THE time is upon us and we are looking forward to four days of fantastic racing at the home of jump racing. Today’s feature the Unibet Champion Hurdle has the biggest field for some time and whilst I’m about the favourite here, there are numerous each-way opportunities with the likes of Darver Star and Silver Streak.

The handicaps look particularly tricky as ever and in the 4.50 it would be great to see my selection Champagne Mystery chased hope by Champagne Court. What a forecast!

I was on course Sunday and Monday and there are fantastic experiences to discover in The Orchard. including the Fine Wine Partners experience, featuring fabulous Australian wines from famous internationally renowned producers like Grant Burge, Petaluma, St Hallett and the wines of Eileen Hardy. There is an opportunity to buy wines by the glass or try a tasting flight called Fine Wines of Distinction.

See you at Cheltenham!

The Wine Tipster

1.30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2m Grade 1

Willie Mullins’ 6-year-old Asterion Forlonge won comfortably ahead of a classy field in the Grade 1 Pharma Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Festival with a galloping display that saw him come right away in the closing stages. He’ll want further in time, but this test looks sure to suit at present, and gives every impression that there is so much more improvement to come.  

Unibet 5/2 win

2.10 Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f

They are sure to go off at a cracking pace here and providing Global Citizen can keep the fractions in check he can run a big race at an each-way price.

Many think he isn’t so effective at Cheltenham because of his 2019 Champion Hurdle performance, however I don’t agree as he will like the ground and will surely come on from his success at Kempton for the Ben Pauling yard when making all to beat another rival Rouge Vif. He is only rated two points below Notebook and is right in the mix.

Unibet 18/1 each way

2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase 3m 1f

Big River won last time out at Kelso in January in good style for the inform Lucinda Russell team and whilst this ten-year-old does often let himself down with his jumping he has plenty of ability. Last year he was well out of touch and not even mentioned in commentary as they approached the home turn when coming with a storming run to finish fourth. He will love the ground and if he can stay handy, he will not finish out of the first four off one pound higher than 2019. 

Unibet 16/1 each way

3.30 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) 2m

Epatante can make her mares’ allowance of seven pounds pay here in combination with the fact that she has delivered the most visually impressive performance when winning the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, when easily beating Silver Streak and Ballyandy. Simply watching the performances of her rivals don’t measure up here and whilst last year she failed to fire this time she will stay on and deliver for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson.

Unibet 5/2 win

 
4.10 Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 3f 

Benie Des Dieux for the Willie Mullins yard was also entered for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, with her trainer deciding on giving her the opportunity to make up for last year’s final flight fall when she would have won. In 2018 she won this contest and has shown herself to be complete class, with the ground and trip giving her the advantage over main rival Honeysuckle. 

Unibet 4/7 win

4.50 Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase 2½m

Champagne Mystery for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson has strong each way claims in an ultra-competitive contest if he repeats his superb jumping display on his chasing debut at Aintree. He then did nothing wrong when second (giving 5lb) to the useful Dashel Drasher at Haydock the time after ahead of his latest run, which should be ignored when not suited by Fakenham.

Unibet 18/1 each-way

5.30 National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase 3m 5f

Forza Milan (nap) was originally tipped up in my Unibet long shots and whilst the big prices have disappeared, he is the pick of the race, with the soft ground ideal for him. 

Second in two chases to potential Grade 1-ers Castlebawn West and Carefully Selected (today’s favourite), which saw this eight-year-old beaten four lengths at 25/1 really catching the eye. He went straight in the notebook at the time as he stayed on well over three miles at Naas.   Mr Derek O’ Connor is an important booking.

Unibet 10/1 each way