Cheltenham Day 1 tips 2023

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When is Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival 2023?

Cheltenham Day 2 TipsChampion Day is the start of the Cheltenham Festival and is on Tuesday March 14th 2023. Usually, famed for the “Cheltenham Roar”, as the excitement that has bottled up amongst the 65,000+ in attendance is unleashed around Cheltenham Racecourse.

There are 7 races for us to enjoy, with the first being the Supreme Novices Hurdle getting us underway at 1.30pm.  The big race of the day is the Champion Hurdle, where we saw last year, the favourite Honeysuckle take the race by 6 and a half lengths!

The penultimate race is the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.  Whilst the final race of the day is the National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup at 5.30pm

Cheltenham Day 1 tips

Here are our tips for Cheltenham Festival 2022, and what we said about them:
JONBON 1.30 Cheltenham 9/2 – The Nicky Henderson-trained pair JONBON and Constitution Hill defend unbeaten records, and in the hope the former gets a good pace to aim at for the first time in his hurdles career, he looks the best bet.
 
RIVIERE D’ETEL 2.10 Cheltenham 4/1 – Finished 7th in the Fred Winter last year, this Gordon Elliot trained filly has blossomed into a smart chaser since, having won 3 of her 5 races since her run here last year, only going down by 1/2L behind ‘Blue Lord’ last time, and had she not made a mess of the last and then got a bit short of room, then I think she’d have won. She can still make the odd mistake but she’s improved so much in the jumping department compared to last year, and if she has a clear round of jumping then I’ll be shocked if she doesn’t do well here.
 
DOES HE KNOW 2.50 Cheltenham 11/1 each way – Has plenty of Cheltenham experience and got to be respected. He’s shaped up to be a smart novice chaser, winning for a third time in 4 starts in a testing 3m Grade 2 at Ascot last month, showing bags of stamina. Can hopefully follow up with another good show of endurance here.
 
APPRECIATE IT 3.30 Cheltenham 4/1 – Looking away from the odds-on Honeysuckle, APPRECIATE IT who impressed in the Supreme last year looks the tough enough to do it. Although he hasn’t had things their way since winning the Supreme. Their chase campaign was postponed due to injury and he didn't make the Irish Champion, but he remains a very exciting prospect and can hopefully resume right from where he left off.
 
MERTELLO SKY 4.10 Cheltenham 14/1 each way – She has proved she can handle this course, and she has enjoyed a good 9-week break since making it 3 wins from her last 4 starts in demanding ground at Sandown. There’s no reason she can’t go on improving and looks well worth an each-way bet.
 
BELL EX ONE 4.50 Cheltenham 25/1 each way – Gained plenty of experience on the Flat and there’s a lot to like about the way he's taken to hurdling, supplementing his Listowel win with another at Punchestown back in October. He’s since left R. P. Cody and joined the powerful Nicholls yard for £110,000. They’ll hopefully be looking to return on their investment with a bold showing today.
 
