Cheltenham Festival - Tuesday / Supreme Novices, Arkle, Champion Hurdle...

Come and discuss all the news and views for the opening day of this year's festival. What are you on? What are you looking forward to? Have you won? Highlights from the Tuesdya

I have also set up an unofficial Twitter account for this thread @606v2racing to comment on the festival and hopefully direct a few more racing fans this way.

Updates in green

GOING: (Old course) Chase & Hurdle courses - GOOD (Good to soft in places; Watered); Cross-country course - GOOD TO FIRM (Watered in parts)

1:30 William Hill Supreme Novices´ Hurdle Grade 1 Cl1 2m110y
Will Darlan bounce back from a fall in the Betfair Hurdle for Henderson and McCoy or can Dermot Weld get the Irish get off to a flyer with Galileo's Choice? AGENT ARCHIE at 25/1 could be one to watch.

19 runners go to post for the opener. Darlan is the current favourite but Montbazon has been the talking horse in the past few days and could challenge for favouritism. Steps To Freedom & Cinders And Ashes are also being heavily supported. Vulcanite could be an interesting each way bet. Galileo's Choice has been tipped in most newspapers (6), while Darlan, Cinders And Ashes (2) are next.

2:05 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase Grade 1 Cl1 2m
Sprinter Sacre is currently an odds-on chance after big defeats of French Opera last time out and Peddler's Cross at Kempton over Christmas but struggled up the hill in the Supreme Novices last year. AL FEROF who won that race at the 2011 Festival ran a fine 3rd behind Sommersby in the Grade 1 Victor Chandler Chase last time out and could be the danger.

Only six go in this race but Al Ferof and Spriner Sacre look top notch. Paddy Power are offering money back on bets if Sprinter Sacre wins (see website for full details). Sprinter Sacre is currently the second best back horse today after Hurricane Fly. Menorah could definitely be a major player if he gets a clear round. Newspaper tipsters are split three ways Sprinter Sacre leads with 8 while Al Ferof and Menorah both have 3.

2:40 JLT Specialty Handicap Chase Grade 3 Cl1 3m110y
Hold On Julio and Quantitativeeasing head the betting but the David Pipe trained THE PACKAGE has been a big mover in the market despite not being seen out for nearly 500 days.

Quantitativeeasing and The Package are the most tipped in newspapers with 3 each. Tullamore Dew has halfed in price and could be one to look at.

3:20 Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy Grade 1 Cl1 2m110y
HURRICANE FLY is a banker for many and looking to win back-to-back Champion Hurdles. He was pushed all the way last year by Peddlers Cross and has won comfortably twice this season. Zarkandar is still unbeaten over hurdles and won on his comeback in the Betfair Hurdle. Binocular looked in good form last time out but may have to settle for a place.

The Champion Hurdle has 10 runners with Hurricane Fly leading the market. Zarkandar is an unknown at this level and has been lighted raced this year. Rock On Ruby is another that has got tongues wagging over the weekend but is surely an each way bet at best. Hurricane Fly is the most tipped and most backed in this race.

4:00 Glenfarclas Handicap Chase (Cross Country Chase) Cl2 3m7f
SCOTSIRISH heads the betting after winning a cross country race at Punchestown in February. Garde Champetre always goes well at Cheltenham while Sizing Australia and Maljimar could be alternatives.

Dancing Tornado has been nibbled at in the betting and is now trading around 16/1 while Terre De Vent has come in from around 33/1 to 20/1. Scotsirish has received the most tips in the newspapers while Midnight Haze and Gone To Lunch are interesting outsider tips.

4:40 OLBG Mares´ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares´ Hurdle) Grade 2 Cl1 2m4f
QUEVEGA has won this for the last two years and looking for a three-timer. Unaccompanied was second behind Zarkandar in the Truimph Hurdle in 2011 and although well beaten by Hurricane Fly could go well in this race.

5:15 Pulteney Land Investments Novices´ Handicap Chase (Listed Race) Cl1 2m4f110y
HUNT BALL has been improving all season and may still be ahead of the handicapper here despite a 10 length win at Kempton last time out. The only worry would be if the ground came up on the softish side on Tuesday. Triolo D'Alene for Nicky Handerson and That'll Do for Paul Nicholls could be others to look out for.

Carrick Boy has been shortened in the market and has been tipped 3 times in Tuesday's papers.

Have only had a few bets so far still working my way through the trends.

Supreme Novice - I've backed Tetlami, Mountbazon & Trifolium all EW at double figures. Won't be backing a horse that fell last time out (Darlan) or one thats been off the track for so long (Steps to Freedom) in this one.

Arkle - I dont think I'll have a bet. Can't see past Sprinter in this one. The rest have question marks and nobodies big enough for me to back now.

JLT - still looking at.

Champion Hurdle - Wanted to back Binocular but left it too long and values gone. On Oscars Well at 14/1.

Cross Country - Havent looked at properly but leaning towards Sizing Australia again.

Mares Hurdle. Quevegas won it 3 times. Cant see her getting beat. Will most likely back last season's 4th Alasi whos looked good this season.

Havent looked at the last race. Will include the likes of Hurricane Fly, Quevega and Sprinter Sacre in a few accumulators so that I can still celebrate if the obvious happens..

