Arkle Day At the Cheltenham Festival: Day One Preview

Arkle Day At the Cheltenham Festival: Day One Preview by Kirby C. Grimes– The most exciting four days in racing begins on Tuesday with day one of the Cheltenham Festival. The highlight of the National Hunt calendar, the next four days will see the top jumps horses in the world compete against one another. It all kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Eastern with six great races on tap. A total of 97 horses are scheduled to go, making for large field sizes and great wagering opportunities. Win/Place,exacta and trifecta wagering is available on all races with the chance for handsome rewards. The drying ground, with the course listed as soft and soft to good in places, will allow for memorable races and thrilling finishes.

The Festival comes away from the tape with a dash with the Grade One Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle. Contested over the two mile minimum trip, 14 runner are slated to race. Headlining the field is Min, the 9/5 morning line favorite in the U.S. pool.

Trained by champion conditioner Willie Mullins, Min is undefeated in two attempts over hurdles. Both wins came at Punchestown and last time out was a Grade Two victory. Both wins however, were against overmatched fields and the dry ground could poise an issue as he has yet to be tested late in races which is sure to happen in this race.

Offering the best value, and the pick in this race, is Altoir. The Nicky Henderson trainee has won four in a row against solid competition. He won the November train for this race, also at Cheltenham, while being challenged late. Winner of two races over similar ground as he will face in this race, he will be very sharp off the layoff and is primed to win.

Other horses to consider for exactas and trifectas include Bellshill, winner of three hurdle races including a Grade One. Known to have some fluency issues while jumping, his good form should keep in the race. Mister Myagi, who has won four races in a row, could land a top spot. He has not faced the types of horses as he will today, he is adept at running on late. Finally be sure to include Tombstone, he runs on late and beat Bellshill home last time out.

The second race on the day is the feature, the Grade One Racing Post Arkle Trophy. The two mile Chase features the unbeatable Douvan. Trained by Willie Mullins and to be ridden by Ruby Walsh, Douvan is undefeated in the last two years. This race figures to be a walkover for him in preparation for a potential 2017 Grand National run.

For the exacta Vaniteux, winner of a Grade Two Novices Chase at Doncaster last out figures to be the best of the rest. Sizing John figures to run on late for the trifecta. The Arkle is not the best betting race on the card, but is the one race to be sure to watch.

The third race of the day is the Ultima Handicap Chase, a Grade Three over three and one eighth miles. This race has the largest field of the day, but based on the prior races of the entrants, fewer than half will finish. The horse with the best chance to win is Beg to Differ, a winner last time out over similar ground. He runs on late and jumps mistake free. Jockey Aidan Coleman will likely work out a trip for him to avoid the trouble in the race and try to take over the lead on the final few fences.

Out Sam, who had won his last two races over fences will try to steal the race on the front end. However, his jumping is not the best, and sort of mistake late will cost him the race. The drying ground could improve his chances, but he is a risk in his first time against a large field.

Kruzhilinin will likely be sent forth as the favorite. An easy winner last out, his jumping ability leaves a lot to be desired. Other horses to consider for the exotics include Morning Assembly, Ballykan and The Young Master. All are fluent jumpers and should avoid the numerous fallers throughout the race.

Race four on the day, the Stan James Champion Hurdle, features the highest rated hurdlers in Britain. Contested over the two mile trip, tnr Grade One event will likely see three horses contest much of the way for the win. Headling the field is the Willie Mullins trained Annie Power. Winner over hurdles three weeks ago at Punchestown, this will be only her second start since May, 2015. This freshening, combined with her talent and her high percentage connections makes her a logical choice to win

While Annie Power is the favorite both Nichols Canyon and Identity Thief will challenge her. Nichols Canyon has won five Grade One events over hurdles and enters the race with four wins from his last five, including a win the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown. In that race he dueled with Identity Thief for the victory.

Identity Thief led much of that race, was passed by Nichols Canyon on to retake the lead only to passed late again by Nichols Canyon. Assuming Identity Thief keeps Annie Power honest early on in the race, Nichols Canyon should take the lead close to home and win the Champion Hurdle.

The two and a half mile Grade One Mares Hurdle is the penultimate race of the day. The race is all about one horse, Vroum Vroum Mag. Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh team up again for a dominating win. Vroum Vroum Mag will likely make every flight a winning and face very little competition for the win.

If a challenge does emerge it will come from Polly Peachum. The Nicky Henderson trainee has won two of her last three over hurdles and was a second a head in this race twelve months ago. However, she prefers a heavier ground and will likely wind up in the place position.

For third we go with a horse that will likely be overlooked, Flute Bowl. A winner of three listed hurdles over similar drying ground, she will present good value in both the place and trifecta pools.

The final race of the day will be the most challenging for both horse and rider. The four mile Novices National Hunt Chase is for amateur riders and in such events anything can and does happen. Two Willie Mullins entrants stand out on paper with the best chance of winning, Ponte Alexandre and Measureofmydreams.

Ponte Alexandre had the better form of the two, also finishing in the top three of his seven lifetime races. Included in these is a Grade One win over hurdles in 2014. The drawback to him is he prefers wet ground and will likely not take to the drying ground he will face.

Measureofmydreams is the better suited of the two for the distance and ground. Winner of a Grade Two Novice Chase at Navan last time out, he should relish the added distance as well. His jumping is not always fluid, and presents some concern. If he holds it together he is the one to beat.

Definitly Red is an interesting runner for an under the radar trainer. In January over similar ground at Catterick Bridge he took the lead late to win a Novices Chase. Having fared well in large size fields, he is definitely one not to overlook and will be running home late.

Lastly, Southfield Royale is a prime win candidate. Winner of a Grade Two Novices Chase at Doncaster he was second in a Grade One at Kempton last time out. He is another runner that prefers a wet ground but based on his form and talent, he cannot be ruled out.

Day one of the four day Cheltenham Festival will be an exciting day of racing. With world class horses and full fields it is a great chance to enjoy National Hunt Racing. If you are new to the sport, there is no better time to take interest. TVG 2 will be airing the races from the festival and your A.D.W. of choice will offer streaming video and full card wagering.