Cheltenham Festival 2023 LIVE: Templegate's Tips, racecards, free bets, odds and latest declarations for ENITRE week
AFTER 51 weeks of waiting, Cheltenham Festival finally returns TOMORROW.
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.
Nerves of jelly
Paul Nicholls has revealed he is nervous ahead of his daughter Olive’s Cheltenham Festival debut this week.
Paul's daughter, Olive, will jockey Shantou Flyer in the St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase, her dad has confirmed.
He told The Racing Post: “She’ll ride the old schoolmaster Shantou Flyer at Cheltenham. He’s been around there a few times and is a lovely ride.”
However, 17-year-old Olive has left her dad nervous ahead of her Cheltenham debut despite picking up a recent win at Wincanton on Magic Saint.
Speaking about her win on Magic Saint, 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.”
Crowd goers
As many as 260,000 people are expected to attend Cheltenham Festival this year.
The four-day event is one of the UK's biggest racing spectacles, and will once again welcome punters from across the land.
The 28 races are expected to provide excitement, anguish and elation as horses, jockeys and trainers battle it out for a spot in the history books.
Day 2 cancellation fears
The second day of the Cheltenham Festival is under threat with overnight temperatures set to dip to an arctic MINUS FIVE.
The Prestbury Park course has already been battered by rain, snow and 50mph winds, with conditions turning soft.
Cheltenham avoided the snowfall which hit parts of Britain last week and officials were hopeful the four-day event would be unaffected by the unseasonal weather.
But the prospect of a frozen course has led to fears Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase card could bite the dust.
Read the full story here.
Blackmore's insight
Rachael Blackmore has provided her insight on the famous Cheltenham run-in – and what she has to say might shock you.
Blackmore says the crowd noise is almost non-existent due to all her focus being used on the climb to the finish.
That is 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.”
Chapman's clue-in
Matt Chapman has given SunSport readers his tips for the Cheltenham Festival.
For the Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy he's backing CONSTITUTION HILL, described as possibly "the best hurdler any of us have ever seen".
For the opening race of Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Chapman backs TAHMURAS each-way.
For race two, the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase, he is all over JONBON.
OSCAR ELITE is Chapman's tip for the Ultima Handicap Chase.
After day one's main event, another Grade 1 in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle has Champan backing LOVE ENVOI each-way.
PERSEUS WAY each-way in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race and GAILLARD DU MESNIL in the Grade 2 Wellchild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase round off Chapman's tips for a perfect day.
Sex bomb
Winning Cheltenham Festival is like "having sex" according to Ryanair owner Michael O'Leary.
It's an interesting analogy, but as he explains, you always remember your first time.
He told SunSport's Matt Chapman: "It's the most important race for me by a distance.
"It's the one everybody wants to win at Cheltenham. I'd take it over the Champion Hurdle, Grand National or Derby — and every other race.
"As a kid the first race I watched was the Grand National — I remember the TV coverage starting at 11am and we would watch all day.
"But I think you are naturally drawn to the Gold Cup. It's the pinnacle and the best chasers and best horses usually win it.
"Like sex, you always remember your first Gold Cup.
"On my death bed I will remember the birth of my four children, the marriage to my wife and War of Attrition winning the Gold Cup."
Golden rule
Want to know how to win at Cheltenham? Well, Ryan Brocklebank - who won £2.5MILLION at Cheltenham - has revealed his golden rule.
Writing in his book, ''£3 Million In 3 Weeks: The Squirrel Syndicate', he revealed how betting on the day works best to "get the value".
He said: "My golden rule is get the value.
"Back in the day advance ante-post flutters were a fabulous way of banking value, but these days the value ante-post isn’t there at all for the man in the street.
"I’d say now the best value is on the race day itself, with bookmakers of all kinds offering extra places in lots of races and they also very often push the prices out a bit.
"The special offers sometimes are so good that you can have a bet to nothing.
"The ante-post punt is often overtaken by events with horses declared non-runners after standing on a stone, or injuring themselves on the gallops."
Cheltenham schedule
Here’s a look at how Cheltenham will run on opening day and where you can watch each 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
Cheltenham weather report
Cheltenham is set to open on Tuesday with soft ground at the Old course.
Jon Pullin, Cheltenham’s clerk of the course, has revealed how the ground is set to look on Tuesday and Wednesday.
As quoted by the Guardian, he said: "We had 4mm on the Old course, so we’re soft ground for Tuesday and Wednesday at the moment.
“It will dry back a little bit today, but we do have some showers moving in later on.
"Hopefully nothing too significant volume-wise, but that may well negate any improvement that we get during the day.
"There’s the chance of showers early tomorrow morning but the rest of the day should be mainly dry.
"The temperature drops sharply overnight, possibly as low as minus 2C, but it will only be a one-night frost.
"Against that is the fact we’ll have raced on Tuesday and opened it up a little bit, but we are not too concerned."
Unbelievable odds
Not like the 4/11 on Constitution Hill but fancy him to win?
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Taking him on?
Are you looking to take on the 1/3 shot in the Champion Hurdle?
Here's the current odds for the day one feature:
- Constitution Hill 4/11
- State Man 10/3
- Vauban 14/1
- I Like To Move It 18/1
- Zanahiyr 66/1
- Not So Sleepy 100/1
- Jason The Militant 125/1
Cheat Sheet
So you've heard every man, lady and their dog's opinion for day one.
Well, Paddy Power have the ultimate cheat sheet ahead of Tuesday's start.
Their pundits have put together their cases to be the day one maestro, with their top picks.
You can read them here.
Barry looking ahead
Barry Geraghty schooled Constitution Hill over fences as a three-year-old and reckons a chase career is a sound option for the Champion Hurdle favourite.
The Nicky Henderson runner is expected to bolt up tomorrow and Geraghty told William Hill his massive potential could take him to a Champion Chase or even a Gold Cup.
He said: "Constitution Hill has the option to go and jump fences.
“Whether that takes him to a Champion Chase and I do know Michael [Buckley] has mentioned how he’d love to try and match Dawn Run’s achievement and go for a Gold Cup. A lot of water has to go under the bridge before then, but he’s a horse with massive potential.
“He schooled over fences as a three-year-old and jumped really well, so chasing is certainly an option for him.”
Chelt weather
Although it looks bleak in the forecast for the rest of the day, tomorrow seems set to be a cracking weather day thankfully.
Not very warm as it sits at only about 8°, but at least it SHOULDN'T be raining!
All that before a mixed outlook for Gold Cup day on Friday.
Not what you want
Racing TV have provided an update of how Cheltenham looks at the minute.
This video taken at 4.45pm shows a rather wet and empty concourse which will hopefully be awash with colour tomorrow.
But right now? It looks rather dreich!
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!
BET UK: GET £60 IN FREE BETS - CLAIM HERE*
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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.
