Cheltenham Festival 2023 LIVE: Templegate's Tips, racecards, free bets, odds and latest declarations
THE big one is finally here - after 51 weeks of waiting Cheltenham Festival is back!
And what a four days of action it promises to be, with the likes of Constitution Hill, Galopin Des Champs and Facile Vega all in action.
Not to mention the 250,000 punters who will pour into Prestbury Park to watch the best equine talent on the planet strut their stuff.
Here, Sun Racing will bring you all you need to know as it happens - and check out our top free bets while you're here too.
And the rest....
And if you want the rest of Templegate's selections for EVERY day one race, just click here.
Dinnertime Nap
Doesn't that sound good!
But the Nap we're talking about is our man Templegate's main bet of day one!
And you don't have to wait long - the main bet comes in the first!
Willie Mullins' apparent second-fiddle in the race IL ETAIT TEMPS can prove his Dublin Racing Festival victory was no fluke. He saw off a dismal Facile Vega in style that day and travelled really, really well throughout. He'll get another strong pace to aim at and some cut in the ground will be perfect.
Templegate, The Sun
Going big!
Adebayo Akinfenwa has teamed up with Bet UK ahead of Cheltenham.
So it's fitting the firm have put out a BEAST of an offer.
New Bet UK customers can claim a remarkable £60 in free bets just for signing up and staking £20!
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Opening day finale
No, we're not wishing away the opening day...
But we thought we'd let you know of one of Willie Mullins' runners tomorrow that he believes is hard to oppose.
And when he talks, you listen.
Gaillard Du Mesnil is around the Evens mark at the minute, with Mullins revealing to Sporting Life the key attribute that will suit his runner in the National Hunt Chase.
He said: "He's probably one of Patrick's best rides of the whole week and will come in here as the favourite.
"He's a second-season novice which I think might be a huge advantage in a race like this where experience is key.
"He's in form and everything will suit him including the ground - he ticks all the boxes so with a clear round would be hard to oppose."
Worth a go?
Yes, Constitution Hill is more than likely going to win the Champion Hurdle tomorrow.
But at 1/3 in most places, we can't have a go at those sort of odds!
For every race tomorrow, we have a 'Fiver Flutter' selection - one pick that we would back with a couple of quid each-way.
And in the Champion Bumper? Here's our thoughts....
3.30 Cheltenham - I LIKE TO MOVE IT - currently 18/1 at Sky Bet.
Was brilliant at Wincanton last time and loved Cheltenham when winning the Greatwood Hurdle. He could easily beat State Man into the forecast spot behind Constitution Hill.
Fiver Flutter
You can see the rest of our selections for day one
Running up the hill
Rachael Blackmore has given some interesting insight on the famous Cheltenham run-in and the huge crowd - but it's not what you might think.
The new Betfair ambassador says every strain of focus is used on the climb to the finish which means the crowd noise is almost non-existent - until the roar when passing the winning post.
She said: "In the Gold Cup for example, you are so focussed on what is going on in the race so you actually can't hear the sound of the crowd as much as you think you might.
"When you cross the line, it's like all of a sudden - when A Plus Tard did it for example - you let all of the external elements in and you are just flooded with this immense noise. It is incredible.
"It's strange but sometimes you can hear the commentator over the crowd and that can actually help you as a rider. Like, if you land over the last, then the tone of the commentator can help you figure out if a horse is closing on you or if you're a good bit in front.
"But the minute you cross that line, it is like someone just hits the volume switch and turns it right up."
Ruby Tuesday
Cheltenham's winningmost jockey and Paddy Power ambassador has revealed his picks for every race on Tuesday.
Are you with or against him?
13.30 - Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: Facile Vega
14.10 - Arkle Chase: El Fabiolo to win, but there is value in Saint Roi each-way
14.50 - Ultima Handicap Chase: Fanion D’Estruval each-way
15.30 - Champion Hurdle: Constitution Hill to win
16.10 - Mares Hurdle: Brandy Love and Shewearsitwell each-way
16.50 - Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: Tekao, but Sundial is interesting each-way
17.30 - National Hunt Chase: Gaillard Du Mesnil
Who will come out on top?
