‘Absolutely rapid’ - Any other interesting confirmations/omissions for Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Festival is just days away and now that the confirmations have been made for Day 1, racing fans’ collective excitement will be reaching new levels.

Here we take a look at some of the key stories, including the most exciting clashes and some of the more notable omissions from the opening day.

One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be a cracker!

Liam Bramall

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

All the big guns remain in the running for the Festival’s opening race and that includes ante-post favourite Old Park Star. Joseph O’Brien’s Talk The Talk is more than likely to turn up here, according to his trainer at least, and he arrives off the back of a Grade 1 victory.

Everyone connected with El Cairos is convinced that the six-year-old is absolutely rapid and he’s not going to be far away if they are correct. Ballyfad holds his ground too, as do two major British hopes Idaho Sun and Mydaddypaddy.

The main talking point is that Mighty Park remains entered, as well as seven other Willie Mullins horses, despite the trainer suggesting he’s Turners-bound.

Arkle Novices’ Chase

The money is starting to come for Willie Mullins’ Kopek Des Bordes and he has now usurped Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba at the top of the market. This is going to be some clash and the latter surely has a fitness advantage.

Salvator Mundi is the most notable name to be scratched from the entries at this stage and having won well at Aintree last term, perhaps he will head back there next month.

Kargese, Romeo Coolio and Irish Panther all remain in contention, as do the Ben Pauling-trained pair of Mambonumberfive and No Questions Asked Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase winner Sixmilebridge is also a possibility.

McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

The Irish trio of Mange Tout, Selma De Vary and Highland Crystal were the top weights after the initial entries and they have all come out of the race, which is going to make a big difference to the make-up of the contest.

The Willie Mullins-trained pair Bertutea and Madness d’Elle are now two of the highest-rated runners, with marks of 136 and 133 respectively, whilst Gordon Elliott’s Barbizon is up there with a rating of 134.

Joseph O’Brien has won this race for the last two years and Glen To Glen and Dignam are both still in contention to line up, with the former having the ideal profile for this race.

Ultima Handicap Chase

The Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained pair of Jagwar and Iroko have been confirmed for the Ultima, as well as last year’s impressive winner Myretown. He’s not been quite the same horse so far this season but it’s always dangerous to rule out Lucinda Russell. Quebecois is an intriguing novice for Paul Nicholls and owner Max McNeil sponsors this race. Imperial Saint and Konfusion have been very good this season and there could be more to come from them. The home team has won this race for the last 10 years.

You have to go quite far down the list to find an Irish-trained horse in the betting and Croke Park The Short Go and Blaze The Way are the strongest fancies to break Ireland’s hoodoo.

Champion Hurdle

Ballyburn and Constitution Hill are the two big omissions, although we knew that was coming with regards to the latter. The big guns are all still there though, with The New Lion, Brighterdaysahead and defending champion Golden Ace all being confirmed.

Lossiemouth is more likely to defend her Mares’ Hurdle crown but she remains in contention and the surprise package could be Paul Nicholls’ Tutti Quanti. He was an impressive winner in handicap company last time and connections are taking their chances.

Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase

Dan Skelton certainly knows how to train handicap winners at Cheltenham and the 140-rated Madara heads this potential field. He wasn’t exactly given a hard time when second at Kempton last time out and the handbrake will come off now.

There seems to be much more confidence with regards to Irish runners in this race in comparison to the Ultima and the next five in the betting hail from Ireland. McLaurey has been fancied for some time and he’s trained by handicap king Emmet Mullins. Will The Wise could be of interest for Gavin Cromwell, whilst the likes of Beckett Rock Down Memory Lane and Downmexicoway are also popular in the betting.

National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Handicap Chase

The final race on Day 1 is one for the stayers and the 3m6f event has been won by Irish runners in five of the last six years. Rebecca Curtis triumphed last year with Haiti Couleurs and she has booked the services of a leading Irish jockey for the well fancied Newton Tornado.

Emmet Mullins won this race two years ago with Corbetts Cross and he is responsible for current favourite Backersackme. Wade Out, One Big Bang and Grand Geste are all of interest for Team Britain and Joseph O’Brien’s Brave Fortune is also popular.