Cheltenham Festival Champions Day 1

Tuesday 13 March 2018

A departure from the usual format with both a win and an each-way selection for each race during the Festival 

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SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh have won his race 3 of the past 5 runnings so with Getabird showing a frightening turn of foot last time out (same conditions) and an abundance of stamina, he can win this.

Paloma Blue ran too freely last time at Leopardstown so if finding some cover in this larger field, he can run into a place.

SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
WIN	Getabird
Each Way	Paloma Blue

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ARKLE NOVICES’ CHASE

Both Saint Calvados and Footpad are exemplary jumpers who seem to relish these condition – however Saint Calvados knows his jockey better than Footpad on this occasion and could might make the difference between first and second

ARKLE NOVICES’ CHASE
WIN	Saint Calvados
Forecast	Footpad winner

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ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE

Vintage Clouds came a respectable 2^nd in his last (Grade 2) race and is as game as they come but is carrying 7lb higher than last year’s run when he fell so if the memory is still too fresh then your could do worse than look to Cogry who won here last October and has the least weight to carry with Jamie Bargary taking off 3lb

ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE
WIN	Vintage Clouds 3rd
Each Way	Cogry

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CHAMPION HURDLE

Buveur D’Air is the stand out here and has to be the banker of the day

Faugheen sports first time cheekpieces which could be a revelation returning to the scene of his highest profile wins

CHAMPION HURDLE
WIN	Buveur D’Air winner
Each Way	Faugheen

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OLBG MARES’ HURDLE

OK, so we have two bankers of the day with Apple’s Jade joining Buveur D’Air for the honours.  She is the returning queen of hurdles and has made short work of most of this field at one time or another. 

Midnight Tour can outrun her huge odds reunited with Davy Russell and with course and distance form as long as conditions don’t worsen

OLBG MARES’ HURDLE
WIN	Apple’s Jade  3rd
Each Way	Midnight Tour 2nd

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NATIONAL HUNT CHASE

This race could be a war of attition – 4 miles on heavy/soft going!  Miss Parfois looks to be a ‘wind her up and let her go’ horse who should keep on going on ground she’s won on before – she’s only ever been out of the places on 2 of her 13 starts

Rathvinden hasn’t a problem with the ground and had is not been for the UR last time out, might well have been my first choice. 

NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
WIN	Ms Parfois 2nd
Each Way	Rathvinden winner

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CLOSE BROTHERS NOVICES’ HANDICAP CHASE

Mister Whitaker is that rare breed – a Mick Channon chaser!  He has a decent enough strike rate here with them though and this course winner has taken to chasing (form reads 3-1-2-1) and can go well if coping with the going.

Livelovelaugh won’t have such ground worries and this drop back in trip will suit. Won’t be able to boss the field here though although he’ll likely try

CLOSE BROTHERS NOVICES’ HANDICAP CHASE
WIN	Mister Whitaker winner
Each Way	Livelovelaugh   F

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