The boffins at Betfair have priced up top jockey and top trainer - and it's being dominated by the Closutton team.
Betfair: Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey
Paul Townend: 2/5
Nico de Boinville: 5/1
Danny Mullins: 7/1
Davy Russell: 12/1
Rachael Blackmore: 20/1
Betfair: Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer
Willie Mullins: 1/8
Gordon Elliott: 7/1
Nicky Henderson: 8/1
Paul Nicholls: 33/1
Henry De Bromhead: 33/1
Huge gamble alert!
Coolvalla has been absolutely smashed for the final race tomorrow.
A 40-1 chance originally, the Chris Gordon-trained seven-year-old is now as short as 12-1 with Betfair.
Templegate's tip for the Supreme
IL ETAIT TEMPS can prove his Dublin Racing Festival victory was no fluke by taking the Supreme.
He took a massive step forward in winning the Grade 1 Brave Inca for Willie Mullins ahead of previously unbeaten stablemate Facile Vega.
He jumped well and travelled sweetly through the race and quickened nicely from before the last. He’ll get another strong pace to aim at here and some cut in the ground is ideal.
He looks overpriced and it would be a major surprise if he didn’t go very close again.
Facile Vega nearly pulled Paul Townend’s arms out in that race and couldn’t sustain the gallop.
You can be sure Mullins will have done a lot of work at home to help him settle and he’ll need to.
There’s no doubt his form is high-class and he showed a liking for Cheltenham when winning the Champion Bumper.
Marine Nationale battled to maintain his unbeaten record when taking the Grade 1 Royal Bond by a neck at Fairyhouse.
He needed every yard there in the mud so will like the hill and more rain would help.
High Definition has Flat class and won well on debut before making jumping errors in the Brave Inca. If he can brush up his hurdling he’s a player.
Diverge looks solid each-way especially if you can get extra places. He slaughtered a moderate field at Punchestown and has a lot more to offer after just two hurdles runs.
Tahmuras is the best of the British challenge and was impressive when winning the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.
He won’t lack for stamina and was still green last time so there’s more to come. He takes on much stiffer opposition today though.
Inthepocket took a Grade 2 at Naas before a good second behind Il Etait Temps at Leopardstown.A bit further would be ideal but it would be no shock to see him finish well and he could snatch one of those extra places many bookies are offering.
Day 1's schedule
Here's what is to look forward too on the opening day and how to follow every race.
1.30: Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle ITV1
2.10: Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase ITV1
2.50: Ultima Handicap Chase ITV1
3.30: Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy ITV1
4.10: Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle ITV1
4.50: The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race Racing TV/ bookmakers' stream
5.20: The Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup Racing TV/ bookmakers' stream
Genius punter back for more
A genius Cheltenham Festival punter who rinsed the bookies for £250,000 from just a fiver is back with two massive bets this year.
Paul Dean was front-page news when he shrewdly cashed out a £5 acca that paid £500,000 in 2021.
After three monster winners, he needed red-hot favourite Envoi Allen to win the Brown Advistory Novices' Chase to land the jackpot.
But he decided to take the money from Betfair and run before the race.
And it proved a cracking decision, with the Henry de Bromhead-trained horse falling at the fourth fence.
Punters everywhere saw their slips go up in flames, but Dean, from Stockton-on-Tees, was celebrating a life-changing win.
Speaking before the race, he said: "So after celebrations last night, four hours sleep, an hour's walk at 5am, I've decided to take a partial cash out offer.
"With other bets my position on the race is £322,000 Envoi or £250,000 the field. Thanks to @BetfairBarry @Betfair."
Edwardstone fav for Champion Chase!
Edwardstone is the clear 6-4 (from 13-8) favourite with Coral for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, following the final declarations for Wednesday's Cheltenham Festival races. Last year's winner, Energumene, is 13-8 for a repeat success, ahead of Editeur Du Gite at 9-2.
Wednesday also sees the running of the Coral Cup, for which Camprond and Run For Oscar are the sponsor's 7-1 joint favourites.