RUN WILD FRED 5.30 Cheltenham 7/4 – Really turned a corner since being fitted with blinkers, making all in the 16-runner Troytown Chase before a gaining a respectable second in Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novices' Chase. He clearly has plenty of experience over fences to call upon, which could be significant. And if he can get into his usual rhythm, he’ll be a tough nut to crack.
METIER 13:20 Cheltenham 6/1 – Unbeaten over hurdles, APRECIATE will be a very popular favourite, but, in my opinion and the stats back it up, he is too old at 7 for this race. METIER, who landed the Tolworth hurdle in some style back in January is still progressing and also unbeaten.
SHISHKIN 13:50 Cheltenham 1/2 – Very poor turnout for this race as last years Supreme Novices Hurdle winner has scared them all off. SHISKIN win still be unbeaten after this race and the odds reflect that.
PYM 14:30 Cheltenham 12/1 each way – Course winner who was found out in top company when pulling up in the RAS last year. A good ground win at Sandown in a tactical race at Sandown got him off the mark for the season before running ok at Newcastle last time. Ideally he needs to get a lead early on and maintain a rhythm.
ABRACADABRAS 15:05 Cheltenham 8/1 each way – Not very far behind Shiskin in the Supreme and landed the Morgana in November. Beaten by both HONEYSUCKLE and SHARJAH since but he no back number on return to this course and won't be far away at the finish. Of the big 2 I feel that EPATANTE will have the measure of HONEYSUCKLE. SILVER STREAK is likely to set a blistering pace and tire up the hill.
CONCERTISTA 15:40 Cheltenham 11/8 – Ran away with the Dawn Run at last years festival and the evidence of her two runs before Christmas suggests that this race is here for the taking.
JEFF KIDDER 16:15 Cheltenham 66/1 each way – A race noted for big priced winners full of unexposed babies. JEFF KIDDER got off the mark at Fairyhouse with some ease in November but was out of his depth in a Grade 2 last time. Massive shout at big odds.
REMASTERED 16:50 Cheltenham 13/2 each way – Unbeaten over fences and can continue to progress, some are concerned about the better going but he ran well enough when he encountered similar over hurdles.

You’ll find in-depth analysis, antepost bets plus trends and statistics for the last 12 years for every single race here:

As these articles are written in advance of the 2023 Festival, the likely contenders are expected to change as we get closer to Champion Day. The picture also starts to get much clearer as we approach the festival, with trainers starting to show their cards in the weeks leading up to Day 1. 

To get our very latest, up-to-date thoughts on the Day 1 card, and our final Cheltenham Day 1 tips, you will need to be a VIP member or one of our special Cheltenham members, and then we will email you the full Day 1 tips on the morning of Champion Day.

Who is FRT’s Cheltenham Day 1 Tipster?
Meet Gary, better known as The Bookies Enemy.
 

He’s not only one of our most experienced tipsters (having been tipping professionally for six years), but he also shares his extensive knowledge with his members by providing a full analysis of every one of his selections.

You won't be betting blind.
 
Instead, put your money behind well-researched, fully explained tips from the professional tipster who’s delivered year on year for his followers:

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Cheltenham Day 1 tips – How did we do?

Last year did not get us off to a great start, with only our each way shout for the day scoring points of profit for us.  Here's how they fared:

 

JONBON 1.30 Cheltenham 9/2 – Came 2nd
RIVIERE D’ETEL 2.10 Cheltenham 4/1 – Lost
DOES HE KNOW 2.50 Cheltenham 11/1  – Lost
APPRECIATE IT 3.30 Cheltenham 4/1 – Lost
MERTELLO SKY 4.10 Cheltenham 14/1 each way – Lost
BELL EX ONE 4.50 Cheltenham 25/1 each way – Placed for 3.67 points profit
RUN WILD FRED 5.30 Cheltenham 7/4 – Came in 2nd

1.20pm – METIER– not the strongest of starts for our tips, Metier chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, well beaten from next, eased before last to finish in 7th place.

1.55pm – SHISHKIN – first winner of the festival for Keith with Shishkin who tracked leader until settled off the pace in 3rd place at 2nd, closer at 5th, travelling strongly before challenged 3 out, soon led, clear before next, 10 lengths ahead last, impressive winner.

2.30pm – PYM – started off strong, led until 10th, led 13th, headed and not fluent 14th, not fluent next, lost place after 4 out, well beaten 3 out to finish in 11th place.

3.05 – ABRACADABRAS – our first faller of the festival, Abracadabras was held up towards rear of mid-division, fell 3rd

3.40pm – CONCERTISTA – held up in mid-division, headway after 7th, mistake and went 2nd 2 out, led before not fluent last, driven flat, headed last strides but couldn't do enough and finished 2nd place.

4.15pm – JEFF KIDDER – well we have to shout about an 80/1 winner!  66/1 when Keith first advised and drifted to 80/1 Jeff Kidder waited with in mid-division, steady headway and switched right before 2 out, weaved way through between horses approaching the last, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, quickened clear – great ride and a great result for Keith – 2021 Cheltenham Festival will be in profit for our members.

