PADDY POWER'S CHELTENHAM CHEAT SHEET: Experts make their selections

PADDY POWER’S CHELTENHAM CHEAT SHEET: Why Ruby Walsh’s outside bet is Fanion Destruval in the Festival Handicap Chase – while Mick Fitzgerald reveals his NAP of the day ahead of day one of the Festival

  • Paddy Power are releasing a Cheltenham cheat sheet ahead of every day 
  • Ruby Walsh, Mick Fitzgerald and Jane Mangan reveal their day one selections
  • Fitzgerald reveals his NAP of the day for this year’s opening day at Cheltenham 

It’s finally here!

That sense of elation you feared was lost for good when you got a bit too old to get excited about Christmas is pulsing through the veins of all racing lovers as the Cheltenham Festival is ready to roar.

As you might expect, we have gone Cheltenham crazy at Paddy Power and who better to guide you through the opening day than our very own in-house legend, Ruby Walsh.

No jockey has won more races at Cheltenham than Ruby and he has not pulled any punches with his picks for the opening day of this year’s Festival. Ruby has told Paddy Power News he’s on Facile Vega in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at 2/1 and he fancies an each way punt on Willie Mullins hope Saint Roi in the Arkle at 8/1.

His big outsider to watch on Tuesday is 25/1 shot Fanion Destruval in the Festival Handicap Chase at 14:50and he can’t see beyond the mighty Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle.

Cheltenham racecourse is readying itself for another four days of brilliant Festival racing

Mick Fitzgerald has made his day 1 selections as the Cheltenham Festival draws ever nearer

Ruby Walsh has revealed he likes the look of outside chance Fanion Destruval at 25/1 

Honeysuckle is the star attraction in the Mares Hurdle at 16:10, but Ruby likes the look of Brady Love (5/1) and Shewearsitwell (16/1).

Finally he is picking the 10/3 favourite Teako in the Juvenile Hurdle and Evens frontrunner Gaillard Du Mesnil in the final race of the day.

Now it would be remiss of me not to mention the Prestbury Cup in this opening column of the week.

Ireland-trained horses have made a habit of battering their British rivals at Cheltenham in recent years and I’m ready to cheer on more of the same this week.

Sorry if I’m sounding a little biased here, but let’s call this as it is!

Irish-trained horses – such as those under the guidance of Willie Mullins – have dominated their British counterparts in years gone by 

Things could be tight on this opening day and we are offering 11/8 on Ireland leading their old friends and foes 4-3 as dusk falls and foggy heads try to work out where they are this evening.

Ireland leading 5-2 at the end of today is a 5/2 shot, with a narrow 4-3 lead for the British horses on offer at 2/1.

You can have 10/1 on six or more Irish trained winners at Cheltenham today and if that happens, the Guinness village may just run dry of the black stuff.

Of course, the joy of Cheltenham is we are all experts for the week and there are plenty of goodies on offer for Paddy Power customers over the next few days.

So make sure you check out Paddy Power News each day of the Festival for all the latest tips and tempters as we settle in for the best week of the year.

Day 1 tips – Mick Fitzgerald 

• 13:30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2m

Willie Mullins has a strong hand in this contest and IL ETAIT TEMPS could be the answer. They are going to go fast in this race and that will help him relax. He could be the answer in a tricky opening contest.

• 14:10 Arkle Challenge Trophy, 2m

I’m not deserting Jonbon and there is going to be a helter-skelter pace set with Dysart Dynamo and Effernock Fizz in the line-up. With that guaranteed pace, I expect JONBON (NAP) to sit just behind the leaders and pick them off late.

Jonbon (pictured) is Mick Fitzgerald’s NAP of the day for this year’s opening round of races

• 14:50 Handicap Steeple Chase, 3m1f

FANION DESTRUVAL ran in the last two Ryanair Chases and ran a very good race in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby. The step-up in trip will help and I can see him finishing late to hit the places at least at a nice each-way price.

• 15:30 Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, 2m

I am really looking forward to seeing CONSTITUTION HILL strut his stuff. He has blown people away and I’m hoping we get more of the same on Tuesday. State Man is the obvious danger and Vauban could be the one to chase them home in third.

1. Constitution Hill

2. State Man

3. Vauban

Constitution Hill is one of the star attractions of this year’s Festival and will be heavily backed on Tuesday

• 16:10 Mares’ Hurdle, 2m 4f

MARIE’S ROCK won this race last year and is in great form at Nicky Henderson’s yard in the build-up. She can beat the former Champion Hurdle winners Honeysuckle and Epatante with the latter chosen to chase her home.

• 16:50 Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, 2m

Gary Moore’s runner has let himself down with his jumping but if he improves that in this contest, I can see PERSEUS WAY being involved at the finish. He is talented and would have won last time at Kempton if he jumped either of the last two hurdles well. Good value as an each-way pick.

• 17:30 National Hunt Chase, 3m 6f

GAILLARD DU MESNIL has been placed at the Festival last year behind L’Homme Press and Ahoy Senor and was previously second in the Ballymore Hurdle two years ago. His form is strong and he’s just better than the opposition.

