Cheltenham Day One Betting Tips: Darver Star in the Champion Hurdle?
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The waiting is finally over and thefirst day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival is finally upon us! But who’ll makeit a winning start on a day which includes the Arkle and an open-lookingChampion Hurdle?
Get readyfor the famous Cheltenham roar and join us as we go through the card on theopening day at Prestbury Park, starting with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle…
13:30 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Asterion Forlonge (NB)
If Willie Mullins has a dart in this race it’s usually wise to pay attention. The Irish trainer has won four of the last seven renewals, and while he saddles three this time around, it’s Asterion Forlonge who may take the honours.
Thesix-year-old has come on bundles in 2020 and made an almighty leap to go fromwinning a Maiden to landing a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time out ahead ofsome very handy types indeed.
There aresuggestions he may want further based on those runs. But we think there’s moreto come over 2m from this exciting Novice, who can get the better of both Shishkinand Abacadabras.
14:10 – The Arkle – Notebook (NAP)
Favouritestend to oblige more often than not in the Arkle and Notebook could keep that trend going.
Henry DeBromhead’s stable star is a dual Grade 1 winner this season and faces Cash Backand Fakir D’oudairies again here, both of whom have finished runner-up to theselection this season.
He’ a boldjumper and should have no problem maintaining his unbeaten record under RachaelBlackmore.
14:50 – Ultima Handicap – TheConditional
It’s thefirst Handicap of the Festival and we think it could go the way of The Conditional. The eight-year-old hasbeen uber-consistent since switching from Martin Hassett to David Bridgwater,with form figures of 3124.
Thatincludes a big run at Cheltenham in the November Meeting and a runner-up berthin the Ladbrokes Trophy last November, both of which suggest this 3m 1f contestcould be his optimal trip.
A betterround of jumping is required than his run at Warwick. But taking that as agiven, he looks to have a fantastic chance of hitting the frame, even if hedoesn’t quite end up in the winners’ enclosure.
15:30 – Champion Hurdle – Darver Star (Lively Longshot)
This year’sChampion Hurdle is so open you could drive a bus through it. And with Epatantenot looking very strong at the head of the betting, it’s Darver Star who gets the nod for 2019 winner Gavin Cromwell.
Theeight-year-old has shown huge progression this season over a range of trips,going from a 119 rated horse to a 158 rated horse, while his price for theChampion has dropped from 100/1 to near single figures.
Even moreimpressively he’s only been beaten by Honeysuckle, Envoi Allen and Abacadabrasin his last two runs, all three of whom are near the head of the market intheir respective races at the Festival.
A number whowere behind him that day reoppose in this, and with further progressionexpected from our selection, we reckon he could spring a shock for the trainerfor the second year running.
16:10 – Mares’ Hurdle – Benie Des Dieux
Benie Des Dieux won this in 2018 and would havetaken it again 12 months later had it not been for a fall at the last whenclear of the field. She’s taken to reclaim her title in a mouthwatering matchwith Honeysuckle.
Put simply,in every race our pick has completed, she’s won. That’s hard to knock, and withthe experience of previous Festival’s under her belt, we reckon she can get thebetter of the pretender to her crown.
16:50 – Northern Trust Novices’Handicap – Earlofthecotswolds
The recent trendsfor this race suggest you want a horse rated between 137 and 140 who’s won in theirlast three runs. On that basis, Earlofthecotswoldscould be the one to side with at an interesting price.
NigelTwiston-Davies’ runner has shaped well since a fall on debut over fences andgot up to win at Exeter in December. He’s been off since then, but with arecord of going well fresh, he has decent each-way claims.
17:30 – National Hunt Chase – Lord Du Mesnil
You need aproper dour stayer to win the National Hunt Chase. And while Carefully Selectedis a worthy favourite, his suspect jumping makes him opposable with theconsistent Lord Du Mesnil.
RichardHobson’s runner is a proven stayer and showed his credentials to full effectwhen runner-up in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last month.
Thisrepresents a similar test over a slightly longer distance, and with stamina themost important thing in a contest like this, Lord Du Mesnil should manage toget home, which will give him every chance.
All odds and marketscorrect as of date of publication