Cheltenham certainly doesnt seem to get any easier.Heres my view on day one.
1.30 Darlan will be many peoples idea of the winner but he is easy to rule over after a mother and father of a fall last time out.Some of his hurdling had been "scruffy" in previous starts,cant have iffy jumpers round here in Championship events.Montbazon,Steps to Freedom,Vulcanite and Colour Squadron have close links on form from this and last season.Steps to Freedom loves this time of year and the better ground that goes with it,good form in the book and with conditons right a solid effort looks assured.MONTBAZON was behind Jessy Harirngtons charge in the Aintree bumper but hes improved on both timber topping starts this season,bolted up at Plumpton before winning a strong renewal of whats normally just a run of the mill novice at Newbury.He hurdles well,travels kindly,likes decent ground and most importantly,he rounds his races off well.Cant see him out of the three.If the monsoons did arrive then Colour Squadron would enter the fold,he relishes those underfoot conditions but on normal Festival ground then theres a few in here with too much basic speed.Alan Kings charge to take this at the expense of his old foe Steps to Freedom.

2.05 SPRINTER SACRE looks like the next two mile superstar in waiting.He has everything,fluent jumping,high cruising speed and a finishing burst.Just cant see anything keeping tabs on him and being able to mount a challenge.Al Ferof has solid form from last season and this but he got outspeeded at Ascot by Somersby and Fininans Rainbow.The same fate will await him here.

2.40 Loads with chances,too many to mention really,however the one that catches my eye is MAGNANIMITY.Seems to enjoy the better ground that comes this time of year,he ran a belter at last years Festival in the RSA and his last run hinted at better to come.Working mans price for small ew.

3.20 HURRICANE FLY has it all,fluid hurdler,travels fantastic and potent burst at the finish.The configuration of the hurdle track plays to these strengths and hes hard to oppose.Binocular at his best would at least give him a race and his last effort was taking but running down Celestial Halo is a world away from running down Hurricane Fly.Of the bigger priced ones i do think Overturn is over priced,closely matched with Binocular,hes been freshened up for this and if hes left alone out front he might take a deal of getting past.The Fly to prove hes one of the best in the modern era but ew saver on Overturn.

4.00 Scotsirish had very solid form at 2m-2m4 and hes carried that over into this specialists event.He is certainly on the upgrade over these unique courses but hes priced accordingly and represents little value.There isnt many secrets about the rest of the field,plenty of old friends in the line up and its one of those,MALJIMAR,whos my idea of a vfm bet against the favourite.No problems with ground and trip,has run well here before and has slipped to an ultra low mark,granted that the has a long break to overcome but the stable are dab hands at getting one ready at home.No forlorn hope.

4.40 Quevega is a standing dish and her place in Festival folklore is assured but all good things come to an end and it might be that UNACCOMPANIED is about to take her mantle.Rock solid form in the top grade over shorter,she seemed to be caught out by the sharp inside track and bad ground at Leopardstown last time,this slighter further trip and better surface seem sure to suit.She can serve it up to the Mullins supermare.

5.15 Nightmare of a getting out stakes.Hunt Ball is on a steep upward curve but top weight in this may prove too much.Always thought that this sort of race would suit VINO GREIGO,hes not everyones idea of a betting proposition but one day he will deliver on the promise he showed as a bumper/novice hurdler.he was fourth in this last year off a very similar mark,this renewal doesnt look as strong.Shot in the dark but im hoping the fires will be relit by another Festival outing.

Win , Lay and Each Way Tuesday

Win - Hurricane Fly

Lay - Darlan

EW - Tetlami

It was interesting to see The Package being tipped in a couple of newspapers today.

The Arkle is one of the more intriguing races on the opening day. Sprinter Sacre has look a real good horse this season over two miles but I can't help think he won't get up the hill.

Having watched his race at the Festival last season he did struggle up up the hill and Al Ferof looked much fresher. Previous Cheltenham form is always a big plus.

Pricewise selections from the Racing Post are:-

The Package 7-1 2.40
Alfie Sherrin 25-1 2.40

Dancing Tornado 25-1 4.00
Shop DJ (E/W) 20-1 4.40

Sprinter Sacre won't be beaten. He's a year older and a year stronger. I think that by the time he runs out of gas, he will be so far ahead it won't matter.

Not a good day so far for Ruby (Walsh that is) or the Irish. It will be interesting to see if Quevega can get them on the board.

Alfie Sherrin has saved my day so far. How has everyone else done?

Not a great day. Started badly, couldn't separate Montbazon & Cinders & Ashes so flipped a coin - wrong side came up; was going to back Overturn each way but talked myself out of it.
But, my nap of the week (Sprinter Sacre) strolled in.

I had the last winner too. Didn't bother with the Quevega races.

A tremendous days racing but you can guarantee that it will be the three deaths that grab the headlines in the press tomorrow.Its just an very unfortunate side to the sport,commiserations to all connected.
On the racing front we had the pleasure of seeing a superstar in the making...Sprinter Sacre.Looks like a champion for the next couple of seasons at least.Rock On Ruby won the champion hurdle fair and square but cant imagine the Ap and Ruby will look back on their rides with any great relish,you can give weight away but you cant give start,they were totally caught out of their ground and both Hurricane and Binocular did well to finish as close as they did.Quevega was just class personified,her place in Festival folklore is guaranteed.Cinders and Ashes wo a muddling Supreme Novice,they crawled for a mile which got plenty racing too free and the sprint for home didnt suit everyone,i'll take this form with a pinch of salt.Alfie Sherrin came back to form with a nice win in the JLT but the one to take from this was Fruity O Rooney,he ran a stormer,having being ridden from the front throughout.In the finale,hats off to Hunt Ball who continued on his massive upward curve.

i had a total MARE today at the races, heres to hoping tomorrow is a better day for me. Some blooming good racing though pity about the 3 casualties as this will more than likely make the headlines