Our top team of tipsters nominate their selections for the seven races on the opening day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
1.30pm Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
David Ord - ELIXIR D'AINAY
Threatened to shake-up Envoi Allen between the final two flights at Naas before being too keen behind Latest Exhibition at the Dublin Racing Festival. Drop back to a strongly-run two miles looks the right move, in very good hands and interesting outsider in the opener.
2.10pm Racing Post Arkle Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
Mike Cattermole - GLOBAL CITIZEN
Ben Pauling’s Global Citizen then won the Wayward Lad at Kempton in gutsy style, holding off Rouge Vif who was then successful at Grade 2 level at Warwick, giving Nube Negra a much bigger beating than Esprit Du Large had done at Sandown. Al Dancer was back in fourth so the form is really solid. Pauling has wanted to keep Global Citizen (the highest rated hurdler in the field) fresh for this and reports him in great shape.
2.50pm Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Simon Holt - ATLANTA ABLAZE
I can't resist having a pop at a big price in the Ultima Handicap Chase. The ultra-tough Vinndication looks sure to carry top weight valiantly here, but most of his best form has come going right handed, and the Henry Daly-trained mare Atlanta Ablaze could be over-priced. This Grand National entry is very useful when on-song as was the case when beating a promising rival at Market Rasen in November, and she was running a terrific race in the National Hunt Chase here last year until falling at the second last. Atlanta Ablaze may well be one to catch fresh these days and, off the course since early December and reappearing after a wind operation, it won't be a surprise if she makes a bold bid at a big price for her in-form trainer.
3.30pm Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Ben Linfoot - CILAOS EMERY
Cilaos Emery has developed into a seriously good two-mile chaser this season and, after his fall at Christmas, it was a shrewd move to send him back over hurdles with this race in mind. I've got it between Willie Mullins' charge and Epatante and at the prices I think Cilaos Emery has to be the call. He'll just need to jump a bit slicker than at Gowran Park but it was his first run over hurdles for a while. Off his chase mark (165) he's the best horse in the race.
4.10pm Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1)
Oli Bell - BENIE DES DIEUX
Benie Des Dieux has just about everything - so talented but also seriously versatile and she jumps really well in the main as well. She can set the record straight from last year's late mishap and can boost Willie Mullins' already fantastic record in the race.
4.50pm Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase (Listed)
Ed Chamberlin - HOLD THE NOTE
Mick Channon won this race three years ago with Mister Whitaker and looks to hold outstanding claims once more. Hold The Note jumped impeccably at Warwick last time and looked a touch unlucky to be overhauled by a strong stayer. Dropping back in distance at Cheltenham looks just the job for this really promising novice.
5.30pm National Hunt Chase (Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase) (Grade 2)
Matt Brocklebank - RAVENHILL
Carefully Selected sets the benchmark with an official rating of 152 and anything like a clear round will make him very hard to beat. However, he hasn't looked straightforward in the jumping department and although Ravenhill fell when last seen, he has some really smart chase form in the book too. Trainer Gordon Elliott was happy to go on record stating he though this horse was well-handicapped off a mark of 142 so it looks significant he comes for this race instead following the defection of stablemate Champagne Classic.
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