Robbie Power joins us direct from Cheltenahm to give his best bets for the Day 1 of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
1.30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
I’m looking forward to Fiddlerontheroof. He was a Grade 1 winner in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.
He was very impressive in the Tolworth on soft ground so I think he’s got a huge chance.
Abacadabras is probably the speed horse in the race but I think soft ground around Cheltenham might just blunt his speed.
Shishkin has been very impressive in his two starts so he’s probably the one we have to beat but I’d be reluctant to swap Fiddlerontheroof; I think he’s got a fantastic chance on soft ground over Cheltenham.
Best Bet: Fiddlerontheroof (13/2)
2.10 Arkle Chase
Notebook has been very impressive in his last two starts in Grade One races. He got very worked up in the race before the Dublin Racing Festival which would be a slight concern in Cheltenham.
I actually think there’s a lot of pace on in this race with Cash Back and Notebook so I think Fakir D'Oudairies can just storm the pace.
He stays really well and he loves soft ground so I’m going to go with Fakir D'Oudairies to reverse the form with Notebook.
Best Bet: Fakir D'Oudairies (4/1)
2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase
It’s always a very competitive handicap. Mister Malarkey was an impressive winner in Kempton the 3 mile handicap chase there, drying ground would suit.
He was fourth in last year’s RSA which is good course form also.
My fancy for the race is Discorama, Paul Nolan’s runner. He was second in the 4-miler last season so 3m1f should be ideal for him around Cheltenham on soft ground as well which is suitable.
Best Bet: Discorama (8/1)
3.30 Champion Hurdle
I’m looking forward to riding Supasundae here, he’s got a lot of things in his favour. He’s got soft ground over 2 miles at Cheltenham, should be ideal.
A lot of people are saying it’s not a vintage renewal but it’s a very competitive Champion Hurdle. A lot of the horses are covered very close by ratings but I wouldn’t swap Supasundae.
Look at his two runs at the back end of last season, when he beat Buveur d'Air in Aintree and then was second to him at the Punchestown Festival over 2 miles. He’s a dual Grade 1 winner over 2 miles.
He won a Coral Cup at Cheltenham and he was second in the Stayers’ Hurdle so I think he’s got a massive chance and at his price is a good each-way bet here.
Best Bet: Supasundae (10/1)
4.10 Mares' Hurdle
Stormy Ireland would have to have a very good chance. She’s a good mare in her own right, probably just a couple of pounds behind Benie Des Dieux and Honeysuckle.
If for some reason those two didn’t turn up on the day she would be bang in there to pick up the pieces. I fancy Benie Des Dieux, I’ve been very impressed with her having ridden against her a couple of times.
I think she’s a better mare this year than she was last year and I fancy her to take care of Honeysuckle. It’s a good clash between the two mares but I’m going to side with Benie Des Dieux.
Best Bet: Benie Des Dieux (4/6)
4.50 Novices’ Handicap Chase
Highest Sun’s form has been a little bit hit and miss this season over fences. He was second to Pym in a 3-mile race at Ascot earlier this season and not far behind Champ in Newbury one day.
I think the most likely winner of this race is Galvin of Gordon Elliott’s. He has some decent form over fences and he could just be a few pounds to help the handicap in what will be a very competitive novice handicap.
Best Bet: Galvin (13/2)
5.30 National Hunt Chase
I think we could have another Irish winner of this race.
He was very impressive when he won a Grade 2 Chase at Punchestown.
Not so much over 3 miles in Naas but that race came quick enough on the back of the Punchestown race, I think he was maybe a little bit flat. He’s been freshened up since then.
Of the English horses I think Springfield Fox of Tom George’s has been very impressive in two chase wins. He’s a fantastic jumper, he’ll probably go from the front and he’s probably the biggest danger to Carefully Selected.
Best Bet: Carefully Selected (13/8)
Robbie's Day 1 Picks
*Prices correct at time of publication
1.30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
I’m looking forward to Fiddlerontheroof. He was a Grade 1 winner in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.
It looks like we’re going to start the festival on soft ground which will be bang up his street.""
