The first day of the Cheltenham Festival is one of the most anticipated in the racing calendar. The showpiece on the opening day is the Champion Hurdle, which for the first time in a few years doesn't have a star name.

It does though have plenty of very good sorts like Yanworth, Buveur D'Air, Brain Power plus many more. There is no tip from us for the race as we are happy to watch and enjoy what looks a cracking contest.

Just before I dive in, Jon has informed me that there will be a football acca coming at lunch time as per usual. 

On to our first tip on Day 1, which looks to be possibly the most competitive of the four days. Our first selection is in the 2.50pm, the Ultima Handicap Chase. Possibly one of the toughest races of the day but we are confident that we have a solid selection in THE DRUIDS NEPHEW. A winner of this race back in 2015 off the same mark of 146 he looks to have been aimed at a repeat victory by his trainer Neil Mullholland for some time. There are plenty of maybe horses in opposition who could spring to life but we know that THE DRUIDS NEPHEW has been there, done it and will once again be in the shake up. His trainer reports that he is possibly "better than ever" which bodes well and again off a mark of 146 he, for us, looks the one to beat.

Our next tip is in the 4.50, the National Hunt Chase over a stamina sapping 4 miles. In this we like CHAMPERS ON ICE who looks ready made for this sort of test. He has always been highly thought of and produced a good effort when 3rd in last years Albert Bartlett. Although his Chasing career hasn't been anything out of the ordinary CHAMPERS ON ICE should come in to his own now stepped up to this marathon distance. He ran a solid race at Wetherby in January when a good staying on 2nd and it was how strong he was at the finish that day which earmarked him for this race. All of these Novice Chasers have never raced over this far before so it is a step in to the unknown for the whole field but we are confident our selection, CHAMPERS ON ICE, is the one ready made for this test. 

Selections: 

2.50 - THE DRUIDS NEPHEW 10/1

4.50 - CHAMPERS ON ICE 7/1

For our daily Acca we take in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, the Arkle and the Mares Hurdle. The selections are:

1.30pm - Melon 5/2

2.10pm - Altior 1/4

4.10pm - Limini 6/4

Hopefully between today's bets we can get off to a flyer for the week ahead.