Cheltenham Festival day 1 tips: one key runner from each ITV race on Tuesday

ITV will broadcast five live races from the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. The action on day one features some high-class names, most notably Champion Hurdle favourite Constitution Hill, and we've got you covered for the day's terrestrial TV coverage.

Cheltenham Festival Tuesday: ITV Racing tips

Our Spotlight experts select their best bets for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival

1.30 Cheltenham
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, 2m, Grade 1

SPOTLIGHT TIP: FACILE VEGA

It's disconcerting that he flopped behind stablemate Il Etait Temps at Leopardstown last month, even allowing for likelihood that he set off too fast to do himself justice; he was unbeaten previously (on ground ranging from heavy through to good to yielding), however, including in last season's Champion Bumper here and when readily beating Il Etait Temps in the Grade 1 Future Champions at Leopardstown; strong claims if rediscovering his star potential.

Facile Vega13:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

2.10 Cheltenham
Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase, 2m, Grade 1

SPOTLIGHT TIP: EL FABIOLO

Having only his second run for Willie Mullins when beaten a neck by Jonbon in Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree last spring; has created a tremendous impression since with wide-margin wins in two novice chases, latterly forging 10l clear of a strong field in Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m1f, yielding; also successful on heavy) in February; still has room for improvement in his jumping but has top-class form and looks the one to beat with a clear round.

El Fabiolo14:10 Cheltenham

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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

2.50 Cheltenham
Ultima Handicap Chase, 3m1f, Grade 3

SPOTLIGHT TIP: FASTORSLOW

Chase winner in France; valiant runner-up in 2022 Coral Cup (2m5f, soft; first-time tongue-tie) and similar strong form at Punchestown after; highly tried in two Grade 1s back over fences (minus tongue-tie) but he showed plenty of aptitude behind Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown (2m4f, soft) before running over an inadequate 2m1f last month; every chance of staying this far and he has potential with tongue-tie refitted.

Fastorslow14:50 Cheltenham

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Jky: J J Slevin Tnr: Martin Brassil

3.30 Cheltenham
Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, 2m, Grade 1

SPOTLIGHT TIP: CONSTITUTION HILL

Established his superstar status in the Supreme on this card last year, pulverising his rivals in a fast time; similarly impressive in the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle this season, both times beating 2020 Champion Hurdle-winning stablemate Epatante; has won his five rules starts (all on ground softer than good) by an aggregate of 77l and is a rare talent who looks destined to be one of the all-time greats the way he's going; tactically versatile, jumps superbly, oozes class, possesses a sharp turn of foot and a great temperament, so has everything; brilliance in equine form.

Constitution Hill15:30 Cheltenham

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Jky: Nico de Boinville Tnr: Nicky Henderson

4.10 Cheltenham
Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, 2m4f, Grade 1

SPOTLIGHT TIP: MARIE'S ROCK

Big improver last spring, seeing off Queens Brook in this race (good to soft) before accounting for stablemate Epatante (and seven others) in another Grade 1 at Punchestown (2m3f, good); looked even better again when reappearing with a ready win in the Relkeel here (extended 2m4f, soft) on New Year's Day; this is a better renewal than last year but she still holds every chance of following up.

Marie's Rock16:10 Cheltenham

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Jky: Nico de Boinville Tnr: Nicky Henderson

ITV7 tips and predictions

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Race 1, 1.30 Cheltenham: FACILE VEGA
Race 2, 1.50 Sedgefield: CHASE A FORTUNE
Race 3, 2.10 Cheltenham: EL FABIOLO
Race 4, 2.30 Sedgefield: ROXYFET
Race 5, 2.50 Cheltenham: FASTORSLOW
Race 6, 3.30 Cheltenham: CONSTITUTION HILL
Race 7, 4.10 Cheltenham: MARIE'S ROCK

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