Cheltenham Festival 2023 - Day One

 Cheltenham Day One







1:30 Supreme Novices Hurdle


Yet again we start the week with a short priced Willie Mullins runner, although previous hot pots usually come off the back of a win - as opposed to the disappointing showing Facile Vega gave last time out. He was beaten over 20 lengths at Leopardstown, a run which is probably too bad to be true and market confidence this week suggests they’re expecting him to bounce back to his best. Il Etait Temps did seem to do it well last time though and could take some stopping if repeating his run last time out.


Of those near the front of the market I do like MARINE NATIONALE at around 5/1. He did remarkably well to win the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse at the start of December, travelling strongly throughout it looked like he’d been given too much work to do approaching the last (which he then booted out of the way) but he flew home late and pulled off a remarkable win. It’s a rather unorthodox preparation for a Supreme winner to have not run since which tempers enthusiasm somewhat, but there’s no question that Barry Connell will have him raring to go.


At a bigger price I think RARE EDITION has an each-way chance at around 25/1 with extra places on offer. He only finished 2nd last time out but that came over 2m4f and he was found to have scoped dirty subsequently. Prior to that he was seen comfortably seeing off Rubaud at Kempton, a horse who has gone on to win a Grade 2 since.


MARINE NATIONALE - 5/1


RARE EDITION - 28/1




2:50 Ultima Handicap Chase


It’s not the most imaginative selection, but last years winner and current favourite CORACH RAMBLER could take some stopping in this again. He won this very cosily despite having to weave his way through the field in the home straight. Only 6lb higher here after 2 creditable runs this year, he’s 2-2 at Cheltenham and this will be only his 9th start over fences, so there could still be more to come.


TEA CLIPPER is one I’ve had in mind for this race for a while, he has a good festival record (4th in this last year and 3rd in the Coral Cup in 2021) and I’d imagine this has been the plan for some time. However, the recent rain would’ve been frustrating for connections as he’d appreciate a quicker surface than he’s likely to get, therefore I’ve halved my stake due to concerns about the ground.


CORACH RAMBLER - 6/1


TEA CLIPPER - 33/1


4:50 Boodles Juvenile Hurdle


A race for small stakes but I’m going to have a few quid on METAMORPHEUS for Paul Nolan. He only finished 5th of 6 last time out but that is a race which is usually a good pointer for this race. Only beaten five lengths in. that contest and not given a hard time, he will have been laid out for this by his shrewd connections. Third in that same race was BYKER who I’d also like to have on side, the small field and lack of pace probably counted against him that day. This bigger field should help him to settle better and I can see him playing a hand in the finish.


METAMORPHEUS - 20/1


BYKER - 11/2

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