2.50pm Ultima Handicap Chase
Telegraph Sport
For all the Irish domination at Cheltenham in recent years this has been a race in which the British horses have more than help their own. The last 15 runnings have gone to British-based trainers and they again dominate the market, with last year’s winner Corach Rambler the current 8/1 favourite. He’s running of 6lb higher this year though and with enhanced each-way terms set to offered by most firms, going for one at a bigger price could well be the strategy. Oscar Elite has hold a huge chance having finished third in the race last year before running out the winner of the Grade 2 Reynoldstown last month.
Marlborough
Both course form and Festival form can come to the fore here through Corach Rambler, the winner of this race last year, who bids to emulate Un Temps Pour Tout in winning back-to-back renewals of the Ultima Handicap Chase. Indeed, Corach Rambler is 2 from 2 at Cheltenham, with both wins coming over this distance and, having looked to have been kept fresh for this, he is readily fancied to feature here off just a 6lb higher mark than last year. His trainer Lucinda Russell is enjoying a particular warm spell of late and it would not be surprising to see Corach Rambler continue his stable’s good run with a big effort here.
Ed Chamberlin
Fantastikas
Marcus Armytage
Into Overdrive
3.30pm Unibet Champion Hurdle
Telegraph Sport
The reality here is that it’s very difficult to see past Constitution Hill, who is the most exciting jumps horse in training at present. He’s won his last five by an aggregate of over 15 lengths and, put simply, has not raced a rival who is even close to being in his league. This race will go a long way to telling us whether such a rival even exists at present. State Man is perhaps the only horse who could give the favourite something to think about. Unbeaten in six, he has established himself as Ireland’s leading challenger in this division with three straight Grade 1 wins. The other entries have a huge amount to find on the formbook and with less than eight runners looking more likely this could the race where you keep your money in your pocket.
Marlborough
This year’s Champion Hurdle looks a mouthwatering clash between Britain & Ireland’s best, two multiple Grade 1 winning 2 mile hurdlers who come together at the top of their game. State Man is greatly respected from the all-conquering Willie Mullins stable, but he will have to pull out all the stops if he is to prove any sort of threat to Constitution Hill, an imperious galloper who has won each of his 6 starts for trainer Nicky Henderson by double digit margins. He is hard to fault and is readily fancied to confirm himself as the most exciting hurdler we have seen in years.
Ed Chamberlin
Constitution Hill
Marcus Armytage
Constitution Hill
4.10pm Mares Hurdle
Telegraph Sport
The likely redirections of Honeysuckle and Epatante here away from the Champion Hurdle adds a layer of fascination to this one. They may not be the force of old but these are shallower waters than they have been in this season, especially if Marie’s Rock goes for the Stayers’ Hurdle. There is talent further down the market, with Brandy Love, Echoes In Rain and Shewearsitwell all holding good claims for Mullins. Last season’s mares’ novice winner Love Envoi has been impressive but was beaten convincingly by Brandy Love at the back-end of last season and she will need to find more, especially if Honeysuckle reproduces the level of her second toState Man at Leopardstown last time.
Marlborough
Superstar mare Honeysuckle has long been the darling of the two mile hurdling division but, having suffered her first two defeats of an 18 race career in her two starts this season, she looks set to go round at the biggest price of her glittering career under rules. Her two defeats came at the hands of two genuine Grade 1 horses, both of whom go forward as strong fancies in their respective Championship races this week and, back in calmer waters, it is hard not to envisage Honeysuckle stamping her class and proving the one they all have to beat.
Ed Chamberlin
Love Envoi
Marcus Armytage
Theatre Glory
4.50pm Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Telegraph Sport
Wide open as ever. Only one winning favourite in the last ten runnings but has still become a target for Irish trainers with well-handicapped horses. Tekao, Byker and Nusret all fit that bill but at single figure prices there is better value to be had elsewhere. Further down the market, one horse with a similar profile but almost double the price of that aforementioned three is Metamorpheus. His three efforts in novice company have rendered a win and two further decent efforts. He looks well-weighted on his known form, has plenty of room for progression and at 16/1 looks an intriguing bet.
Marlborough
Wide open renewal of this race where cases can be made for plenty of these. Sundial has not shown much to warrant a mark of 120 in this race but we could see a different proposition in this race. He last ran at Punchestown in a handicap (without the tongue tie that he had worn in 6 prior starts) where he struggled to make an impact. However, the reapplication of the tongue tie plus first-time cheekpieces could really help Sundial as he bids to give his trainer Padraig Roche back-to-back wins in this race.
Ed Chamberlin
Zanndabad
Marcus Armytage
Bad
5.30pm WellChild National Hunt Chase
Telegraph Sport
The market is dominated by Irish-trained horses, with both Mullins and Gordon Elliott holding strong hands. Gaillard Du Mesnil is a three-time Grade 1 winner and a one who looks ready to win over a marathon trip such as this. The same is true of both Mahler Mission and Chemical Energy, both of whom have left the distinct impression that they will be seen to their best over trips far in excess of three miles. It would be no surprise to see Minella Crooner end day one on a high.
Marlborough
Gaillard du Mesnil has shown himself on several occasions to be more than a high-class prospect when tried at 3 miles and beyond, having finished a good 3rd in both the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase & the Irish Grand National, retaining his novice status in the process. He opened his account over fences earlier this season on his only try at 3 miles so far this campaign, winning in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and he is strongly fancied in this company trying 3m6f for the first time – he rates banker material.
Ed Chamberlin
Minella Crooner
Marcus Armytage
Chemical Energy
