Ed Chamberlin previews Tuesday's big three races at the Cheltenham Festival

Lee Mottershead wrote an interesting and fair piece about The Opening Show in the Racing Post last week. Predictably, the show had a tough baptism with a new format and channel, especially with the midweek Festival programmes, but now has a settled time slot and home at 9.30am on ITV4 every Saturday morning and seems to be finding its niche.

I was a huge Morning Line fan but I think it’s worth remembering that in its pomp it didn’t have two specialised racing channels, hundreds of digital channels, social media, Facebook, people watching content on smartphones etc, all competing for time and eyeballs.

I’m also sure that cricket and rugby fans will be envious that 30 years later, whilst they have lost the likes of The Rugby Club, Boots ‘N’ All and Cricket AM, horse racing still has a magazine show, which is also bucking modern trends and growing its audience.

Over 230,000 watched The Opening Show last weekend and allied to the fact that the afternoon shows on ITV4 so far in 2018 are 20% up on this time last year, we are in a good place approaching our second Cheltenham Festival.

Talking of which, it’s time to start finalising our thoughts for those great four days and here is my latest view on the three big Grade Ones on Tuesday.

Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

It’s a funny year in this division and as things stand the only real stand-out horse at the moment is Getabird. He’s 6/4 with the sponsors but it’s worth remembering the complexion of the race could change a little at declaration time with connections of horses opting to take this favourite on rather than Samcro in the Ballymore.

I love Kalashnikov having backed him to win the Tolworth and he was very brave when landing the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. He has invaluable experience of the hurly/burly of a big field, something that can find out many an inexperienced horse in this race. That’s a big positive.

My worry, though, is whether he’ll have the speed to win a Sky Bet Supreme having landed the Betfair through stamina and courage.

One horse among the entries who interests me is Duc Des Genievres. He’s caught the eye on both his starts so far and shaped very well when chasing home Samcro in the Deloitte last time. He’s improving at a rate of knots and will go well wherever he ends up at Cheltenham – although the update from the Willie Mullins media day on Monday seemed to suggest they are minded to go up in trip for the Albert Bartlett rather than stay down for the Sky Bet Supreme.

Racing Post Arkle

This is shaping up to be the race of the week. Footpad has been the outstanding novice chaser of the season and he looks an absolute natural at the game. However, over the last few weeks competition has emerged thick and fast.

There are plenty who are expecting Petite Mouchoir to be a different proposition to the horse Footpad beat in the Irish Arkle on better ground at Cheltenham.

Saint Calvados was mightily impressive in the Kingmaker at Warwick, as he had been on his two previous starts at Newbury, and he threatens to change the whole complexion of the race. All of a sudden Footpad now has a bold-jumping rival who could take him on for the lead.

The Racing Post Arkle promises to be a thriller from flagfall and I’m starting to lean towards Simon Munir and Isaac Souede’s other runner, Sceau Royal. He was only three lengths behind Footpad in last year’s Champion Hurdle and this race could be set up for him.

He can pop away out back and come through to pick up the pieces late – just as he did in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown. We know he zooms around these Cheltenham bends and he’s my fancy for a fascinating race.

Unibet Champion Hurdle

Everything in sport is cyclical and it just happens the two mile hurdling division isn’t the strongest at the moment. In many ways that’s a shame for Buveur D’Air who isn’t being tested to a degree that will allow him to show the full extent of his ability.

Let’s hope the current positive vibes about Faugheen continue over the next fortnight – the race badly needs him fit and firing on day one of the Festival.

Sky Bet have a market – betting without Buveur D’Air – and the one who catches my eye is his stablemate Verdana Blue. She’s 20/1 and makes some each-way appeal with the non-runner/no bet safety net.

She really caught the eye in the Betfair Hurdle on ground she hated, cantering through much of the race before it took its toll. She’s a very talented mare and one who I think could run well in this.

Exclusive Price Boost: Verdana Blue 33/1 without Buveur D'Air (non-runner/no bet EW 1/5 1-2-3)

Related horse racing links

• 2018 Cheltenham Festival Guide
• Sky Bet's Cheltenham Festival odds (NRNB)
• Free horse racing betting tips
• All today's racecards
• Today's fast results
• Today's full results
• Non-runners
• Today's Goings
• Today's Naps Table
• ABC Guide