CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY 1 TIPS

Willie Mullins is usually the first port of call for a race he has won eight times, but there is a change to the narrative this year with the trainer seemingly lacking a star novice hurdler for the two-mile division. Enter stage left Nicky Henderson, who has been the main supporting act to Mullins in the Supreme and looks set to unleash another potential superstar in a Grade 1; he has won with Constitution Hill, Shishkin and Altior in the last ten years. Irish trainers have just held sway during the period with six victories to Britain's four, with Gordon Elliott, perhaps surprisingly, looking to add to just a solitary success in the race.

We have had some fantastic Arkle races over the years, and last season's was no exception despite it having only five runners. Jango Baie came from the clouds to earn his victory by capitalising on a pace collapse with the second, third and fourth all trading at odds-on in running at various points. There are reasons to think we may be in for another belter. Willy Mullins has a power-packed team. Nicky Henderson is responsible for another burgeoning star, while a host of others have claims in anbsorbing Grade 1 that tends to produce at least one special talent.

First run in 2005, this is a fiercely competitive and often wide-open handicap hurdle for four-year-olds only. LAST YEAR’S WINNER Jazzy Matty scored at 18-1, becoming the third winner in the past six runnings for Gordon Elliott and the sixth in a row for Ireland (fifth was the best Britain could manage last year). He was the seventh French-bred to win in 19 runnings (a French-bred has finished first or second in all but one of the last ten). Irish trainers dominate the ante-post betting with Lark In The Mornin for Joseph O’Brien, Willie Mullins’ Batman Girac and Ethical Diamond, and the Gordon Elliott-trained Wodhooh, Ndaawi and Mighty Bandit. The last home winner was in 2017 but there are decent hopes of another with Jane Williams’ Excelero and the Olly Murphy-trained Roaring Legend.

This prestigious 3m1f handicap chase is one of the most important of its type in the jumps season and, as well as being a major prize in its own right, often draws runners who will head on to other big races in the spring, including the Grand National. Royal Tan, Team Spirit, West Tip, Seagram, Rough Quest and Corach Rambler make up the list of horses to have won both. Corach Rambler being the most recent with consecutive Ultima Handicap wins in 2022 and 2023 before also winning the 2023 Grand National.

This could be another fascinating run. Despite the likes of State Man, Sir Gino and Constitution Hill falling by the wayside this season, some of jump racing's most popular horses are set to lock horns. Potentially we have a lovely blend of youth versus experience, with last season's winner, Golden Ace, up against the young up-and-comer, the New Lion. The Irish add further spice to the mix with the mares Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth, plus the odd dark horse or two. It's a mouthwatering feature for day one.

Established in 1951 and traditionally known as the Mildmay of Flete, this is a highly competitive 2m4½f handicap chase that usually attracts a maximum field of 24. Last year's winner: Shakem Up’Arry scored at 8-1 for Ben Pauling, equalling the score at 5-5 for Britain and Ireland in the past decade. Form: Shakem Up’Arry was the sixth last-time-out winner to strike in the past nine runnings (one of the other winners had been second the time before). Weight and ratings: The previous trend of winners rated in the 130s has changed now that it is less common to get into the race with that sort of mark. Nine of the last 11 winners were in the 140-145 range and most carried less than 11st. Trainers: Gordon Elliott (with The Storyteller in 2018) is the only one of the current big five trainers to have taken the prize in the past 17 years.

This is the longest and oldest race at the festival, although five years ago the race distance was reduced to 3m6f and with two fewer fences to jump. There are more big changes this year with the removal of the race’s Grade 2 status and its downgrading to a 0-145 novice handicap. Historically known as 'The Amateur Riders Grand National' the traditional stipulation that only amateur jockeys can ride in the race has been removed for 2025, another big change to the race. Professional jockeys did compete in 2021 however, as COVID-19 restrictions meant amateur riders were excluded from the festival.