The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tips for day one of Cheltenham

BIG-RACE BANKER

Carefully Selected (5.30 Cheltenham)

You should normally take on a forecast 2-1 favourite for a big-field chase at the festival, but Carefully Selected will win the closing National Hunt Chase on day one of the festival if he stands up. The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old has everything in his locker to win – ability, pace, stamina and top connections – and would be even shorter in the market if his jumping was 100 per cent assured. He hasn't been the most fluent in three chase starts but has won well each time and was said to have schooled well since his latest win. Given he's still inexperienced in the sphere, it's fair to say he could show significant improvement over his fences. The former Champion Bumper runner-up has more speed than the rest of the field put together and he could make a few mistakes and still win this.

EYECATCHER

Sharjah (3.30 Cheltenham)

This year's Champion Hurdle is the weakest edition of the race for several years, but what we lack in quality we gain in quantity as 17 runners are set to go post. Firms will offer good each-way terms and I find it hard to see Sharjah not going close, so he looks a cracking bet at around 14-1. Another Willie Mullins-trained runner, Sharjah is the top-rated horse in the field (163) and could still be improving at the age of seven. Indeed, the second-best performance of his career came on his penultimate outing in December when he landed the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle, and although he struggled last time, plenty of Mullins's top guns didn't perform at the Dublin Racing Festival. Forgive him that and he has crystal clear claims.

EACH-WAY PLAY

No Comment (2.50 Cheltenham)

Philip Hobbs has his team in good form at the right time and his No Comment looks an interesting proposition off a light weight in the Ultima. This nine-year-old has proved extremely frustrating since his novice hurdling days in 2016 (last win came in Jan 2017) but is best suited to a race with a guaranteed fast pace at a left-handed venue, so he has conditions in his favour today. No Comment is never missed in the market but he has finished seventh, sixth and fifth at the last three festivals (all in different races) and is undoubtedly well handicapped off a mark of 137. Hopefully he will settle early and jump well. If he does, he is a huge threat.

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