Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Tips: Facile Vega to Bounce Back

It’s very nearly that time again. The curtain is about to be raised on the finest jumps meeting of the season. It’s time for the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, which means it’s time to nuckle down and look at the races on the first day of the greatest show on turf.

There’s lots to look forward to on day one, from kicking the meeting off in style with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle to the excitement of the Champion Hurdle, which is the premier race for two-mile runners over the smaller obstacles. The action will come thick and fast and there are lots of potential stories to look out for, such as Constitution Hill’s bid to follow up after winning in fine style last season.

Cheltenham Day 1 Tips

Here are our day 1 Cheltenham tips:

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Facile Vega lines up as the early favourite for this race and rightly so. The Willie Mullins horse pounded his rivals into submission in the Champion Bumper last season, and looks capable of following up with a win here. He disappointed when going off too quickly at Leopardstown last time out, which is why he’s not odds-on in the betting for this, but with a return to the hold-up tactics, at a venue that he likes, the exciting novice should prove too strong for the likes of Marine Nationale, who hasn’t shown the same level of form.

Tip: Facile Vega to Win at 2/1

Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase

Next up it’s the Arkle, and if the early betting is to be believed, then we’re looking at something of a two-horse race between Jonbon and El Fabiolo. The latter has impressed greatly this season, while he took his form to the next level when comfortably winning the Irish Arkle last time out. That form gives him leading claims.

Jonbon only found one too strong in the Supreme Novices’ last year, and there was absolutely no shame in losing to Constitution Hill. He’s improved as a chaser this term and remains unbeaten over fences. Has a huge chance.

The race will probably be fought out between the leading two in the market, and of the two El Fabiolo, edges it. He beat a top field at Leopardstown last time out and if the ex-French raider can transfer that form to Cheltenham, then he ought to come home in front.

Tip: El Fabiolo to Win at 7/4

Ultimate Handicap Chase

The first of the ultra-competitive handicaps take place at 14:50 on day one and it should be a thrilling contest. Corach Rambler won this race last year and after being lightly raced since is expected to go well again. That said, he’s had different prep than last year, while he’s now 6lbs worse off in the handicap, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.

Oscar Elite ran a cracker in this race last year and he was keeping on all the time at the death. He did lose his way a bit after that, but should be ready for this after winning nicely after a 53-day break at Ascot in February. From just 1lb higher than he was 12 months ago, the Joe Tizzard runner rates as a decent each-way bet.

Tip: Oscar Elite (each-way) at 11/1

Champion Hurdle

The feature race on day one is all about Consitution Hill. If he’s on song, he wins this race, it’s as simple as that. Odds of 1/3 offer little value, but as an each-way alternative, Vauban makes some appeal. The Willie Mullins runner is one win from one run at Cheltenham having won the Triumph in good style last season, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him go well. Could easily pick up the pieces if something goes wrong for the favourite.

Tip: Vauban (each-way) at 14/1

Mares’ Hurdle

This race somewhat centres around whether or not Honeysuckle is the Honeysuckle of old. If she is, early odds of 10/3 could look somewhat generous, after all, she has won a Champion Hurdle. Sure, she hasn’t been in great form this season, but her previous Cheltenham efforts are hard to ignore. We know she loves this venue, and if all is well, she’ll take plenty of beating as she bids for a fourth festival success.

However, Marie’s Rock is hard to ignore. Th slightly younger mare won this race well last season, while she looked in fine fettle when sauntering clear here back in January. She deserves to be strongly fancied on that form and with less question marks hanging over her, she looks the one to be on.

Tip: Marie’s Rock at 10/3

Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Always a tricky race with such an unexposed field and lots of potential improvers. Tekao was always going to be popular for the powerful Willie Mullins stable, while Riske Belle is another from that trainer with a chance. Instead, at slightly bigger odds, Perseus Way, for Gary and Jamie Moore, catches the eye.

The four-year-old has already finished second at Cheltenham, while he looked a decent sort when winning at Huntingdon in January. A mistake cost him at Kempton last time out, but don’t rule him out now returning to this venue. Looks a solid each-way option in an open race.

Tip: Perseus Way (each-way) at 12/1

National Hunt Challenge Cup

An exciting chase to finish day one involves another strong favourite. Gaillard Du Mesnil, for Willie Mullins, looks to have a big chance. He ran very well to finish third in the Brown Advisory last year and has leading claims here. At bigger odds Chemical Energy could be worth chancing. The Gordon Elliot runner won over three miles at Cheltenham in October, performing as if this extra distance would suit. Don’t be surprised if he’s challenging come the finish.

Tip: Chemical Energy (each-way) @ 7/1