CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2017 -- DAY ONE TUESDAY (CHAMPION HURDLE DAY)

NOT MUCH ROOM TO MOVE IN HERE

OPENING DAY OF THE 2017 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL, EXPECTING OVER A 250,000 PEOPLE OVER THE FOUR DAYS, AND 65,000+ ON GOLD CUP DAY ITSELF. THE BEST TOP CLASS NH RACING ANYWHERE, AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO MOVE FOR IRISH PEOPLE.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL– TUESDAY MARCH 14TH 2017
1.30pm 2m 110yds Supreme Novices Hurdle	Supreme Novices Hurdle  Day one, Race one, of the 2017 NH Festival and we're off... Our first bet of the meeting would have been Paul Nicholls inmate MOVEWITHTHETIMES who he was particular keen on during one of the pre festival interviews, and having backed it at around 10/1 last week am annoyed that it's not even declared to run now so already lost.  Willie Mullins had 10 of the five day declarations (26) so will be interested to see how many line up and which ones are selected, he's got 4 left in this today and has the likely fav MELON while his "2nd string" BUNK OFF EARLY shouldn't be far away. Result -- 1st;  LABAIK 25/1.
2.10pm 2m Arkle Chase	Arkle Challenge Trophy This looks like a simple task for the Nicky Henderson star ALTIOR, who baring a fall can take this before being targeted at the next level. So no realistic bet here but if you must have an each way flutter then the odds on FOREST BIHAN could be interesting in the place markets and with 9 runners declared at least there are places on offer.  Result -- 1st; ALTIOR 1/4F.
2.50pm 3m 1f Festival H'cap Chase	Festival Handicap Chase  Just the small matter of 24 runners for this 3m+ chase, and it would be fitting if VINTAGE CLOUDS could win today for this connections having lost Many Clouds recently. GO CONQUER is another with good place form and at 25/1 might be worth a look for Aiden Coleman. Result -- 1st; Un Temps Pour Tout 9/1.
3.30pm 2m 110yds Champion Hurdle	Champion Hurdle  The opening day's feature race is of course the Champion Hurdle and this year we're missing a few of the big guns from recent years but there's still a quality field. Now headed by YANWORTH who landed the Christmas hurdle at Kempton in good style beating The New One who will re-oppose here again today. I have been following FOOTPAD since last year and this dual french winner could be a good price (16/1) with Ruby Walsh booked for this event. Not many Mullins /Walsh runners at that price and has a chance. Result -- 1st;  Buveur D'air 5/1.
4.10pm 2m 4f Mares Hurdle	"David Nicholson" Mares Hurdle (2m 4f) The Mares Hurdle is a Grade 2 hurdle run over run over two miles and about four and a half furlongs. It is open to mares only, aged five and above and has been won for the last 8 years by Willie Mullins, should have been renamed the QUEVEGA Mares Hurdle but carries the name of the late David Nicholson.  LIMINI looks a likely banker to give his trainer another win, though support for APPLES JADE would be interesting.  Result -- 1st; APPLES JADE 7/2.
4.50pm 4m NH Chase (Amateur Riders)	Toby Balding National Hunt Handicap Chase (4m) The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup is a Class B chase run over four miles. It is the oldest race at the festival and is open to novices aged five years old and upwards, all horses are ridden by amateur jockeys who have to be Category B (Britain) and Category C (Ireland) riders to take part in the race.  We have a field of 18 declared where our selection will be BEWARE THE BEAR for whom Sam Waley-Cohen is booked to ride.  Also worth a look and an absolutely massive price (66/1) is WHAT A MOMENT, who has won over 3m+ and has a decent Amateur jockey booked. The Pipe yard are known for a bit of a gamble and this might just be over priced now back on better ground. . Result -- 1st; TIGER ROLL 16/1.
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, where we have a field of 20 declared. Might be favourable to find something in form as it's not much of a handicap at the weights but the likes of MIXBOY and CAPTAIN REDBEARD should be considered in their current form although both are up in the weights as a result.  The Irish challange will be strong but again at decent odds the ALL HELL LET LOOSE and support would be interesting. Result -- 1st TULLY EAST 8/1. Enjoy your Cheltenham Festival this week.

GOOD LUCK
RESULTS SHOULD APPEAR DURING THE COURSE OF THE AFTERNOON