The first day of the Cheltenham Festival is very nearly upon us, drawing back the curtain on four days of the very best jump racing has to offer.
The undoubted highlight of day one is the Unibet Champion Hurdle (3.00), in which Constitution Hill is the red-hot favourite to regain the crown he first one back in 2023.
Brighterdaysahead and last year’s winner State Man will be those attempting to stop Nick Henderson’s charge from making it a perfect 11 wins from 11 starts in his career.
The first race of the meeting has been renamed the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, in honour of the late jockey who died after a fall at Thurles last month.
Click here to remnind yourself of some of Telegraph Sport’s ante post Cheltenham selections.
Cheltenham Festival day one tips
1.20: Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1 )
Marcus Armytage: The red hot favourite has an engine but pulls hard and Tripoli Flyer beat a good horse at Kempton and has a massive engine for a 25-1 shot.
Charlie Brooks: Willie Mullins says Kopek des Bordes may be one of the best he has. He looks like a champion.
2.00: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: Again the favourite Majborough looks like his jumping might be flawed and L’Eau du Sud can kick off a good week for Dan Skelton.
Charlie Brooks: I loved the way L’Eau de Sud quickened up at Cheltenham in November and was really clever when wrong at the last.
2.40: Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Marcus Armytage: A runaway winner at Kempton last time, Katate Dori is fast improving and jockey’s 3lb claim comes in handy.
Charlie Brooks: I like horses that come through the Kempton meeting before the Festival. Some people thinks its too close to Cheltenham, but I don’t. Katate Dori has gone up 12lbs but he’s got a nice racing weight.
3.20: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: Joyeuse won the Betfair Hurdle off a low weight but rapidly improving and the favourite Lossiemouth had the mother and father of falls last time.
Charlie Brooks: Fancied Lossiemouth for the Champion hurdle, and this is much easier. Kempton at Christmas was too sharp for her, and her fall last time was a one off blip.
4.00: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: The best hurdler in a generation, Constitution Hill only has to stay upright.
Charlie Brooks: Brighterdaysahead was incredible at Leopardstown at Christmas and will be piling on the pressure if the odds on favourite misses a beat.
4.40: Boodles Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
Marcus Armytage: Stencil ran a good second to the favourite for Friday’s Triumph last time, this is his race.
Charlie Brooks: A mistake at the last cost Total Look in the Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham. Stayed on really well at Fairyhouse.
5.20: National Hunt Chase
Marcus Armytage: Hasting stayed on nicely last time out over three miles, has a nice profile for this race which is now long distance novice handicap chase.
Charlie Brooks: Pic Roc. Stable in form, and has run some terrific races this season over shorter trips. Step up in distance should suit.
Cheltenham Festival day one ground and weather
The ground for day one of the meeting is currently good to soft and with no rain forecast to hit Cheltenham before Tuesday, you can expect the ground to be no softer than its current reading come the first race. The weather for Tuesday is currently set to overcast but dry, with highs of 7C.
Betting on Cheltenham?
There’s a lot of competition between bookmakers for customers during the festival and they will often run their best promotions of the year, especially earlier in the week. Take a look at these Cheltenham betting offers to find free bets to use throughout the week.
How to watch Cheltenham Festival day 1
ITV will show the first six races of the day on ITV1 on free-to-air television and via its streaming platform ITVX. For full coverage of all seven races, you need a Racing TV subscription.
Betting on the Cheltenham Festival? Find our best Cheltenham free bets and Cheltenham betting offers to take advantage of between March 11 and March 14, 2025.
