Tuesday 11th March
13:30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
The opening race of the Cheltenham Festival is an interesting one. The two favourites, Irving (11/4 with Coral) and Vautour (3/1 with Bet365), ridden by Nick Scholfield and Ruby Walsh respectively, are out in front ahead of third-in-line Wicklow Brave (13/2 with Betfred).
For our money, we really like the look of outsider Josses Hill which is 16/1 with SkyBet. We fancy an each-way bet with this horse as it is an outsider, but could easily place given a solid run.
14:05 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase
The second race of the day is a nine-horse event, with another Ruby Walsh horse, Champagne Fever, as the favourite. Champagne Fever is 11/4 with BetVictor to win, while Trifolium and Rock On Ruby are both at 9/2, with Sportingbet and Paddy Power respectively.
In this one, we like the look of Dodging Bullets each-way at 5/1 with Stan James. The horse is coming off the back of an impressive run of three wins in his last four, and only narrowly lost out in his last run to the highly-rated horse, Module. At 5/1, he represents very good value.
15:20 The Champion Hurdle
Although Hurricane Fly is the defending Champion and started as favourite this race could be very very tight with Hurricane Fly drifting past 3/1. My Tent Or Yours and The New One are trading prices just behind and will fancy their chances. Of the two we fancy The New One at 7/2 to have more stamina and finishing ability, having won the Novice Hurdle last year. My Tent Or Yours did edge him out The New One near the line in the Christman Hurdle but we think that experience should help here.
As an outside each way bet we fancy 9/1 shot Jezki, just a hunch that one...
16:00 OLBG Mares’ Hurdle
This race should be a no-brainer to anyone who has an interest in horse-racing. Heavy favourite Quevega should be the horse to back here after a series of very successful races. The bookies are just happy it’s the only clear favourite of the festival, while punters will be queuing up to back it. Given it’s widely expected to win, the odds aren’t great but you can still find Quevega at 5/6 for the win on Betfair.
HOWEVER, it is Cheltenham, and it wouldn't be right if a bookie didn't introduce a ridiculously crazy new-account offer for the Festival. Coral have bumped up Quevega's odds to a quite-frankly ludicrous 4/1 for new customers! Follow our link here to take advantage of this barmy offer: http://bit.ly/MLxKyr.
16:40 Terry Biddlecombe National Hunt Chase
A 15-horse-race is the penultimate ride of the day, and as such it could be hard to pick a winner here. But we like the look of Shutthefrontdoor each-way at 7/2 with Boylesports. The horse has had an indifferent last-four races but looks the strongest of the horses in the pack for the Chase, hence our preference for the each-way bet.
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Click to ClaimSam publishes regular feature and tips pieces for Howtobet4free. He has a blog, crackingjabulanis.blogspot.co.uk, and can be found on Twitter by following @Gaytski.
