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Cheltenham day 1 tips from racing experts (including a 100/1 shot): ‘He’s sure to have improvement in him’

Jennifer Donald Jennifer Donald

    • As we count down to the sound of the Cheltenham roar that greets the start of the first race at the Cheltenham Festival, many people will be seeking out some Cheltenham day 1 tips.

    The Cheltenham Festival’s opening day is billed Champion Day, with the Unibet Champion Hurdle the feature race. But there’s also a superb supporting cast of races to enjoy, including the Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase, the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase, plus the traditional curtain opener, the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

    With more than 20 runners lining up in three of Tuesday afternoon’s races at Cheltenham racecourse, picking a winner seems a daunting task. So we’ve asked the racing experts to share their Cheltenham day 1 tips to help steer you through this feast of sporting action.

    Cheltenham day 1 tips

    Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle tips (1.20pm)

    Talk The Talk
    Trainer: Joseph O’Brien | Jockey: JJ Slevin
    Racing journalist Carl Evans says: “Another fabulous renewal of the Festival’s opening race, and once again brimming with young talent, but there’s only one Grade One winner in the field, and that’s Talk The Talk.”

    Old Park Star 
    Trainer: Nicky Henderson | Jockey: Nico de Boinville
    Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer and H&H columnist Kim Bailey says: “Old Park Star is incredibly quick and straightforward. He jumps well and is improving.”

    El Cairos 
    Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Jack Kennedy
    Cheltenham Festival-winning former jockey and H&H columnist Davy Russell says: “I’m torn between Old Park Star and El Cairos, but just for a bit more value I’d side with El Cairos. His lack of experience over jumps is reflected in his price and I think Old Park Star will be very hard to beat, but El Cairos should give him plenty to do. He has solid form in the bumper, finishing fifth at the Festival last year, and visually he’s very good.”

    Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase tips (2pm)

    Kopek Des Bordes
    Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Paul Townend
    Racing journalist Carl Evans says: “A longish-priced winner is quite possible in this very open-looking contest, but it is hard to ignore likely favourite Kopek Des Bordes.”

    Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase tips (3.20pm)

    Handstands 
    Trainer: Ben Pauling | Jockey: Ben Jones
    Handstands is my pick as H&H racing editor. Ben Pauling revealed that Handstands is like a ‘bull in a china shop’ at home, such is his wellbeing since a wind operation in December. Horses who have suffered breathing problems nearly always benefit from a confidence-boosting run post-surgery and the seven-year-old’s performance at Windsor last month could well have been that turning point. I think he’s possibly one for each-way punters.

    Stolen Silver 
    Trainer: Georgie Nicholls | Jockey: Olive Nicholls
    Cheltenham Festival-winning former jockey Davy Russell says: “He’s got brilliant form around the track and may have slipped under the radar coming from a small stable.”

    Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase tips (4.40pm)

    Madara  
    Trainer: Dan Skelton | Jockey: Harry Skelton
    Racing journalist Tom Peacock says: “Dan Skelton has a host of leading chances but has proved very effective in the big handicaps. This gelding has caught the eye in behind on both starts this season and is sure to have improvement in him.”

    So those are your Cheltenham day 1 tips all tied up. H&H will be bringing you daily news from the 2026 Cheltenham Festival and you can enjoy added insight, interviews and exclusive comment from Festival-winning jockey Davy Russell in the bumper magazine report, in the shops Thursday 19 March.

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    Jennifer Donald
    Jennifer Donald

    H&H showjumping editor
    Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
    Jennifer Donald

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