Cheltenham Tips: Day 1 Each-Way Lucky 15 featuring Marie's Rock

The most important thing for a novice chaser is to jump well. Having this asset can see horses improve a stone in the weights and can see the reverse effect on others. This year’s Arkle holds many examples. Saint Roi, winner of a County Hurdle and a 4th in last year’s Champion Hurdle holds the best hurdle form yet he is hesitant at his fences, often slowing into them to correct his feet and is available widely at 8/1. Jonbon jumps well and backers will be hoping this asset will prove key as his main market rival, El Fabiolo, has the proclivity to hit a fence.

However, undoubtedly the best jumper in the field is DYSART DYNAMO which suits his freewheeling front running style. Running at a quick pace over 2 miles can put huge pressure on a horse’s jumping and if Danny Mullins can set reasonable fractions then he could be hard to peg back. Since the Dublin Racing festival it’s been well known that the Arkle is over one furlong shorter. Yet despite over a furlong shorter, horses must jump an additional two fences; 13 compared to the 11 at Leopardstown. This will only add fuel to Dysart Dynamo and the finishing speeds at Leopardstown (96% El Fabiolo) show that they went too quick. With 3 places available he’s a great horse to include in an each-way lucky 15.

Lord Accord seem to fit all of the trends for this race before the rain arrived, and now that it has, it may pay to side with the HAPPYGOLUCKY.  Runner up in 2021 behind Vintage Clouds as a novice, Kim Bailey’s charge has been side-lined for nearly two years with injury but showed he’s returned better than ever this year with a close 3rd behind L’homme Presse in the Rehearsal chase.

He was only a novice that day compared to the 11 year old winner having his 28th run over fences yet he travelled the best and may have been closer if not for hitting the final fence. He followed up at Aintree jumping and travelling sweetly before being side-lined and is only 5lbs higher here. He has run at two festivals and been placed in them both, importantly both occasions being on soft ground and his course form will stand him in good stead. He has a massive chance of hitting the frame at each-way odds.

Constitution Hill’s win in the Champion Hurdle is a formality yet at 1/3 I’m happy to watch him win. However that does not mean there is no bet to be found and last year’s 3rd ZANAHIYR looks grossly overpriced in the without market with two places generously available. State Man is the only horse possible of beating Constitution Hill and he may pay for trying to go with him and that may just pay to a horse ridden to place, i.e. Zanahiyr.

We know he likes Cheltenham from his 3rd last year and his Aintree run last year behind Epatante shows he stays further meaning he will be finishing his race out strongly. The two mares in front of him last year aren’t running and the way he will be ridden suggests he should make the frame. 25/1 seems too big with 2 places available.

Confirmed to go for this race instead of a soft ground Stayer’s, MARIE’S ROCK has a huge chance of recording back to back victories in the race. Although going off relatively unfancied in the race last year, she since followed up at Punchestown before reappearing in the Relkeel hurdle. That performance specifically, against race fit male rivals, was one that told me just how much she has progressed.

Dashel Drasher is perhaps the best horse in England to rate a race around, always running his races, and she beat him by 6 lengths, with First Street and co. all in behind. Soft ground will be her ally aswell as casting doubts over market leaders Honeysuckle’s and Epatante’s stamina, both whom have largely been campaigned at 2 miles. I fully expect her to give Nicky Henderson another winner on Day 1.