Cheltenham Day One ITV Tips & Preview

Mister Fisher’s win at Kempton was boosted by Rouge Vif winning his next two races including an impressive performance at Kelso. Nicky Henderson’s horse also took down Bright Forecast at Haydock, who has an entry in the Ballymore. Obviously, ground concerns will be a factor for every horse at the Festival, but I think this will impact horses a lot more than it will Mister Fisher.

16/1 represents real value for Nicky Henderson’s second string hope. He’s done nothing wrong so far and looks to have plenty of potential.

I’m going to have a little each-way play on Big Bite, bigger odds are available but the 7 places on offer is too tempting. If the ground is as bad as expected then the six year-old comes into contention. He finished 4th to Mister Fisher last time out due to a big error three out.

The ground will bring Lalor more into the race, but it’s impossible to look past Glen Forsa at 4/1 at this stage. A few will argue Kalashnikov didn’t run his race last time out, but even if that was true the victory was still very impressive. It speaks volumes when most preview panels struggle to find any reasons not to back a horse and this was the case for Mick Channon’s horse.

Mister Whitaker could make it a quick fire double for the Mick Channon yard. He goes up in trip for the Ultima, he’s hinted in the last few runs he could suit this change, plus he’s bred for this trip (Dam’s side).

He won the Close Brothers’ Chase last year and should have no worries with the tricky conditions underfoot. His run last time out at Ascot was a strange one, as Cyrname absolutely blew away the field. It’s a bit of a gamble with the step up in trip, but this is a quality horse who enjoys Cheltenham.

I’m siding with Buveur D’Air in the Champion Hurdle. Nicky Henderson’s horse will be at home in these conditions, and also has a mightily impressive Cheltenham record. Apple’s Jade and Laurina have made this a much better spectacle than previous years. However, I think the speed in this race will play against Apple's Jade, and will be set up perfectly for Barry Geraghty. If the money keeps coming for Apple's Jade, Buveur D’air could become an each-way play.

8/13 for Buveur D’air to finish in the top three has the be one of the bets of the Festival.

Benie Des Dieux looks the one to beat in the Mares Hurdle, and it’s tricky to make any arguments, but the price is too short to back. Instead I’m looking for a bit of value in the without market.

Only Santini stopped Rokdana winning a grade one at Aintree last season, but Roksana did finish ahead of Ok Corral and Chef Des Obeaux. That win was over a longer trip, but has since taken on Buveur D’Air at Sandown. She was never really a contender on that day, and was well looked after in preparation for this race. She’s not run at Cheltenham yet, but with three places available without the favourite this looks a cracking bet.

A Plus Tard was unfortunate not to win at Punchestown last time out after an impressive round of jumping. The five year-old beat Duc Des Genievres by 3 ¼ lengths at Naas in December, who is now a 13/2 shot for the Arkle. Midnight Stroll finished 4th on that occasion who won next time out and Ex Patriot finished 5th who has since won twice. The form of that win speaks follow, and so does the support seen at Punchestown.

Henry De Bromhead’s horse shouldn’t have too many concerns with the conditions following a few tricky races back in France.

There are question marks over the distance with a few in the last race on day one, and even more question marks regarding the going. Ok Corral and Ballyward are both cracking horses, but the value lies with Impulsive Star.

The nine-year-old finished second to Ok Corral when returning to the track in December, and stayed on pretty well over the shorter trip. Then he won at Warwick, beating Crosspark and Carole’s Destrier who have both since won. Hopefully Sam Waley-Cohen can stay in contention and pick off Ok Corral near the finish line.