Ruby Walsh 

• 13:30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2m

I’m with FACILE VEGA and, despite his bad run at the Dublin Racing Festival, I can’t turn my back on him after one bad run.

Facile Vega is the favourite for the first race of the festival and is being backed by Ruby Walsh

• 14:10 Arkle Challenge Trophy, 2m

The three market leaders meet again and the tactics will be fascinating. I like SAINT ROI (each-way) to hit the places.

• 14:50 Handicap Steeple Chase, 3m1f

A tricky looking competitive where I’ve no strong opinion but FANION DESTRUVAL can go well for trainer Venetia Williams.

Fanion Destruval – at odds of a tick above 20s – could prove smart money in the 14:50

• 15:30 Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, 2m

Constitution Hill and State Man set the standard and with just seven runners there’s no each-way option outside these two.

1. Constitution Hill

2. State Man

3. I Like To Move It

• 16:10 Mares’ Hurdle, 2m 4f

BRANDY LOVE is going to improve a hell of a lot from her first run of the season at Punchestown a few weeks ago and can go well and I also like Shewearsitwell at a big price each-way.

• 16:50 Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, 2m

TEKAO has a great chance given the level of form he’s shown this season and his third place behind Gala Marceau and Lossiemouth is solid form.

• 17:30 National Hunt Chase, 3m 6f

GAILLARD DU MESNIL should give Willie and Patrick Mullins their third National Hunt Chase victory in the finale on day one.

Jane Mangan 

• 13:30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2m

We know FACILE VEGA is a monster and we know he went too fast early at the Dublin Racing Festival. Expect a change in tactics. If he relaxes. He wins. Inthepocket looks solid each-way.

Inthepocket ridden by Rachael Blackmore is a solid each-way for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

• 14:10 Arkle Challenge Trophy, 2m

I’m siding with JONBON based on his accurate jumping and he’s probably more suited by the track. I’m hopeful he can follow in his brother Douvan’s footsteps by winning the Arkle.

• 14:50 Handicap Steeple Chase, 3m1f

FASTORSLOW has been campaigned in Grade 1 company this season and this handicap isn’t nearly as hot. He steps up in trip and has a big chance.

• 15:30 Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, 2m

Not since Bula in 1971 has a horse completed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle / Champion Hurdle double in consecutive years. There haven’t been many that reached a rating of 173 after just five runs. So just enjoy Constitution Hill.

1. Constitution Hill

2. State Man

3. I Like To Move It.

Constitution should merely be enjoyed as a spectacle as the gelding goes in search of history

• 16:10 Mares’ Hurdle, 2m 4f

Can I really abandon Honeysuckle in her final race? Unfortunately, yes. A champion in her own right, I think EPATANTE can prevail in an ultra-strong Mares’ Hurdle.

• 16:50 Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, 2m

Mark Walsh has abandoned Risk Belle in favour of TEKAO who was third to Gala Marceau and Lossiemouth in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time. A reproduction of that form will see him go very close to winning this. Sir Allen is an each-way play.

• 17:30 National Hunt Chase, 3m 6f

I fancy GAILLARD DU MESNIL and Patrick Mullins to put in a similar display to Stattler’s comfortable win last year. Barring accident, he’s the banker of the day.

Paddy Power 

• 13:30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2m

I’m not forgiving Facile Vega for his Leopardstown run so I’m taking him on. I like DOCTOR BRAVO, who has solid form including impressive wins at Fairyhouse and Down Royal in December and January. Chasing Fire for Olly Murphy is also an option as he’s got plenty of improvement in him.

• 14:10 Arkle Challenge Trophy, 2m

I’m with Dysart Dynamo in an each-way bet. People may think this is a two-horse race between El Fabiolo and Jonbon but DYSART DYNAMO could be hard to peg back if he gets a lead. This race could be set up for him.

• 14:50 Handicap Steeple Chase, 3m1f

If the ground is good, I like TEA CLIPPER for Tom Lacey. He’s got solid form and he’s coming in fresh having not run since November at Newbury.

Tea Clipper for Tom Lacey has a real shot if the ground is good – he is on solid form and is coming in fresh

• 15:30 Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, 2m

Constitution Hill is obviously the most likely winner but I’m keen on I Like To Move It in the Betting Without Constitution Hill and State Man market. I was taken by his win in the Kingwell at Wincanton last time.

1. Constitution Hill

2. State Man

3. I Like to Move It

• 16:10 Mares’ Hurdle, 2m 4f

MARIE’S ROCK has won her last four races and looks the one to beat as Honeysuckle is in decline, even though it would blow the roof off the place if Rachael Blackmore won on her. Echoes In Rain could also be an each-way shout.

Marie’s Rock has won her last four races and looks like the one to beat with Honeysuckle in decline

• 16:50 Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, 2m

I like MORNING SOLDIER as long as it’s decent ground. He’s got solid form and he could be buried in the field to strike late. Zanndabad also stands out for Tony Martin who could be really well in with a rating of 119.

• 17:30 National Hunt Chase, 3m 6f

I don’t like tipping favourites but it’s hard to get away from GAILLARD DU MESNIL for Willie Mullins with his son, Patrick, on board. The trip won’t be an issue for him and he’s won at Grade 1 level this season.

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