Champion Hurdle

State Man

The most backed horse for Tuesday at Cheltenham is STATE MAN, a brilliant two-mile hurdler who has won nine of his 10 completed starts, with his only defeat coming in this race last year. 

He was ultimately outclassed by Constitution Hill, but the path has been cleared for him this time around. He claimed a second Irish Champion Hurdle last month and is clear of this field on ratings. 

Trained by Willie Mullins, the former County Hurdle winner is an odds-on favourite to conquer his opposition in Tuesday’s feature race and will be difficult to beat. He has been backed in 57% of the betslips for the Champion Hurdle.

Mares' Hurdle

Lossiemouth

The second most backed horse for Day 1 is LOSSIEMOUTH, again for Mullins, who has a great record in the Mares’ Hurdle.

The talented five-year-old has won all but one of her starts and was a brilliant winner of the Unibet Hurdle here in January, where she beat race-fit rivals. 

That victory extended her unbeaten record at the course, having taken last year’s Triumph Hurdle at this fixture. She appears to have little, if any, flaws in her inventory and will undoubtedly be featured in many punters multiples this week.

Since final declarations for Tuesday’s races were made on Sunday, 48% of the bets on the Mares’ Hurdle have gone the way of Lossiemouth.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Tullyhill

In a clean sweep for Mullins, completing our most backed treble for Tuesday at Cheltenham is TULLYHILL, who has looked good in winning his last couple of starts over hurdles and is highly fancied in the absence of Ballyburn.

After winning on debut at Gowran Park, he was only beaten in a flat race at Punchestown by A Dream To Share – who landed last year’s Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Tullyhill began his hurdles campaign with a disappointing second, having been sent off as a 1/8 favourite at Punchestown, but has improved the last two times and evidently has plenty of speed.

Going left-handed should see this horse in an even better light. Expect his jumping to be pinpoint accurate, especially under an attacking ride by Paul Townend.

Tullyhill has edged Slade Steel (backed by Andy Holding) as the most popular Supreme selection, taking 20% of the bets against 16% for Henry de Bromhead’s six-year-old.