Cheltenham Festival Tipster Tips (Day 1)

It’s finally here: Cheltenham Festival. And I love it!! So, I'm no good betting on the nags so I have gone out and found top tipsters giving tips on the UK’s best betting sites. You will find a selection of tips from resident tipsters across a range of bookies on today's two feature races of the day: the Champion Hurdle and the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Have a great day of betting and good luck!

1:20 Cheltenham - Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Jane Mangan (William Hill)

It has been won by some brilliant horses in the last 10 years: Altior, Shishkin, Constitution Hill, and most recently Kopek Des Bordes, and I think that it will take that calibre of horse to win it this time around. Unsurprisingly, nine of the last 13 winners have been trained by either Willie Mullins or Nicky Henderson, but I think this year it’s going to go to an outside camp. Joseph O’Brien has gone on the record saying that TALK THE TALK is one of the most Jumps talented horses he has ever had, and I thought he did really well to win at the Dublin Racing Festival when coming from a long way off a slow pace on heavy ground. The drying conditions should only suit this horse with his turn of speed, and I think he’s the real deal. He’s the one to kick the week off for me.

Barry Geraghty (William Hill)

Nick Luck (William Hill)

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Katie Walsh (Betfred)

My bet is perhaps a little too short but I do like Old Park Star in the Supreme Novices'. He's a super jumper, quick as fire, gallops, jumps and I love everything about him.

Megan Nicholls (BetMGM)

Mighty Park (5/1) is the one for me in the opener on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

He was so impressive in his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse and the reports have all been incredibly positive about him, despite his lack of experience.

Willie Mullins has won this race eight times, including last year with Kopek Des Bordes, and he looks to have a very exciting novice on his hands.

I should mention this looks a very deep Supreme and I’d imagine loads in here will go on to be pretty smart, but I have a feeling Mighty Park might be a bit special.

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Matt Chapman (Paddy Power)

I have long been an OLD PARK STAR fan, and while there are numerous horses in here you can make a case for – it’s a cracking renewal – I can’t find any negatives for Old Park Star other than his price is a little short.

He’s won all three starts over hurdles this season at Kempton, Cheltenham, and Haydock, and looked a monster last time. He did hang a little left into the rail late on there, but he was miles clear. The fact that he has gone off at prices of 11-2, 5-2, and 4-5 so far suggests Nicky Henderson and his team have been a little surprised by how good he is on the track, which bodes well.

He keeps it for the course. Henderson has won this five times with River Ceiriog, Flown, Altior, Shishkin, and Constitution Hill, and doesn’t usually miss in this with a good one. Nico de Boinville is on top. Let’s get off to a bang.

Ruby Walsh (Paddy Power)

A smaller field than expected, but this still looks a deep Supreme. I have a few concerns about some of the market principals, and I like the look of Leader d’Allier. He has the ideal profile, he’s a solid jumper and he should see this trip out strongly.

Neil Morrice (Hollywoodbets)

Siobhan Mullins (TigerBet)

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Richard Hoiles (Betway)

This includes one of the most hyped horses of the week, Mighty Park, who comes to the Supreme rather than the Turners, with his trainer making lofty comparisons to past stable stars. He locks horns with the major British hope Old Park Star from the yard that has given us Altior, Shishkin and Constitution Hill. He has been a little more visible than Mighty Park, having moved from Paul Nicholls at the end of last season, but at the prevailing prices TALK THE TALK s preferred. His form lines with the likes of Skylight Hustle, Ballyfad and El Rasko Grey will be well tested this week, and it was his defeat of the latter pair at the Dublin Racing Festival that caught the eye. Poorly placed in a steadily run race, he produced a very taking turn of foot to lead on the line — a performance which deserves upgrading — and his claims look to have more substance than some of his rivals at this stage.

Alan Dudman (Betfair)

Sober Glory's  gives us a puncher's chance on ratings, especially with the four places here on offer each-way on the Sportsbook.

