CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2016 -- DAY ONE (CHAMPION HURDLE DAY)

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL– TUESDAY MARCH 15th 2016
1.30pm 2m 110yds Supreme Novices Hurdle	Supreme Novices Hurdle  And we’re off…and no shocks to see most races have plenty of fancied runners from Willie Mullins, here he's got MIN / BELLSHILL amongst the front of the market where the home challenge comes from Nicky Henderson ALTIOR .  We will side with ALTIOR here in the opener. .  Result -- 1st;  ALTIOR 4/1 -- a great start to the festival.
2.10pm 2m Arkle Chase	Arkle Challenge Trophy DOUVAN is a very short price for this already and will surely only need to jump safely to win, Is priced up about 1/3F so doesn't appeal as a betting medium, and with only 7 runners it's making an EW selection tricky.  In a race I'd rather watch than play I will suggest a small bet on SIZING JOHN from a yard how to place a decent type around here.  Result -- 1st; DOUVAN 1/4F. No shocks there, but we picked up the place on Sizing John 2nd 9/1 .
2.50pm 3m 1f Festival H'cap Chase	Festival Handicap Chase  24 declared for this handicap chase, a race where many could run well and place but picking the winner could elude us even with a dozen selections.  SOUTHFIELD THEATRE looks a big price at 25/1 and should stay around here with a place a good result. Another in good form and looks a good place bet is BEG TO DIFFER and we'll aim to back both these to win/place. Result -- 1st; UN TEMPS POUR TOUR 11/1.
3.30pm 2m 110yds Champion Hurdle	Champion Hurdle  A shame that injury prevents last years winner Faugheen from attempting a repeat win but Willie Mullins can still call on the likes of ANNIE POWER / NICHOLS CANYON.   Of the home challenge it's THE NEW ONE and MY TENT OR YOURS, the former has not really hit top class and I'm going to side with the Henderson inmate today at 9/1 Result -- 1st;  ANNIE POWER 5/2F. We did manage the place with My Tent or Yours but the winner goes to Ireland.
4.10pm 2m 4f Mares Hurdle	"David Nicholson" Mares Hurdle (2m 4f) We've 20 runners declared and an Even Money fav with VROOM VROOM MAG from the all powerful Mullins / Walsh partnership.  That's too short for us here so we'll look for a decent EW option, and for me FLUTE BOWL should run well, has already won a couple of the qualifiers for this event and the Moore yard know a thing or two. Is priced at 33/1 and I think that's better value than the short fav.  Result -- 1st; VROOM VROOM MAG 4/6F.
4.50pm 4m NH Chase (Amateur Riders)	Toby Balding National Hunt Handicap Chase (4m) 20 Amateurs line up next, this is going to take some getting too and not a race for the feint hearted.  VICENTE comes from the Paul Nicholls yard and looks fairly reliable as a jumper and comes with a good experienced jockey on board as a bonus. Is priced about 16/1 so worth a play win/place. 5th 14/1 Also at a much bigger price I like the Mick Channon trained VIVA STEVE who appears about 66/1 in the markets and has placed before at a nice price for us. 8th 66/1 Result -- 1st; MINELLA ROCCO 8/1.
5.30pm 2m 4f Centenary Novices Chase	Centenary Novices Handicap Chase (2m 4f) Our finale on the opening day is a novices chase over 2 1/2 miles, bit of an uninspiring ante climax really but competitive all the same with another 20 lining up in front of the starter. WILLOWS SAVIOUR Fell 10/1 and DOUBLE SHUFFLE 3rd 8/1 are our selections against the field in the last on day one. Result -- 1st BALLYALTON 12/1 Enjoy your Cheltenham Festival this week.

GOOD LUCK
RESULTS SHOULD APPEAR DURING THE COURSE OF THE AFTERNOON