We’ve rounded up some of the top picks from our racing experts, to provide a handy acca for Cheltenham day 1.
Our racing experts have provided their Cheltenham betting tips that you could use in an acca for Cheltenham day one. And remember, new customers can get up to £/€40 in free bets when you stake £/€10 with Betway.
Cheltenham day one acca tips
The Arkle looks to be an Anglo‑Irish clash between LULAMBA 6/4 (14:00 Cheltenham) for the home team, up against Irish pair Kopek Des Bordes and Kargese, both of whom won at last year’s Festival. Kopek Des Bordes won the Supreme and at that stage looked a real potential star, but suffered defeat afterwards at Punchestown and comes here off the back of just one run over fences in November. Connections opted to miss the Dublin Racing Festival due to the deep ground, and the connections of Kargese may wish they had done the same, as she seemed to have a very gruelling race when narrowly beaten by Romeo Coolio (who goes for the Brown Advisory). They walked home that day, and how she fares could be an early indicator as to whether those who ran at Leopardstown may find that races there have left a mark. Lulamba has the five‑year‑old stat (0–12 since the allowances were changed) to overcome, but has followed a well‑trodden path for Henderson horses, including a run outside novice company when winning the Game Spirit at Newbury. By his trainer’s own admission he is likely to prove more of a Ryanair/King George horse down the line, so the first four fences will be crucial, but his strength in the finish up the hill can prove decisive.
Richard Hoiles
Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle (14:40)
The first handicap of the week is the repositioned Fred Winter, where only 10 lb cover the 22 runners, and one of the leading fancies, Munsif, finds himself as first reserve, so he will need something to come out before 13:00 on Friday to get a run. This is a bit of a minefield, but it could be the first of a couple of birthday wins for the Green and Gold courtesy of MANLAGA 13/2 (14:40 Cheltenham). He first caught my attention when he appeared at the Newbury gallops morning in November, accompanying some higher‑profile stablemates, including Constitution Hill. A winner in France, he made his ground quite quickly when beating the re‑opposing Pourquoi Pas Papa at Haydock, with The Mighty Celt in third, and he can confirm the form here.
Richard Hoiles
The McManus silks can also be to the fore in the first handicap chase of the week, the Ultima. The surprising decision to bypass Kelso with Grand National favourite Iroko and run here instead sets a bit of a poser. Up until that point, JAGWAR 7/2 (15:20 Cheltenham) had been a solid favourite, so why is a backup deemed necessary? It may well be that connections simply want two strings to their bow as part of the birthday battalions, and Jagwar still has plenty going for him. Rapidly progressive last season and winner of the Plate at the Festival, it was felt earlier in the campaign that he could be running in Graded races by now. Instead, he has twice placed in handicaps: the first time undone by a steady pace, and latterly, somewhat surprisingly, not getting past Donnacha despite travelling strongly. He steps up in trip for the first time (a top‑four finish would qualify him for the Grand National, for which he holds an entry) and that can bring further improvement. Traditionally this is a race for the home team, but the Irish‑trained The Short Go deserves a mention, having finished fifth last year despite a bad error halfway. Repeat performers tend to do well in this.
Richard Hoiles
There is no doubting that GOLDEN ACE (top-3 finish) 15/8 was fortunate to win last year’s Champion Hurdle with both Constitution Hill and State Man coming down in the race but she has proven that she is capable of smart form, chasing home both State Man and Sir Gino in the interim.
She looks overpriced in what looks like a weak renewal of the Champion Hurdle and this should be run at a strong gallop, which will bring her stamina into play. It is hard to see her finishing outside of the first three.
Clive Gildon
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