Cheltenham Day One ITV Racing Tips

The vast quantity of snow and rain in the past few weeks is going to ensure the ground is as testing as it has been since 1982 for day one of this illustrious meeting and that could just play into the hands of FIRST FLOW (Best price 12-1). There is a chance Kim Bailey’s imposing novice may have been underestimated a little and he will love the prospect of atrocious ground. The selection ploughed through deep conditions to score with authority at Haydock and, as a robust, chasing type, today’s examination should hold no terrors for a horse built to deal with a brutal test.

Of his rivals, PALOMA BLUE (Best price 16-1) should relish the likelihood of a stronger gallop often generated by a bigger field if his creditable effort in Leopardstown’s Deloitte Novice Hurdle behind the all-conquering Samcro is anything to go by. He was too exuberant for his own good that day and paid for the early exertions by fading after the final hurdle. It was still a fine performance in its own right and his yard boasts a good record at this meeting.

It is a good while since I’ve seen two novices over the minimum trip jump with as much enthusiasm and speed as FOOTPAD (Best price 11-10) and Saint Calvados. The former narrowly gains the nod as he has been to Cheltenham twice and acquitted himself superbly, including when finishing fourth in last year’s Champion Hurdle. He made all to see off Petite Mouchoir at Leopardstown in Grade 1 company last month and, although some folk expect the latter to turn the tables as it was first run in 108 days, he will have to jump more proficiently to reverse the form with Footpad. The selection barely put a foot wrong at Leopardstown and was well on top at the line which suggested there is a good deal more to come. Saint Calvados rattled up another exemplary round of fencing at Warwick when seeing off another small field from the front and, if he can translate that level to an undulating track, he could take some pegging back. 

Novices and second season chasers have won 14 renewals this century so COO STAR SIVOLA (best priced 11-2) makes plenty of appeal on the back of a facile Exeter warm up even if the price is nothing to get excited by. Trainer Nick Williams has had this race in mind all season for last year’s Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle-fourth who has accrued plenty of experience of the Cheltenham fences courtesy of some solid performances in decent novice chases at today’s venue this season. The step up to three miles appeared to induce further improvement and he remains pleasingly handicapped.

BUVEUR D’AIR will achieve the perfect 10 if he can repeat last year’s victory in this race and bookmakers believe his claims are once again highly compelling. Nine previous wins have led to Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old being installed a red-hot favourite to follow up his four-length defeat of stablemate My Tent Or Yours and, granted the conditions, he is a difficult horse to oppose with chief danger Faugheen fighting to regain his best form. Unfortunately his claims are reflected in his price so the market without the favourite could be the way to extricate some profit. With reservations surround Faugheen and the ground surely too deep to be ideal for logical each-way call My Tent Or Yours, the likes of WICKLOW BRAVE (Best price 11-2) and ELGIN (Best price 8-1) make appeal.

The former was beaten in this last year and does have a reputation for missing the start, but Patrick Mullins has a handsome record on him and he is clearly a very talented horse when the mood takes him. Elgin has been supplemented at a pretty penny but coped with atrocious ground at Wincanton to win the Kingwell Hurdle in style and has already won the Greatwood Hurdle at this venue this season so should not be underestimated.

A race lacking much strength in depth and, given she should have no issue with conditions, the marvellously consistent and admirable APPLE’S JADE is the clear standout. The selection hasn’t been out of the first two in 14 career starts and her victims this season in Grade 1 company include Supersundae and Nichols Canyon. The former is vying for favouritism in the Stayers’ Hurdle yet Apple’s Jade readily repelled his challenge at Leopardstown over Christmas to complete her fifth successive victory.

It will take a dip in form for her rivals to trouble her as she looks a stronger mare this year and appears to have progressed again. Those looking for a solid each-way bet should consider the tough and resilient LA BAGUE AU ROI (Best price 7-1) who represents the home challenge. She jumped beautifully to score at Ascot and looks the real deal this season.

Gordon Elliott has held a stranglehold on this race in recent seasons courtesy of victories for Tiger Roll, Cause Of Causes and Chicago Grey and in Jury Duty and Mossback he holds two excellent chances of improving that record. The home contingent are also worth seriously considering with SIZING TENNESSEE (Best price 9-1), partnered by the excellent Barry O’Neill, narrowly preferred to relentless galloper DUEL AT DAWN (Best price 16-1).

There was six lengths between the pair when they met here over three miles before Christmas and the selection has gone on to run creditably behind Mister Whitaker on Trials Day here in January. Duel At Dawn has been subsequently beaten by Ms Parfois at Warwick, but this war of attrition will suit and a return to a stiffer track could see him post a career best. Those firms offering four places look well worth accommodating.

Connections of ANY SECOND NOW (Best price 7-1) have been content to allow their novice to follow Footpad around at a respectful distance this winter in order to preserve his mark of 145. The move has ensured qualification for this race so objective number one has been achieved and he makes plenty of appeal now that he steps up in trip and tackles a more realistic level of opposition. De Plotting Shed has been a long-term fancy for this race in the ante-post betting since the markets opened and connections believe they have a very well handicapped horse, however there could be a little more juice in the price of MISTER WHITAKER (Best price 10-1) who sits at the foot of the handicap after somehow managing to sneak into this race.

Initially, it looked like the six-year-old was too well handicapped for this event as he required a host of horses to come out to get a run, but he could prove a huge threat to all now he has made the line up. His defeat of the admirable Theatre Territory on Trials Day was achieved in cosy fashion as he pulled himself up when he hit the front so his style of racing should be well suited to Brian Hughes whose quiet style in the saddle should be a perfect fit.