'I'm a tipster on ITV racing – I have seven selections for Cheltenham today including 10-1 shot'
The Cheltenham Festival is back with its 102nd edition in full swing. The Greatest Show on Turf is poised to deliver once again, with hundreds of thousands of attendees expected to enjoy the action.
As we enter day one of the festival, ITV Racing's Matt Chapman is already prepared with his seven selections today, including a 10-1 shout with the tipster getting the show off the road in a big way through his Paddy Power blog.
13:20: Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)Beginning the festival with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over an extended 2m, Chapman has chosen Old Park Star (2/1) to grab the victory, given he's won all three starts over hurdles this season at Kempton, Cheltenham, and Haydock.
Trainer Nicky Henderson is a perennial winner in the event, having gained triumphs with River Ceiriog, Flown, Altior, Shishkin, and Constitution Hill, and will hope to add Old Park Star to his winning collection.
14:00: Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)In the Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase over 2m, Chapman has once again gone with the trusty Henderson, who trains Lulamba (13/8). Unbeaten in three races over fences at Exeter, the tipster believes Lulamba will edge out Kopek des Bordes, and should he do so, will become Henderson's ninth win in the event.
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It's Saratoga (8/1) for the win in the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Fred Winter) over an extended 2m for Chapman. Described as a strong stayer with a capable jump, a fast pace led by jockey Mark Walsh could lead to victory.
15:20: The Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (each-way)Coming in at odds of 12/1, Chapman is backing JohnnyWho to claim a stunning victory at the Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase over 3m1f. Despite undergoing wind surgery since his last effort, a narrow second-placed finish in the Kim Muir last year and a finishing fifth in the Irish National have given the tipster confidence.
16:00: Champion Hurdle (each-way)In the biggest race of the day, Brighterdaysahead (5-1) has been picked as the winner in the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle over an extended 2m. Led by Gordon Elliott, being 1lb higher than The New Lion and her relative freshness coming into the race has led Chapman to be convinced of her victory for Jack Kennedy.
It would be a first Champion Hurdle success for Elliott, who was named the top trainer at the Cheltenham Festival in 2017 and 2018.
16:40: Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase (each-way)Opting to go with an outsider, it's Will the Wise (10-1) for the win in the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase over 2m4f, according to Chapman. Having finished sixth in the Pertemps Network Final last season and fourth in the Troytown at Navan, Will the Wise has been backed over the menacing Madara, trained by Dan Skelton.
17:20: National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap ChaseThe last race of day one is the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase over 3m6f with Iceberg Theory (5/1) backed despite his lack of experience. Trained by Paul Nolan, Chapman believes he can pull off a win ridden by Conor Stone-Walsh.