Prestbury Cup
1-25 Ireland, 16-1 GB, 14-1 TieTop Trainer
1-8 Willie Mullins, 7 Nicky Henderson, 8 Gordon Elliott, 33 Henry De Bromhead, 40 Paul Nicholls,Top Jockey
1-2 Paul Townend, 9-2 Nico De Boinville, 8 Davy Russell, 12 Danny Mullins, Rachael Blackmore, 20 Patrick Mullins, 25 Harry Cobden, 33 Jordan Gainford, Bryan CooperAny Cheltenham Festival winner to be disqualified for whip rule infringement 3-1
Ahead of his daughter Olive's Cheltenham Festival debut this week, trainer Paul Nicholls also looked forward to further meets.
Looking ahead to Aintree, he added: "Magic Saint is a lovely horse.
"He's had plenty of problems but if we can keep him in one piece he'll go to Aintree and hopefully give Olive a lovely ride around there.
"It'll be quite nerve-racking but she's looking forward to it."
Paul Nicholls reveals nerves
Trainer Paul Nicholls has revealed he is nervous ahead of his daughter Olive's Cheltenham Festival debut this week.
Olive, 17, will jockey Shantou Flyer in the St James's Place Hunters' Chase, her dad has confirmed.
Speaking to The Racing Post, Paul said: "She'll ride the old schoolmaster Shantou Flyer at Cheltenham. He's been around there a few times and is a lovely ride."
Olive, who passed her fitness test to race at Cheltenham last week, partnered her first winner on Wednesday.
And she will look to produce a solid performance atop Shantou Flyer - who competed in the Hunter's Chase in 2019 and 2020.
Olive's first win came at Wincanton on Magic Saint.
And, after debuting at Cheltenham, she is then set to jockey the nine-year-old in the Foxhunters' Chase at Aintree next month.
Speaking about watching his daughter win on Magic Saint, proud dad Paul said: "It was super.
"Watching every race makes me nervous, but she's done lots of pony racing and mixes race-riding with eventing, so she's got lots of experience.
"Obviously she's in a lucky situation that we can provide her with some nice horses to ride but, at the same time, she does a nice job."
How can I watch every Cheltenham race this year?
Coverage kicks off on the ITV1 at 1pm and finish at 4.30pm each day.
Then you can see the final two races of the day on Racing TV and on a bookies' live stream service.
Looking for the best odds?
Looking to make your money go further this week at Cheltenham?
We've compiled the best odds on the market to make things easier for you.
Cheltenham betting offers
There is simply no better time to take advantage of the huge betting offers bookies put out for Cheltenham.
Make sure you snaffle up some of the below in time for tomorrow.
Here are some of the best new customer offers on the market from our partners.
So who does the Supreme suit?
Our top tipster reveals his pick in tomorrow's first race right here - do you agree?
DARK Raven, Doctor Bravo, Facile Vega, High Definition, Inthepocket, Palace Boy and Rare Edition fall at the first hurdle having been beaten last time out.
Paul Nicholls has never tasted success in the Festival’s curtain-raiser so his Tahmuras must have a question mark.
Diverge has only run over hurdles twice and that’s not enough experience.
Chasing Fire and Strong Leader have yet to win a race at Grade 2 level or further which is a no-no.
That leaves 50-1 shot Fennor Cross, Il Etait Temps and Marine Nationale.
The latter two won Grade 1s last time.
But we’ll give the nod to IL ETAIT TEMPS as he comes from Willie Mullins who has won five of the past ten runnings.
1.30 Supreme
Templegate goes through the first race tomorrow below looking at the key trends you need to find a winner.
KEY TRENDS
Age five and six best
Stick with runners that won last time out
Your fancy needs to have had at least three runs over hurdles
A previous Grade 2 win or better is important
Champion Bumper winners have a modest record
Paul Nicholls has never won this
Going update
It looks like the first day could be run on soft!
That could help the likes of Love Envoi in the fiercely competitive Mares' Hurdle.
Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin said: "The going has been updated to soft [from soft, good to soft in places] on the Old course and soft, good to soft in places [good to soft in places, soft in places] on the New course and cross-country course.
"We have a blustery day today - we're forecast gusts of 40-45 mph but as yet have not seen that - with another 2-3mm of rain and a light shower in the early hours of tomorrow but nothing too significant and then tomorrow it should be mainly dry through the day.
"If we get the rain that's forecast today we'll be soft ground going into day one."
