Oli Bell tips and best bets for the opening day of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival

Held in high regard by the Henderson team and ran well in the circumstances in the Dovecote last time. Can underline his potential star status by landing this given a more even gallop.

Needs a career-best to win this but is building towards one and made a deep impression when winning the mares' novices hurdle here last year. Ground is coming right and she's going to run a mighty race.

Joseph O'Brien's charge looks to have been trained for this and caught the eye over an inadequate trip last time. This test is going to be much more to his liking and cheekpieces are applied for the first time.

Sam Waley-Cohen is in the saddle on the Classic Chase winner who showed tremendous resolution to beat Calett Mad at Warwick. This stamina test plays to his strengths and he'll relish the final climb up the hill.