Cheltenham Day 1 Tips from our professional tipster at Free Racing Tips

Cheltenham Day 1 tips 2023

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When is Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival 2023?

Champion 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?

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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.

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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

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Constitution Hill	9/4J
2nd	Jonbon	5/1
3rd	Kilcruit	6/1

The Arkle Chase – Results

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Edwardstone	5/2F
2nd	Gabynako	25/1
3rd	Blue Lord	4/1

The Ultima Handicap Chase – Results

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Corach Rambler	10/1
2nd	Gericault Roque	9/1
3rd	Oscar Elite	22/1
4th	Tea Clipper	12/1

The Champion Hurdle – Results

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Honeysuckle	8/11F
2nd	Epatante	16/1
3rd	Zanahiyr	28/1

The Mares’ Hurdle – Results

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Marie’s Rock	18/1
2nd	Queens Brook	4/1
3rd	Mrs Milner	14/1

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Results

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Brazil	10/1
2nd	Gaelic Warrior	13/8F
3rd	Bell Ex One	28/1
4th	HMS Seahorse	8/1

National Hunt Chase – Results

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Stattler	2/1
2nd	Run Wild Fred	15/8F
3rd	Vanillier

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Appreciate It	8/11f
2nd	Ballyadam	6/1
3rd	For Pleasure	40/1

The Arkle Chase

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Shishkin	4/9f
2nd	Eldorado Allen	33/1
3rd	Captain Guinness

The Ultima Handicap Chase

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Vintage Clouds	28/1
2nd	Happygolucky	10/3f
3rd	Aye Right	11/2
4th	Cepage	14/1

The Champion Hurdle

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Honeysuckle	11/10f
2nd	Sharjah	11/1
3rd	Epatante	4/1

The Mares’ Hurdle

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Black Tears	11/1
2nd	Concertista	10/11f
3rd	Roksana	3/1

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Jeff Kidder	80/1
2nd	Saint Sam	9/2f
3rd	Elham Valley	66/1
4th	Houx Gris	11/2

National Hunt Chase

POS	HORSE	PRICE
1st	Galvin	7/2
2nd	Next Destination	3/1
3rd	Escaria Ten	11/4f

Cheltenham Festival Tuesday

Race Schedule

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

The Countdown to Cheltenham 2024

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