Racing

Cheltenham Win 6 Preview | 11th March

By Steven Dowler

It’s the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and I have a Win 6 preview. Feel free to join my syndicate as well!

13.20 – Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle should see KOPEK DES BORDES prove hard to beat. He produced an exceptional performance when scoring at the Dublin Racing Festival and has the potential to really stamp his class on this field. The form of WORKAHEAD’s latest win has worked out well, so he’s also included, along with British raider TRIPOLI FLYER as cover.

Tips: KOPEK DES BORDES, WORKAHEAD & TRIPOLI FLYER

14.00 – My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase

Last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner MAJBOROUGH can make it three wins from three starts over fences. He still has room for improvement in the jumping department and his engine is there for all to see. Granted a clear round, it’s hard to see past him. That being said, ONLY BY NIGHT is unbeaten over fences as well and should things go wrong for the favourite, she might be able to pick up the pieces.

Tips: MAJBOROUGH & ONLY BY NIGHT

14.40 – Ultima Handicap Chase

A typically competitive renewal of the Ultima Handicap Chase. KATATE DORI has been on a roll this season over fences and could still be well handicapped after battering his rivals at Kempton last time out. SEARCH FOR GLORY has some smart graded form to his name over fences, including when narrowly denied by Stellar Story, as well as a third-place finish in a Grade 1 event. He could easily outrun his odds, while HENRY’S FRIEND is a popular choice for the home team. MALINA GIRL returned to form last time out when runner-up and has a good record here. She could be in the mix, along with the unexposed MYRETOWN.

Tips: SEARCH FOR GLORY, HENRY’S FRIEND, MALINA GIRL, THE CHANGING MAN, KATATE DORI & MYRETOWN

15.20 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle

Willie Mullins looks as though he holds the key to the Mares’ Hurdle. JADE DE GRUGY has won all but one of her starts and all of her wins have been when completely over further than two miles. This is a relatively quick turnaround from her win last month, but she’s tough, and should give LOSSIEMOUTH the most to think about. If she is over her tumble last time out, she should take a lot of beating.

Tips: JADE DE GRUGY & LOSSIEMOUTH

16.00 – Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

In the feature race, the Champion Hurdle, I am banking on CONSTITUTION HILL to get the better of Brighterdaysahead and reclaim his title. He has conquered everything out in front of him under rules and has looked as good as ever in his two wins this season. He’s unbeaten at Cheltenham and I think he will have too much turbo for Gordon Elliott’s mare, who I thought was disappointing at this meeting last season and is flattered by her latest couple of wins.

Tips: CONSTITUTION HILL

16.40pm – Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Plenty to consider in this race, but STENCIL ran well behind East India Dock and is a popular choice. The Mcmanus pair PUTURHANDSTOGETHER and BEYOND YOUR DREAMS have nice profiles for the race and could get involved, while SLURRICANE and LUKER’S TIPPLE are outsiders worthy of a second look.

Tips: STENCIL, PUTURHANDSTOGETHER, SLURRICANE, LUKER’S TIPPLE & BEYOND YOUR DREAMS