I like the fact he's got a lot of experience, and he couldn't have been more emphatic under a double penalty last time winning by a massive 27 lengths in a testimonial lap of honour. The fact his form at Newbury and Chepstow at stiff finishes bodes well, as does going left-handed.

Jockey Ben Jones, who has ridden him to two of the hurdles' wins this term is on, and Jones felt after a Newbury that while a 2m4f miler for the future, he does show speed and he warmed up in terms of his jumping at the last four at Newbury. A strong pace will most certainly play to his strengths and I can see him running strongly up the hill.

Katie Midwinter (Betfair)

Five-year-old chestnut Talk The Talk finished strongly from a difficult position when narrowly beating two exciting prospects in Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey at Leopardstown when last seen. It looked an unlikely result, but the Joseph O'Brien-trained contender displayed great speed and talent to prevail, landing a first Grade One in the process.

In his penultimate start, Talk The Talk fell at the last when looking likely, but not definite, to beat Skylight Hustle at the top level. He had previously won a Grade Three at Fairyhouse following a Limerick maiden, improving as he gains experience, and could take another step forward at Cheltenham.

Well-bred, related to a number of black-type achievers including Goshen, luckless in the 2020 Triumph Hurdle, dual Grade Two winner Elimay, as well as Delmegan, Talk The Talk has shaped as though he has a bright future ahead of him with a number of good performances. He's been able to get himself out of trouble, learning plenty along the way, which should hold him in good stead in this tough assignment.

A likeable performer who has already shown grit and determination, as well as a high level of ability, Talk The Talk warrants plenty of consideration, holding solid claims in this Grade One contest under JJ Slevin.

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4:00 Cheltenham - Champion Hurdle

Jane Mangan (William Hill)

We have a very open Champion Hurdle (4:00pm) this year. It’s fantastic to see Lossiemouth lining up but I think that she will struggle to match the talent and turn of speed that The New Lion possesses. Whilst it will be difficult for Dan Skelton’s gelding to give the mares seven pounds, the drying ground is a concern for Brighterdaysahead, and I think he has the talent to beat both. The International Hurdle doesn’t have the best of records when it comes to producing the winner of this race, but I think he has what it takes to win this year. He has course form and I think he is the one to be with.

Barry Geraghty (William Hill)

This is a really tricky race this year with question marks over the strength of some of the form. I don’t believe we saw the best of LOSSIEMOUTH at the Dublin Racing Festival last time. She didn’t travel, she didn’t jump and to me it just looked a lacklustre performance. She’s won all bar four of her runs over hurdles, but that was her most laboured performance in defeat behind Brighterdaysahead. She is probably better over two-and-a-half miles, but she wears cheekpieces here for the first time which could sharpen her jumping.I think if she produces her best, then she brings the strongest form into the race and is the one to beat.

Nick Luck (William Hill)

THE NEW LION will probably win the Champion Hurdle . All sorts of results are possible here, but I take a much more positive view of this horse than some, feeling he’d have ultimately beaten Golden Ace with some comfort in the Fighting Fifth and appreciating that the Trial was simply a way of ensuring a clear round. The presence of Tutti Quanti, Workahead and Brighterdaysahead – plus Lossiemouth in cheekpieces – might well ensure he can be smuggled into this off the pace, which will suit. He is not sure of speed. Alexei is possibly the each way play at a price.

Katie Walsh (Betfred)

My NAP for day 1 is Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle, I absolutely love her...

She's got cheekpieces on her and she's uber consistent around Cheltenham. She's a three times winner there and I think she wins again tomorrow.

She operates beautifully round here and clearly loves it, she's also obviously getting that 7lb Mares' allowance which could be the big difference.

Lossiemouth all day for me but I also like the look of Golden Ace to do well again. She's been here and done that

Megan Nicholls (BetMGM)

It’s fantastic that it’s so competitive and the fact Lossiemouth  turns up makes it all the more intriguing. I was all set to back The New Lion but Lossiemouth being in there with cheekpieces has really thrown me and I’ve switched to her.

