The Cheltenham Festival is upon us after all the waiting. A build up that began towards the latter end of last September will culminate in what will hopefully be four days of thrilling action, and something to take our minds of fiscal crisis, tax levies, belt tightening etc.

RTÉ Sport will be on hand to bring you the best of the coverage on television, radio and online. For more details, click here.  

Colm Murray reliably informed me that favourites do not have a good record in the opening event of the Festival – the Supreme Novices Hurdle (1.30). Some late scares are circulating about favourite Cousin Vinny’s well being in advance of the race.  If all is well with him come 1.30pm on Tuesday, he does have the speed to run his rivals ragged.

Torphichen is the one for me if the Irish hope fails to deliver. He won’t mind the rain with Andrew McNamara on board at 11/2. The heart still says Cousin Vinny, however.

In the Arkle Chase (2.05), the inclusion of Follow The Plan (16/1) is one that I’m attracted to. Trainer Oliver McKiernan has a small string and he sent this fellow to record a fine victory over Tatenen at Leopardstown over Christmas. Indeed, his daughter is a kids’ presenter on RTÉ Television.

Paul Nicholls charge is the favourite here, but don’t rule out the Forpadydeplasterer at 9/1.

The Smurfit Champion Hurdle (3.20) should be a classic, with much of the money (maybe too much) on Binocular. Celstial Halo also has his support, with Jered (33/1) – an engaging price to be the best of the Irish. 

In the Cross Country Chase (4.0o) Enda Bolger seeks his fourth victory in the marathon. L’Ami – once a Gold Cup contender – is the favourite, but preference here is for Garde Champetre to repeat the victory of last year at 3/1, with Paul Nolan’s Dix Villez (7/1) also likely to be in the skake-up.

In the Mares Hurdle (4.40pm) – the heart rules the head again with Willie Mullins’ Quevega my preference, but many dangers lie waiting. Among them is David Pipe’s Gaspara at 20/1.

Enjoy the opening day, and the possible element of surprise that may be in store.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 9th, 2009 at 9:07 pm and is filed under Irish Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.