4.50pm – REMASTERED – led, hit 4 out, headed after 3 out, lost 4th and weakened from last to finish in 5th place.

Keith’s Cheltenham Day 1 tips started off with the Supreme Novices Hurdle, his selection ASTERION FORLONGE led most of the way and jumped right at the hurdles throughout the race headed and outpaced approaching the last he faded to fourth.

Our Arkle selection performed poorly weakening from 3 out and finishing sixth.

VINTAGE CLOUDS in the Ultima disputed the lead until the ninth then weakened away tamely. 

In the Champion Hurdle PENTLAND HILLS quite simply was never traveling and finished well down the field.

BENIE DES DIEUX stayed on strongly in the Mares Hurdle but had to settle for second best behind HONEYSUCKLE.

The Novices Handicap Chase brought a much needed winner when IMPERIAL AURA stayed on strongly to score by 3½ lengths.

CAREFULLY SELECTED looked like getting at least a place in the National Hunt Challenge Cup when unseating at the last.

Day 1 Cheltenham Festival Finishes

Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Results

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Results

POSHORSEPRICE
1stConstitution Hill9/4J
2ndJonbon5/1
3rdKilcruit6/1

 

 

The Arkle Chase – Results

POSHORSEPRICE
1stEdwardstone5/2F
2ndGabynako25/1
3rdBlue Lord4/1

 

 

The Ultima Handicap Chase – Results

POSHORSEPRICE
1stCorach Rambler10/1
2ndGericault Roque9/1
3rdOscar Elite22/1
4thTea Clipper12/1

 

 

The Champion Hurdle – Results

POSHORSEPRICE
1stHoneysuckle8/11F
2ndEpatante16/1
3rdZanahiyr28/1

 

 

The Mares’ Hurdle – Results

POSHORSEPRICE
1stMarie’s Rock18/1
2ndQueens Brook4/1
3rdMrs Milner14/1

 

 

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Results

POSHORSEPRICE
1stBrazil10/1
2ndGaelic Warrior13/8F
3rdBell Ex One28/1
4thHMS Seahorse8/1

 

 

National Hunt Chase – Results

POSHORSEPRICE
1stStattler2/1
2ndRun Wild Fred15/8F
3rdVanillier

 

 

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

POSHORSEPRICE
1st Appreciate It8/11f
2nd Ballyadam6/1
3rd For Pleasure40/1

The Arkle Chase

POSHORSEPRICE
1st Shishkin4/9f
2nd Eldorado Allen33/1
3rd Captain Guinness

The Ultima Handicap Chase

POSHORSEPRICE
1st Vintage Clouds28/1
2nd Happygolucky10/3f
3rd Aye Right11/2
4th Cepage14/1

The Champion Hurdle

POSHORSEPRICE
1st Honeysuckle 11/10f
2nd Sharjah11/1
3rd Epatante4/1

The Mares’ Hurdle

POSHORSEPRICE
1st Black Tears 11/1
2nd Concertista10/11f
3rd Roksana3/1

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

POSHORSEPRICE
1st Jeff Kidder 80/1
2nd Saint Sam9/2f
3rd Elham Valley66/1
4th Houx Gris11/2

National Hunt Chase

POSHORSEPRICE
1st Galvin7/2
2nd Next Destination3/1
3rd Escaria Ten11/4f

Cheltenham Festival Tuesday

Race Schedule

START TIMESRACEDISTANCETYPE
13:30The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race2m abt ½fHurdle
14:10The Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chaseabt 2mChase
14:50The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase3m abt 1fChase
15:30The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
(feature race)
2m abt ½fHurdle
16:10The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race2m abt 4fHurdle
16:50The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Grade 3)2m abt 4½fChase
17:30The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Steeple Chase) (Grade 2)3m abt 6fChase

 

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