13:30 Cheltenham

We are finally here; the 2024 Cheltenham Festival has arrived! 

I’ll be on hand to try and navigate you through the ITV7 this week, where you could win up to £100,000 if you can pick seven winners from the selected races. Entries must be made by 13:30pm each day ahead of the competition. Best of luck. 

13:30 Cheltenham - Tullyhill

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Race 1) is very wide-open, to say the least, as you could easily make a case for most of the single-digit runners and even the outsiders to some extent. However, I’ll take a chance on the Willie Mullins-trained TULLYHILL. 

His jumping wasn’t up to scratch on his hurdles debut, but he’s improved enormously in winning both starts since, and conditions will be in his favour. If let loose at the head of affairs, I can envisage him being very difficult to beat. 

13:50 Sedgefield

13:50 Sedgefield - Recoup

RECOUP disappointed at Musselburgh last month but should resume winning ways in the Betting.Bet Free Members Club Novices' Hurdle (Race 2) at Sedgefield.

This four-year-old beat a next-time-out winner on his hurdles debut and is sure to find this easier than the race he contested last month. The combination of cheekpieces and wind surgery should be the catalyst for him to see off his main market rival, Tedtwo. 

14:10 Cheltenham

14:10 Cheltenham - Gaelic Warrior

This is probably the most wide-open Arkle’s in recent years (Race 3), but based on overall form and ratings, if GAELIC WARRIOR can produce his best, then he should be too good for these. 

It was clear something was amiss last time out behind stablemate Fact To File, and with the exception of that performance, his form has been rock solid. 

He has finished runner-up at the last two Cheltenham Festivals and comfortably beat Il Etait Temps in the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase in his penultimate start, who is tied in closely with a few of the remainder. He is a risky proposition, but Paul Townend’s mount is handed the vote to make amends for last time. 

14:30 Sedgefield

14:30 Sedgefield - Celestial Fashion

The second of two ITV7 races at Sedgefield (Race 4) isn’t easy to assess, but I like the look of the mare, CELESTIAL FASHION, who has rattled the crossbar at this course the last two times. 

She is back up in distance, but this is an easier race than last time, given that she split two rivals rated 100+ and is up against a field rated no higher than 90 on this occasion. Under a positive ride, she can deservedly open her account over hurdles.

14:50 Cheltenham

14:50 Cheltenham - Eldorado Allen

Those towards the top end of the spectrum in the Ultima Handicap Chase (Race 5) have fared very well in this race over the years. With this in mind, I will take a chance on ELDORADO ALLEN under the guidance of Freddie Gingell, who can claim 5lb. 

He ran in a pipe-opener over hurdles last time out, and his penultimate fourth in the Coral Gold Cup is good form. 

His record at the Cheltenham Festival is solid too, as he’s placed in an Arkle, a Ryanair Chase, and was seventh in the Gold Cup last year. His trainer is in good form, he’s undergone wind surgery since last time and he is refitted with headgear.

15:30 Cheltenham

15:30 Cheltenham - State Man

The big race in today’s ITV7 is the Champion Hurdle (Race 6), and it is hard to see past last year’s runner-up, STATE MAN. 

Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old has only been beaten once over hurdles when completing, which came in this race last year behind Constitution Hill. 

Judged on his form so far this campaign, the most backed horse for Day 1 has got even better, and both his trainer and jockey have full confidence in his credentials. He can justify the odds by establishing himself as the best hurdler this season. 

16:10 Cheltenham

16:10 Cheltenham - Lossiemouth

It should be another winner on the day for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend with LOSSIEMOUTH in the Mares’ Hurdle (Race 7). 

There have been no signs to suggest she won’t handle the step-up in trip, and the way she won last time out was exceptional. Last year’s Triumph Hurdle heroine is the class act in the field and should be too good for her opposition if she runs to her best.