Matt Chapman (Paddy Power)

Getting 7lb, the value for me lies with BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD, as she may be the first to pounce on pacemaker Tutti Quanti. I’m the first to believe in evidence so far that this is not the track for my selection – although she was a fair second to Golden Ace in the mares’ novice – but there have been reasons given for previous defeats, and the makeup of this race should be ideal.

Gordon Elliott’s runner stays strong and beat Lossiemouth last time. She’s rated 1lb higher than The New Lion but gets 7lb. If she performs to her best, she should simply win for Jack Kennedy, and, being relatively lightly raced, she should be reaching a peak. Elliott is looking for his first Champion Hurdle success. At least an each-way chance.

Ruby Walsh (Paddy Power)

Lossiemouth will sport cheekpieces for the first time in an attempt to help her keep up with the early pace. She’s better suited to more steadily run races over this trip, and Brighterdaysahead could set a frantic gallop, which just puts me off her. It could set up perfectly for The New Lion if he can keep his jumping together. He just gets my vote.

Neil Morrice (Hollywoodbets)

In a complicated puzzle for a seven-horse race, I’m siding with TUTTI QUANTI, who annihilated his rivals in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Newbury in the manner of a fast improver. His connections paid to supplement him into the race since when his odds have lengthened. I don’t quite see the logic in that, as my selection should be able to lead, and he won’t mind the ground even if it dries up a tad.

Siobhan Millins (TigerBet)

THE NEW LION looks the one to side with in the Champion Hurdle. He shaped like the best horse in the race in the Fighting Fifth and may well have beaten Golden Ace with something to spare, while his trial run appeared more about getting a clear round than showing his full ability. With plenty of pace likely from rivals such as Tutti Quanti, Workahead and Brighterdaysahead, the race should set up well for him to settle off the speed and finish strongly. If things fall his way, he has the class to take this prize.

Richard Hoiles (Betway)

THE NEW LION  can give away the 7 lb to the mares. He laid the infamous Challow bogey to rest when winning the Turners at last year’s Festival and won the International here last time when ridden for a turn of foot, in a race marred by the injury to another absentee today, Sir Gino. Dan Skelton has only ever had two big‑priced runners in the race before but is represented in all four feature races this week, and success here would virtually seal his first trainers’ title. Last season the head‑to‑head clashes with Willie Mullins all went Closutton’s way, but the tables can be turned.

Alan Dudman (Betfair)

The wick of the northern race scene is alight, as Sue Smith's two chances gives Yorkshire hope and me hope too, for a Festival winner.

We'll start with Konfusion for Smith and Joel Parkinson, who won the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle earlier this season by 15L from a mark of 126. After that, perhaps they thought they had something a bit better than a good handicapper.

He tested that theory and passed the grade with ease next time winning the Rowland Meyrick by another big margin at Wetherby. Okay he only beat three rivals in a home win, but UK graded races are never blessed with big fields, and he destroyed the two that finished rated 147 and 145.

Katie Midwinder (Betfair)

Unbeaten at Cheltenham with four wins to her name, including three Grade One victories at the Festival, Lossiemouth will have her first try at the Champion Hurdle in this year's renewal as connections confirmed the intention to run her in the race on Saturday night.

Equipped with first-time cheekpieces, which could help sharpen her up a bit over this trip, the seven-year-old will need to be at her best to reverse form with Brighterdaysahead from the Dublin Racing Festival, but if there's any venue she's likely to do that, it's at Prestbury Park. Tuesday's feature contest is an open race this year with the lack of a Constitution Hill or State Man in the line up, but it's fiercely competitive all the same with the likes of The New Lion and Poniros, both winners at the meeting last year, as well as reigning champion Golden Ace in contention.

Lossiemouth may just have too much in her locker for her rivals, however, and could prove classy enough to land the prestigious trophy