
Cheltenham Festival day 1: Tips, odds, races and weather for Tuesday
The undoubted highlight of day one is the Unibet Champion Hurdle (3.00), in which Constitution Hill is the red-hot favourite to regain the crown he first one back in 2023.
Brighterdaysahead and last year's winner State Man will be those attempting to stop Nick Henderson's charge from making it a perfect 11 wins from 11 starts in his career.
The first race of the meeting has been renamed the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle, in honour of the late jockey who died after a fall at Thurles last month.
Click here to remnind yourself of some of Telegraph Sport's ante post Cheltenham selections.
Cheltenham Festival day one tips
1.20: Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1 )
Marcus Armytage: The red hot favourite has an engine but pulls hard and Tripoli Flyer beat a good horse at Kempton and has a massive engine for a 25-1 shot.
Charlie Brooks: Willie Mullins says Kopek des Bordes may be one of the best he has. He looks like a champion.
2.00: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: Again the favourite Majborough looks like his jumping might be flawed and L'Eau du Sud can kick off a good week for Dan Skelton.
Charlie Brooks: I loved the way L'Eau de Sud quickened up at Cheltenham in November and was really clever when wrong at the last.
2.40: Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
Marcus Armytage: A runaway winner at Kempton last time, Katate Dori is fast improving and jockey's 3lb claim comes in handy.
Charlie Brooks: I like horses that come through the Kempton meeting before the Festival. Some people thinks its too close to Cheltenham, but I don't. Katate Dori has gone up 12lbs but he's got a nice racing weight.
3.20: Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1)
Marcus Armytage: Joyeuse won the Betfair Hurdle off a low weight but rapidly improving and the favourite Lossiemouth had the mother and father of falls last time.
Charlie Brooks: Fancied Lossiemouth for the Champion hurdle, and this is much easier. Kempton at Christmas was too sharp for her, and her fall last time was a one off blip.
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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
‘No one thinks I can do it' – Legendary Cheltenham Festival jockey makes shock comeback after 14 years
It's a name that will certainly ring a bell RAN TO GLORY 'No one thinks I can do it' – Legendary Cheltenham Festival jockey makes shock comeback after 14 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LEGENDARY Cheltenham Festival jockey who found more fame as a trainer is to make an incredible racing return after 14 years. Keiran Burke rode a winner at jumps racing's biggest meeting and trained the iconic Hunt Ball on his remarkable winning run. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Keiran Burke is one of the few to have ridden a winner at Cheltenham Festival - here on Holmwood Legend - and trained one Credit: Getty 2 Anthony Knott owner of Hunt Ball, jockey Nick Schofield and trainer Keiran Burke after their victory in the Pulteney Land Investments Novices Handicap Steeple Chase during day one of the 2012 Cheltenham Festival Credit: Alamy Now, after being teased by stable lads and lasses at his Dorset base, he is all set to dust off his whip and goggles for Newmarket this Saturday. And he even says victory in the world's longest Flat race - which has been reduced in distance owing to the dry ground - would eclipse his achievements at Cheltenham. Burke, now 39, won the 2011 Plate on Holmwood Legend for late trainer Pat Rodford. The victory was dubbed one of the 'romantic' tales of the week with the 25-1 outsider storming home by three lengths. But his career in the saddle ended in a life-threatening incident when he was 'double-barrelled' by a spooked horse. Burke had splashed some cash at the Cheltenham sales and was trotting the new purchase at home when it got spooked. Intent on catching the tearaway, Burke ran after it but the horse kicked him with both its hind legs. He was in intensive care for a week with a ruptured spleen and was so weak he couldn't walk. Burke recovered in time to train the Anthony Knott-owned Hunt Ball, who went from a lowly 69-rated chaser to Cheltenham Festival winner. The horse won seven of eight races in the 2011-12 season - including the Listed Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase at the Festival - before finishing third in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree off 154. But Burke insists winning the Newmarket Town Plate - which has been run since 1666 - would top the lot. Especially as he is taking on good friend and rival trainer Tim Vaughan. Burke said: "All the staff said I couldn't do it, so I had to prove them wrong. "It was probably about three months ago that it came on the agenda but, originally, I was a reserve. "I was then put in as someone else pulled out, so it has been a bit all last minute to get everything sorted to go and do it. "I think it would give me loads more satisfaction winning this than winning at the Cheltenham Festival. "I've not had a massive chance to think about it too much, and what it means, but it is starting to sink in a little bit more now. "I think all those old memories will be flooding back, but it is even better there are not eight flights of hurdles to negotiate!" "I've got one thing I need to get done and that is to beat Tim Vaughan. "We have not had a side bet on this, but from what I've seen he is taking this very seriously. "I was up at Newmarket at the weekend, and I was having a drink with Josephine Gordon and she texted Tim a picture of me drinking a pint for my preparation when he has been all over Instagram going running and stuff. "If Tim Vaughan is last and I'm second last I will be delighted! "I don't know about being in good shape, but I got going when I was first going to go for it then I backed off as I wasn't doing it, but now I am doing I've had to get on with it. "I've not been drinking so much or eating so much. "I've had to lose about half-a-stone which wasn't too bad. "I passed the fitness test, but that nearly killed me, however I got through it in the end. "The horse I'm riding is called Chedington's Guest. He is not the easiest horse, but he will be OK. "He was placed in a bumper at Taunton last April and he is a nice horse. "I got the best one eligible out of my lot I could find for the race. "The owners are coming up and so is my son, but as it is on a Saturday unfortunately the staff will have to stay at home and work. "I think it will be a laugh and good fun hopefully. "It has been a long time since I retired. I just need to make sure my legs are still working near the end of it." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.


The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
‘No one thinks I can do it' – Legendary Cheltenham Festival jockey makes shock comeback after 14 years
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Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
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