'She's one of my strongest bets of the meeting' - why this horse can win on day one of the Cheltenham Festival
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Our tipsters and reporters provide their selections for day one of the Cheltenham Festival.
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Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.20 Cheltenham, Tuesday)
Sober Glory
By Paul Kealy
Including his point, Sober Glory has seven wins from eight runs to his name, and the only time he hasn't looked potentially top class was when he clearly failed to give his running at Sandown in December.
He's right up there with the best of these on the form of his runaway success at Newbury, where his time was particularly good.
El Cairos
By Jack Haynes
There is no doubting the ability of El Cairos.
Last season's Champion Bumper fifth was likely about to become the new Supreme favourite before falling at the last at Leopardstown at Christmas.
He got back on track with an easy win at Thurles in January and clearly has a massive engine.
You have to take a chance on his jumping being up to standard in this company, but if it is, he has to be a big player.
Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (2.00 Cheltenham)
Kopek Des Bordes
By Tom Park
Kopek Des Bordes clearly comes with risks, but it’s easy to forget just how dominant he was when winning the Supreme last season. He had the field strung out like washing, and I think he’s a notch above Lulamba, despite his inexperience.
Lulamba
By Maddy Playle
Nicky Henderson is set for a strong start to the 2026 Cheltenham Festival as Lulamba looks to have improved considerably for the switch to chasing. Only narrowly denied in the Triumph Hurdle last year, this athletic youngster has all of the hallmarks of an Arkle winner.
McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2.40 Cheltenham)
Amnes
By Harry Wilson
James Owen has a fine record with juvenile hurdlers and it’s interesting he got a useful Flat horse (rated 90) like Ammes qualified with three quick runs in the autumn. His narrow defeat to Triumph hopeful Minella Study in a Listed contest last time reads well and he’s open to improvement.
The Mighty Celt
By Tom Park
The Mighty Celt has some interesting form in France, beating Precious Man first time out and twice chased home France’s top juvenile Leopard Du Berlais. He has since been gelded, had a wind op and switched to Dan Skelton. He was an eye-catching third to Manlaga on his stable debut at Haydock, but has been dropped 3lb for that and looks an each-way player at a big price.
Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (3.20 Cheltenham)
Jagwar
By Johnny Dineen
Jagwar has to prove his stamina for a contest like this but although that’s a box that remains unticked, he’s very much the most likely winner at this stage. His tremendous course form and experience are going to be major assets when he returns to the festival, and although he’s restrictively priced, he’s hard to get away from.
Myretown
By Maddy Playle
Myretown may have been racing off a mark of just 127 when he bolted up in this race last year, but he made a lasting impression that day and this running does not look as strong as can often be the case. His stable has a history of winning repeat editions of this race and although he is restrictively priced, he's hard to get away from.
Unibet Champion Hurdle (4.00 Cheltenham)
Lossiemouth
By Tom Park
The fact that connections have decided to come here rather than the Mares' Hurdle points to her being in terrific form at home. She’s clearly better than she was when Leopardstown specialist Brighterdaysahead beat her last time, but the roles are reversed here as Lossiemouth loves Cheltenham. She's one of my strongest bets of the meeting.
Anzadam
By Harry Wilson
This is the most open Champion Hurdle I can remember and it could be worth taking a chance on Anzadam. The Irish Champion Hurdle looked to be about getting him to settle, which he did, with an eye on the future and, given he had previously gone well in the Fighting Fifth, he could surprise a few.
Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase (4.40 Cheltenham)
McLaurey
By Matt Williams
Most of McLaurey’s best form under rules is over 2m, but he won a soft-ground point easily over 3m and while that doesn’t always translate, the step up in trip ought to be a positive.
Madara
By Maddy Playle
The 2024 December Gold Cup runner-up Madara very much caught the eye at Kempton last month, never being put in the race before charging home to finish second. Still only a sevenyear-old, he has untapped potential off his mark, which has not strayed much from 140 since joining the Skeltons.
National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase (5.20 Cheltenham)
Backmeorsackme
By Harry Wilson
Stamina looked a forte for Backmersackme when catching the eye in a 3m1f handicap chase at Cheltenham in October and he was again strong at the finish when winning at the Dublin Racing Festival. This stiffer test looks likely to suit and he has plenty of handicapping scope.
Wade Out
By Tom Park
He has his own way of going through his races, and he has got an awful lot of jumps over this marathon trip, but the way Wade Out hit the line over 3m1f two starts ago suggests this race will be perfect for him. You can ignore his run at Windsor last time – that track was never going to suit, but I’m sure it will have put him spot on for this.
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