Cheltenham Festival Day 1
The Cheltenham Festival 2015 is finally here! Racing fans travel from all over the globe to hear the famous Cheltenham roar and see the world’s biggest trainers and jockeys battle it out for the one of the most coveted prizes in racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The opening day of this year’s festival is set to be a corker and we’ve taken a look at the headline races for our tips.
Mullins Looks to Fly at Cheltenham
The Stan James Champion Hurdle is the headline race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. With previous winners such as Istabraq, Rock on Ruby and two of tomorrow’s challengers Hurricane Fly and Jezki, the victor will be held in high regard.
Trainer Willie Mullins has his pick of runners for the race including Faugheen and Arctic Fire, however the one horse many punters will have their eye on is Hurricane Fly.
The eleven-year-old gelding has won his last three races over fences in Ireland, beating Jezki on all three occasions. Winning this race back in 2013, Mullins will be hoping that his recent form can see him pass the post first.
Ridden by Peter Townend (as Ruby Walsh has selected to ride Faugheen) he is priced at 8/1.
Fry Provides A Bit of a Puzzle at Cheltenham
Established in 2008 the OLBG Mare’s Hurdle has been a familiar stomping ground for the duo of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh. With success in the race for the past six years thanks to Quevega they face a stiff challenge to keep their record intact this year with a challenge from Harry Fry’s Bitofapuzzle.
Winning last time out at Ascot and priced at 5/2, the seven-year-old has impressive form behind her having won five times out of six starts.
Ridden by Noel Fehily, she is good value at 20/1.
Today’s Tip Of The Day
Cheltenham 14:05 Vibrato Valtat
The Arkle Challenge Trophy has been won by some of the most memorable horses in racing including Moscow Flyer, Captain Chris and most recently Sprinter Sacre and Simonsig.
Having not won the race for over a decade trainer Paul Nicholls will be hoping that six-year-old Vibrato Valtat can kick start his Cheltenham festival and provide a first victory in the race since 1999.
Winning his last three outings, the grey gelding has some impressive form behind him and is partnered by Sam Twiston-Davies.
Priced at 5/1 he our tip of the day.