THE first day of The Cheltenham Festival could see several favourites winning here with Appreciate It, Shishkin, Happygolucky, Honeysuckle, Concertista and Galvin all strongly fancied. In the Arkle Trophy surely Shishkin at 1/2 with Unibet can follow up on his Supreme success last year for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, as this seven-year-old has looked brilliant over fences this season. All the indications are that he has been really impressing in his homework too.

The Unibet Champion Hurdle is the race of The Festival for me with favourite Honeysuckle (see below), last year’s winner Epatante for Nicky Henderson and Goshen, who came right back to form at Wincanton last month, all in the field, with a strong cast of other serious contenders too.

Remember Unibet are non runner no bet (NRNB) for all the races at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

Let’s look forward to four days of top racing and enjoying all the excellent coverage from ITV Racing and Racing TV. 

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1.20 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m ½f

Blue Lord (each way) runs here for the Willie Mullins team, rather than heading for a handicap at The Festival. At the Dublin Racing Festival Blue Lord finished six lengths third behind stablemate and favourite here Appreciate It, however he was given plenty to do that day, running on well from the last. We know Blue Lord will stay, as he ran over two miles four furlongs when second to Bob Olinger at Naas in January.

For Pleasure will make this a true test of stamina, which will really suit Blue Lord, who can get right in the mix here. 

Unibet 10/1 each way NRNB 

2.30 Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m 1f

Happygolucky has season form figures of 121 and can make it three wins this season for the Kim Bailey team in not the strongest renewal. He was last seen winning in good style here in December when beating The Mighty Don (runs in the National Hunt) and The Festival has always been the plan since then. Happygolucky looks a grade ahead of many of the field and finished a good fourth in the Martin Pipe last year. Unibet are paying AN EXTRA PLACE on this race. T&Cs apply.

Unibet 3/1 win NRNB

3.05 Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) 2m½f 

The remarkable mare Honeysuckle (nap) can retain her unbeaten record and make it eleven wins from eleven starts. She was tipped up in my Dublin Racing Festival Unibet blog and she was visually so impressive on that occasion, beating Abacadabras by ten lengths, with Sharjah another nine lengths back in third. Honeysuckle delivered the standout performance of this year’s field on that day, with a brilliant tactical ride by Rachael Blackmore. We know the trip is no problem and she is ground versatile too. Last year under another fine ride by Rachael Blackmore, Honeysuckle won the Mares’ Hurdle and with her 7lbs allowance she will strike again at The Festival.

Unibet 5/2 win NRNB

3.40 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Concertista can follow on her easy Festival success last year in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle, when tipped up in my Unibet blog. She faces strong opposition here with the top class Roksana, who won this contest in 2019, yet Concertista has shown herself to be in excellent form on her two starts this season winning at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown.

Concertista’s wins have all been on soft, yet she looks sure to handle good to soft and this trip is ideal.

Unibet 11/10 win NRNB

4.15 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m ½f

Homme Public for the Oliver Greenall team looks overpriced here in this competitive contest, as he was beaten a neck by Houx Gris (currently 5/1) at Auteuil last October and is almost four times the price.

Homme Public has had two starts since joining Oliver Greenall and won last time out at Market Rasen, when beating the likeable Gibertina by six lengths after jumping really well. That was an impressive performance and Homme Public looks really capable of stepping up from that performance. Unibet are paying AN EXTRA PLACE on this race. T&Cs apply.

Unibet 18/1 each way NRNB 

The talented Youmdor is worth an each way wager as on his penultimate start at Fairyhouse he was beating Teahupoo (in Triumph Hurdle) when falling at the last. He disappointed on his next start when fourth to Quilixios (in Triumph Hurdle), yet Willie Mullins felt that race was too soon after his fall. 

If you forgive him that run, Youmdor definitely has speed, as he won over both a mile and one mile two furlongs in France, which is a plus in this race and ground will suit. Unibet are paying AN EXTRA PLACE on this race. T&Cs apply.

Unibet 16/1 each way NRNB

4.50 Sam Vestey National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 3m 6f

Snow Leopardess has form figures of 3212 this season and this very genuine mare will certainly appreciate this stamina test. She is a good jumper and won well at Haydock in November, ahead of an improved performance when showing plenty of determination to finish second in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby to Canelo on her last start. Snow Leopardess can step up again and will handle ground conditions.

Unibet 16/1 each way NRNB

15 To Go – £20 Free Bet Offer When You Back A Winner

We're running our 15 To Go winner on ALL RACES AT CHELTENHAM next week, giving you the chance to net your stake as a free bet up to £20 when backing a winner. For more details and T&Cs, click here.