Cheltenham Day One: State Man to take advantage of Constitution Hill's absence
Day one of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and while the Grade One Unibet Champion Hurdle is much the lesser for the absence of Constitution Hill, that won’t be of much concern to State Man, who ought to have little more than a stroll in the park.
One of the most consistent hurdlers of recent seasons, his sole defeat in completed starts since joining Willie Mullins came when runner-up to Constitution Hill in this race last year and even if he was a little below his best that day, a repeat should be more than enough this time. He jumps, travels, stays and can race on or off the pace, and it will be a huge shock if he fails to take full advantage of Constitution Hill’s absence. Irish Point is something of an unknown quantity and may be good enough to chase him home.
The nap on a difficult opening day goes to Corbetts Cross in the finale, the Garde One Maureen Mullins National Hunt Chase. His stamina is not certain to hold up over the three miles and six furlongs, but he stays three miles well and has an abundance of class which, if his stamina holds up, should ensure he comes home in front. Embassy Gardens has looked good on his two outings to date over fences and is respected, though this race demands another step forward.
Kim Bailey has just two runners this week and both run in the Ultima Handicap Chase. Chianti Classico would appear to be the stable selected but marginal preference is for his other runner, Trelawne.
Cheltenham Festival
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Much has been made of his antics at Wetherby, where he hung to his right and did much wrong, but there must have been something amiss on the day as he has winning form at Uttoxeter and Ffos Las and has run well at this venue. He has been crying out for the step up to three miles over fences and this neat jumper and strong stayer has leading claims in one of the year’s toughest handicaps.
Even though she is trying the trip for the first time, it is difficult to oppose Lossiemouth in the Grade One Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle. She can be a bit keen, which is the greatest concern trying two and a half miles, but the way she won here last time out suggests she will have no trouble with it. She oozes class and, having won the Triumph Hurdle in 2023, the Festival preliminaries are no issue. She could develop into a Champion Hurdle contender for next year but, for now, the Mares’ Hurdle should really be hers for the taking.
Henry de Bromhead runs three and all three have place claims. In the conditions, Hispanic Moon can prove the best of the trio.
The Grade One My Pension Expert Arkle Chase might be the greatest sign of how racing has changed so much in recent times, and how the power stables have brought it to a whole new level. Since 2012, Messrs Mullins and Henderson have dominated the race, taking nine of the last 12 runnings. Prior to 2012, there had been just one winning favourite between that victory for Sprinter Sacre and that of Remittance Man in 1991. This race, however, is refreshingly open looking, even if that suggests it may lack some star quality.
It’s arguable that there are more reasons to oppose most of the runners than to back them, and that hardly makes it a betting race. Hunters Yarn was never the most convincing of hurdlers and probably hasn’t had the opportunity to conclusively prove that he is a much better chaser than he was a hurdler, but that is certainly the early indication. This is much tougher than either of his two races to date over fences, but this race should be run to suit, and he has the ability to run into the frame, at least.
Gaelic Warrior looked special on his first two starts over fences but dirtied his bib last time and has questions to answer now. Also of concern is his Cheltenham record, which amounts to two runner-up finishes from two visits. That might not read too badly, but last year he was put in his place by Impaire Et Passe and 12 months earlier he was touched off in the Boodles in which he was in receipt of 8lbs from the winner, Brazil, and was running off a mark of just 129.
Former Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios won well enough last time and could run into the frame in what looks like a difficult race for punters.
JP McManus has two likely types in the Boodles Handicap Hurdle and Milan Tino is marginally preferred to Nara. The former has dropped to a mark of 126, which looks generous given the promise of his previous runs, including when third behind Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Gino. He jumps well, stays well, and has enough improvement in him to make light of his current mark. Nara, whose sole win to date came in France, has run with promise on both outings to date in Ireland and could be well treated off her mark of 123.
Cheltenham day one selections:
1:30 Jeriko Du Reponet (nb) (Firefox)
2:10 Hunters Yarn (Quilixios)
2:50 Trelawne (Chianti Classico)
3:30 State Man (Irish Point)
4:10 Lossiemouth (Hispanic Moon)
4:50 Milan Tino (Nara)
5:30 Corbetts Cross (nap) (Embassy Gardens)
