:50 Novice Handicap Chase

Espoir De Guye is absolutely thriving at present and it would be no surprise to see him notch up the hat-trick but the handicapper hasn't made it easy with a 14lb hike for his Ascot win. Imperial Aura is another with an appealing profile but less appealing odds.

Gordon Elliot looks to have given Galvin a nice prep for this and he appeals as a decent bet with Davy Russel in the saddle. He finished sixth in the Ballymore at the festival last year but he looks like he may prove better over fences . A fall on his Chase debut wasn't the ideal start, but subsequent starts suggest he could be still be progressing. His second to Salsaretta in late November reads very well now given the winner has won twice since, the selection wasn't knocked about once beaten and he has been kept fresh specifically for this race.

Galvin 7/1

17:30 National Hunt

This isn't a race I usually get heavily involved in. Carefully Selected represents connections who have won this twice in recent years in Willie and Patrick Mullins, but he looks short enough at 7/4 in a big field like this. The two I like against the field are Lord Du Mensil and Springfield Fox. The former is almost a certain stayer of this marathon trip which can't be said for all of these. He comes here off the back of a huge run when second in a Grade 3 and will relish the soft conditions. Springfield Fox is one who is harder to weigh up, but he has been demolishing his rivals in deep ground recently and although this is a step up in class he is very much an unknown quantity in this sphere.

Lord Du Mensil 7/1

Springfield Fox 7/1