2022 Cheltenham Festival: Tom Segal thinks Kilcruit 'could run a big race'

The Racing Post's top tipster Tom Segal believes the first two races of the Cheltenham Festival could produce surprise results and thinks Kilcruit could run a 'big race' in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Sir Gerhard heads the betting for the festival curtain-raiser at a general 2-1 ahead of the Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill at 9-4, while stablemate Dysart Dynamo is a general 5-2 and fellow Henderson runner Jonbon as short as 7-2 in a watertight market.

However, speaking on the Racing Post's Cheltenham Festival preview show on Sunday evening, Segal – the Racing Post's Pricewise guru – thinks Kilcruit can beat his Willie Mullins-trained counterparts and the Henderson battalion, especially with either Sir Gerhard or Dysart Dynamo likely to be rerouted to the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

"This market will be totally different come the day as one or two won't be there, but I think Kilcruit could run a big race," he said.

Watch the Racing Post's Cheltenham Festival preview here

"It's shades of Champagne Fever. I was thinking the other day if Nicky Henderson wants one of Willie's to run it'll be Dysart Dynamo as his pair can then get a lead. I'd be praying Willie runs him."

However, Segal believes Mullins should target the Supreme with Sir Gerhard, who could bid to be the first horse to complete the Champion Bumper and Supreme double since Champagne Fever did so in 2012 and 2013.

He added: "I'm a big Sir Gerhard fan but I don't know where he's going to run. If he was running here I'd be very keen on him winning the race. He's Flat-bred being by Jeremy out of an Authorized mare and everything points towards him.

1.30 Cheltenham: Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle card and betting

"He's won two Grade 1s over two miles and if they're going to go up in trip good luck to them, but the Supreme is where I'd run him."

Segal also fancies Magic Daze to outrun her 12-1 odds and put up a stern challenge to Edwardstone in the Arkle Challenge Trophy, having finished second in the mares' novice hurdle at the meeting last year.

He added: "I think Edwardstone has been outstanding and really impressive in his jumping and finishing his races. People say he wasn't a good hurdler, but he was a pretty good one. If it's not a great race as everyone seems to think it is, then he's got a massive chance.

Magic Daze: an Arkle dark horse?Credit: David Keane

"I will throw a word out there for Magic Daze, who pulled like a Mustang when second in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle last year. She was electric at Cork two starts ago and didn't jump well the next time, but she's been kept back for this race. I think she'll go well, she's the danger to Edwardstone."

Segal was also joined by fellow esteemed Racing Post tipster Paul Kealy and deputy Ireland editor David Jennings, who revealed Magic Daze has been a "buzz horse" on the preview circuit, as well as Katie Walsh on the Cheltenham preview show, which you can view here.

Read more on the Cheltenham Festival:

2022 Cheltenham Festival: what chance of a repeat win for last year's scorers?

Soft ground at Cheltenham with forecast weekend rain key to going on day one

'We keep plunging on the wrong ones' – the odds-on disasters at Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Ultimate Guide is everything the smart punter needs for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. With big-race previews, tips, trends and much, much more, the Cheltenham Ultimate Guide has it all. Order now.