ITV7 Racing: Rishi Persad's Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Tips

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ITV Racing's very own, Rishi Persad, has cast his eye over the opening day's races at the Cheltenham Festival and given us his ITV7 Prediction!

Check out who he's backing plus Tuesday's ITV Racing schedule here.

Supreme Novices Hurdle Tips

Rishi Persad's Selection: Mydaddypaddy

Former ante-post favourite for this race until his defeat at Aintree, however that contest saw a number of hurdles omitted due to the low sun and Mydaddypaddy has looked a fluent hurdler in his previous two wins so had one of his main weapons neutralised. He remains an exciting talent in a cracking opening race.

Arkle Chase Tips

Rishi Persad's Selection: LULAMBA 

Lulamba is unbeaten since his narrow defeat in the Triumph Hurdle last year. His fencing has not been foot perfect, but he is getting better and gained valuable experience against more seasoned rivals in the Game Spirit Chase last time. I prefer him over Kopek Des Bordes who has had just the one start over fences.

2.18 Sedgefield - SHANT WAIT

Had wind surgery after a disappointing effort at Huntingdon in November and returned with two fine efforts at Southwell and Market Rasen, both over two miles. His finishing efforts there suggest a step back up in distance looks a good move and he can defy top weight.

Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle Tips

Rishi Persad's Selection - WINSTON JUNIOR 

He is improving with every run over hurdles, finishing an excellent second to Minella Study at Cheltenham in December before bolting up at Ascot in January. Connections toyed with the idea of a tilt at the Triumph Hurdle but his mark of 131 looks well within his wheelhouse and Jack Kennedy is an eye catching booking.

Ultima Handicap Chase Tips

Rishi Persad's Selecion: JAGWAR

Looks sure to relish the step up in trip to three miles and a furlong for the first time. Even though he was a Festival winner last year over two and a half miles and he has produced several good performances over that trip, it appears there may be more to come over this longer distance.

Champion Hurdle Tips 

Rishi Persad's Selection: THE NEW LION

Won the Turners Novices Hurdle in 2025 and it appeared he was going to win the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on his return this season before he fell. Got a confidence booster at Cheltenham on Trials day, yet we still don’t know how good he really is. The belief is he still has plenty of untapped potential after only 6 runs over hurdles.

Plate Handicap Chase Tips

Rishi Persad's Selection: MADARA

Has a good record at Cheltenham but only had two runs since the start of 2025. It is clear that this has been the plan for some time and he had a nice run around Kempton last month, where the track would not have been ideal. He competes off a similar  mark to when finishing placed in a Paddy Power and December Gold Cup.

Rishi Persad's ITV7 Predictions

1.20 Cheltenham - MYDADDYPADDY
2.00 Cheltenham - LULAMBA 
2.18 Sedgefield - SHANT WAIT
2.40 Cheltenham - WINSTON JUNIOR 
3.20 Cheltenham - JAGWAR
4.00 Cheltenham - THE NEW LION
4.40 Cheltenham - MADARA

Tuesday's ITV Racing Schedule

CHELTENHAM

1.20 2m½f Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
2.00 2m Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase
2.40 2m½f McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
3.20 3m1f Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase
4.00 2m½f Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
4.40 2m4f Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase

Make sure to tune into ITV1 today to catch Rishi and the gang's coverage of the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Find More Cheltenham Day 1 Tips

Andy Holding's Day One Tips

Racing Lee's Day One Tips

Liam Firkin's Day One Tips

Jake Price's Day One Tips

Liam Firkin's Day One Place Accumulator