He was very impressive in the Tolworth on soft ground so I think he’s got a huge chance.
Abacadabras is probably the speed horse in the race but I think soft ground around Cheltenham might just blunt his speed.
Shishkin has been very impressive in his two starts so he’s probably the one we have to beat but I’d be reluctant to swap Fiddlerontheroof; I think he’s got a fantastic chance on soft ground over Cheltenham.
Best Bet: Fiddlerontheroof (13/2)
2.10 Arkle Chase
Notebook has been very impressive in his last two starts in Grade One races. He got very worked up in the race before the Dublin Racing Festival which would be a slight concern in Cheltenham.
He did jump a small bit out to his right as well which again, would be another slight worry.""
I actually think there’s a lot of pace on in this race with Cash Back and Notebook so I think Fakir D'Oudairies can just storm the pace.
He stays really well and he loves soft ground so I’m going to go with Fakir D'Oudairies to reverse the form with Notebook.
Best Bet: Fakir D'Oudairies (4/1)
2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase
It’s always a very competitive handicap. Mister Malarkey was an impressive winner in Kempton the 3 mile handicap chase there, drying ground would suit.
He was fourth in last year’s RSA which is good course form also.
My fancy for the race is Discorama, Paul Nolan’s runner. He was second in the 4-miler last season so 3m1f should be ideal for him around Cheltenham on soft ground as well which is suitable.
I think he’s got a good each-way chance in the race.""
Best Bet: Discorama (8/1)
3.30 Champion Hurdle
I’m looking forward to riding Supasundae here, he’s got a lot of things in his favour. He’s got soft ground over 2 miles at Cheltenham, should be ideal.
A lot of people are saying it’s not a vintage renewal but it’s a very competitive Champion Hurdle. A lot of the horses are covered very close by ratings but I wouldn’t swap Supasundae.
Look at his two runs at the back end of last season, when he beat Buveur d'Air in Aintree and then was second to him at the Punchestown Festival over 2 miles. He’s a dual Grade 1 winner over 2 miles.
He’s got good course form as well.""
He won a Coral Cup at Cheltenham and he was second in the Stayers’ Hurdle so I think he’s got a massive chance and at his price is a good each-way bet here.
Best Bet: Supasundae (10/1)
4.10 Mares' Hurdle
Stormy Ireland would have to have a very good chance. She’s a good mare in her own right, probably just a couple of pounds behind Benie Des Dieux and Honeysuckle.
If for some reason those two didn’t turn up on the day she would be bang in there to pick up the pieces. I fancy Benie Des Dieux, I’ve been very impressed with her having ridden against her a couple of times.
I’ve ridden against her in France and in Gowran Park and she was very very impressive.""
I think she’s a better mare this year than she was last year and I fancy her to take care of Honeysuckle. It’s a good clash between the two mares but I’m going to side with Benie Des Dieux.
Best Bet: Benie Des Dieux (4/6)
4.50 Novices’ Handicap Chase
Highest Sun’s form has been a little bit hit and miss this season over fences. He was second to Pym in a 3-mile race at Ascot earlier this season and not far behind Champ in Newbury one day.
He was disappointing when favourite the last day in Warwick.""
I think the most likely winner of this race is Galvin of Gordon Elliott’s. He has some decent form over fences and he could just be a few pounds to help the handicap in what will be a very competitive novice handicap.
Best Bet: Galvin (13/2)
5.30 National Hunt Chase
I think we could have another Irish winner of this race.
I think Carefully Selected will be hard to beat.""
He was very impressive when he won a Grade 2 Chase at Punchestown.
Not so much over 3 miles in Naas but that race came quick enough on the back of the Punchestown race, I think he was maybe a little bit flat. He’s been freshened up since then.
Of the English horses I think Springfield Fox of Tom George’s has been very impressive in two chase wins. He’s a fantastic jumper, he’ll probably go from the front and he’s probably the biggest danger to Carefully Selected.
Best Bet: Carefully Selected (13/8)
Robbie's Day 1 Picks
*Prices correct at time of publication