My selections for Day One of the Cheltenham Festival

The 2024 Cheltenham Festival is here...and so are my selections for Day One!

13:30 - Supreme Novices' Hurdle

We kick off day one of the Cheltenham festival with an Irish dominated Supreme Novices Hurdle. With just under 50% of the field trained by Willie Mullins, the chances of the winner being trained by the Irishman is rather high.
My selection in this race is the JP McManus owned Mystical Power. Priced around 4/1, this winner of the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer at Punchestown in January is well worth a second look at, especially with its excellent pedigree. Whilst this son of Galileo lacked fluency at time with his jumping, he showed a great turn of foot to kick on under Mark Walsh, who is jocked up on him again tomorrow.
I'm expecting this race to be ran at a quick tempo on the soft ground and Mystical Power can sit in behind the pace and pounce late with his impressive turn of foot to continue his unbeaten run.
Mystical Power 4/1

14:10 - Arkle Chase

Moving onto the Arkle, with the antepost favourite Marine Nationale pulling out last week, the market has become considerably more open. I'm siding with the Henry De Bromhead trained Quilixois to run a solid race.
After having a rough time in the last few years with numerous setbacks, the seven-year-old began 2024 with a victory at Naas in a five-runner contest. Proven on the soft ground and already a course winner when victorious in the Triumph Hurdle in 2021, I think Rachael Blackmore's ride will be in the frame and give the market leaders something to be concerned about.
Quilixios 7/1 EW

14:50 - Ultima Handicap Chase

The eyecatching horse in this race for me is Trelawne. Trained by Kim Bailey, who also has the well-fancied Chianti Classico, I saw this horse win on chase debut at Carlisle back in November and I was rather impressed with his efforts. He later followed that up with a good third at Cheltenham behind Grey Dawning and Ginny's Destiny, both of whom are battling favouritism in the Turners.
I think the step up to 3m1f is a positive move and with a rating of 144 and Harry Cobden in the saddle, Trelawne definitely has the chance to produce another good run and be in amongst it all at the finish line.
Trelawne 8/1 EW

15:30 - Champion Hurdle

State Man is the clear favourite for this year's Champion Hurdle after Constitution Hill was confirmed as a non runner. Second in the race last year, I feel it is definitely his to lose this time around. A class apart on ratings compared to the other seven runners, it would be a huge shock if Paul Townend and State Man are not victorious.
At a price, I think Zarak the Brave could run into a place with a reasonable run last year behind the Mares' Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth and winning a grade 3 at Naas in January, even though he has a bit to find on ratings, he could produce a career best run to sneak into the places.
State Man 2/5, Zarak the Brave 22/1 EW

16:10 - Mares Hurdle

Again another race with a Willie Mullins horse heading the market. The short priced favourite Lossiemouth should be able to cope with the step up in trip, especially after travelling on the bridle all the way up the Cheltenham hill last time out over 2m1f. She is the classy horse in the race and could arguably run a good race in the Champion Hurdle if she chose to go there and I can't see her not staying the extra three furlongs and another impressive performance from the five-year-old mare is expected.
At a much bigger price, last year's Mares Novice Hurdle winner You Wear It Well for Gavin Sheehan and Jamie Snowden is towards the rear end of the market. On ratings she will have to produce a big effort especially after a poor run at Haydock as the 1/2F. If she gets an easy lead, there is a chance that Sheehan can control the tempo and knowing that she does stay that bit extra, he could change the run of the race to give You Wear It Well a chance.
Lossiemouth 4/6, You Wear It Well 33/1 EW

16:50 - Boodles Juvenile Hurdle Handicap

I don't have any real fancies in this race, it seems a tough nut to crack. I would definitely be looking at the each-way market and trying to find a horse that is well handicapped and can outrun their mark.
I'm going to side with Eagle Fang for Phillip Enright and William Durkan. Whilst the trainer doesn't send out many runners with only one runner in the last 14 days, which was a winner.
The race Eagle Fang won last time out has produced four of the last five winners of this very race and with Phillip Enright riding him out to victory last time, he can hopefully find a good tune out of him again and be competitive here off a mark of 127.
Eagle Fang 20/1 EW

17:30 - National Hunt Chase

The final race of the day is the 3m5f chase for amatuer jockeys. Whilst I think the Irish raiders all have an obvious chance, I can't seperate them so once again I'm delving into the each-way market and I will take a chance with Kilbeg King.
This horse from the Anthony Honeyball yard has ran well in defeat, notably a 15l third behind Il Est Francais at Kempton on Boxing Day. Whilst he hasn't run beyond three miles, I think it is definitely worth a try with his recent performances showing he is probably capable of step up in trip. Softer ground shouldn't be an issue and he is worth an each-way play.
Kilbeg King 10/1 EW