Cheltenham tips: one key runner from each ITV race on day one of the festival

ITV will be broadcasting six live races from the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. The action on day one features some high-class names, most notably Epatante, Honeysuckle, Goshen and the exciting Shishkin, and we've got you covered for the day's terrestrial TV coverage.

Cheltenham Festival Tuesday: ITV Racing tips

Our Spotlight experts select their best bets for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival

1.20 Cheltenham
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, 2m, Grade 1

Appreciate It heads the smallest ever field for the Supreme as he aims to provide trainer Willie Mullins with a seventh success in the festival opener. Last year's Champion Bumper runner-up is unbeaten in three hurdle starts this season, most recently when beating Ballyadam by more than three lengths at Leopardstown, and is 6lb clear on official ratings. Tolworth Hurdle winner Metier, who is also 3-3 over hurdles, and Betfair Hurdle scorer Soaring Glory lead the British team.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Appreciate It

Last year's Champion Bumper runner-up who is 3-3 over hurdles, including two Grade 1s

Day one at Cheltenham:

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One standout quote for each of the seven races at Cheltenham on Tuesday

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Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase, 2m, Grade 1

Last year's Supreme winner Shishkin is set to be a very warm order for Nicky Henderson, who is the most successful trainer in the race with six victories. Shishkin is unbeaten in all his completed races and has turned on the style with three chase victories this season. In the absence of key rival Energumene, the front-running Allmankind is likely to be the main danger.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Shishkin

Unbeaten all completions under rules, including Supreme in 2020 and three bloodless chase wins

2.30 Cheltenham
Ultima Handicap Chase, 3m1f, Grade 3

A typically competitive running of the festival's first handicap of the week with Happygolucky a leading candidate after winning at the course in December. Aye Right would be a deserving winner for his small stable following his gallant efforts in defeat in top staying handicap chases this winter, while novice One For The Team and last season's Kim Muir winner Milan Native are others with strong claims.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Happygolucky

Likes it here; 4th in Martin Pipe last March; taken well to fences; can improve further

Tuesday's free Cheltenham Festival tipping:

Paul Kealy's banker at Cheltenham on Tuesday

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Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, 2m, Grade 1

The opening-day highlight promises to be a captivating contest with superstar mares Honeysuckle and Epatante in receipt of 7lb against the likes of Goshen. The unbeaten Honeysuckle won the Mares' Hurdle last season but tackles the big one this time, while reigning champion Epatante needs to bounce back from a below-par display behind Silver Streak in the Christmas Hurdle. Goshen, who agonisingly unseated his rider at the last when well clear in last season's Triumph Hurdle, comes into the race on the back of a wide-margin success in last month's Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Honeysuckle

Brilliant mare, still unbeaten; beat Abacadabras by ten lengths in the Irish Champion Hurdle

Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, 2m4f, Grade 1

Willie Mullins has won this race an amazing nine times since its inception in 2008 and Concertista, the 12-length winner of last year's Mares' Novice Hurdle, could continue his domination. Roksana was a fortunate winner of this race two years ago, but she has been better than ever this term, albeit over longer distances. Dame De Compagnie and Indefatigable are the other previous festival winners in the field.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Concertista

Won 2020 Dawn Run; beat Minella Melody in two Graded races this term; the one to beat

4.15 Cheltenham
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, 2m

Leading contender Houx Gris has had just one start for Paul Nicholls when third in the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle, but has a similar profile to his trainer's three previous winners. In contrast, Saint Sam, who wears a hood for the first time, has been highly tried by Willie Mullins in three starts. Joseph O'Brien, who won the race two years ago, saddles Busselton and Druid's Altar.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: Houx Gris

Dual French winner; promising third in a Grade 1 on stable debut; probably on a nice mark

ITV7 tips and predictions

The ITV7 competition is back and is completely free to play, with a potential £50,000 up for grabs. Users will need a Sky Bet account to enter, so if you don't already have an account sign up using this link and take advantage of the free bet offer .

Race 1, 1.20 Cheltenham: APPRECIATE IT
Race 2, 1.55 Cheltenham: SHISHKIN
Race 3, 2.30 Cheltenham: HAPPYGOLUCKY
Race 4, 2.55 Sedgefield: GUETAPAN COLLONGES
Race 5, 3.05 Cheltenham: HONEYSUCKLE
Race 6, 3.40 Cheltenham: CONCERTISTA
Race 7, 4.15 Cheltenham: HOUX GRIS

Check out the Racing Post for the latest tips and odds for every race at the festival. The best Cheltenham betting advice and exclusive free betting offers all in one place.

Tuesday's race previews:

Alastair Down: the theatre may be empty but let's cast aside gloom and relish the spectacle (Members' Club)

1.20 Cheltenham: will the cream rise to the top in smallest Supreme field in modern history?

1.55 Cheltenham: dangers await but here's why Shishkin should have all bases covered in Arkle

2.30 Cheltenham: Happygolucky has 'outstanding chance' to bring Bass and Bailey glory in Ultima

3.05 Cheltenham: Goshen goes in search of redemption for Moores in Champion Hurdle

Who do racing's finest experts fancy to win a vintage Champion Hurdle (Members' Club)

3.40 Cheltenham: can Concertista take her place among greats in quality running?

4.15 Cheltenham: Mullins hoping drop in class pays dividends for Saint Sam and Youmdoor in Boodles

4.50 Cheltenham: 'He's got endless stamina' – smart stayers clash in National Hunt Chase