Get ready for the biggest week in racing

The title sounds like a prescription you’d get from your GP when he starts you on a course of antibiotics, but the only fever racing fans will be suffering from over the next four days is that of the Festival variety. The Cheltenham National Hunt Festival to be precise. The equine Olympics have come around again and it’s time for all the talking to stop, for punters everywhere to put their money where their mouths are. I’m going into detail on the opening day’s action with a breakdown of each race and make sure to check back on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for Festival tweets and a range of selections. 

Tuesday: Tipping Dunguib to win the opener tomorrow is as easy as tipping Kilkenny to beat Kerry in hurling. What I will say is that your bet on the Spinal Research Supreme Novices Hurdle should be struck at Paddy Powers because that particular bookies will refund all losing bets on other horses should Dunguib cruise home as expected. I’ll be on Blackstairmountain in the hands of Ruby Walsh on the off chance Philip Fenton’s hot pot gets sunk.

I’m very keen on Captain Cee Bee in the Arkle at 2.05. I was lucky to collect at Christmas when Sizing Europe won at Leopardstown because the Captain would have claimed that race had he stood up and I’m betting that he’ll do just that, adding a second Festival success to his resume. I’m not a Sizing Europe fan on an undulating track, Somersby hasn’t beaten a whole lot and while Riverside Theatre merits respect I believe the winner of this will hail from Ireland.  If you’re keen on an each way bet I wouldn’t put anyone off backing Willie Mullins Sports Line each way.

The William Hill Chase is a race I never seem to have any luck in. At a price I’d put up Knowhere, who ran an encouraging race at Newbury last week, and Character Building is worth a look as he has a fantastic record at the Festival. Any bet I strike on this one won’t be anything to write home about.

The jewel in the crown on the opening day at Cheltenham is the Champion Hurdle and it looks a wide open contest this time around. All season long  the principals have suffered mishaps aplenty, meaning the picture is no clearer now than it was a few months back. Go Native is a worthy favourite however and I’m leaning towards taking a plunge on Noel Meade’s charge. Already a winner of the Fighting Fifth and the Christmas Hurdle this term, last years Supreme Novice’s winner ticks most boxes. With pen in hand I’ve been known to have a last minute change of heart standing in the bookies and were this to happen tomorrow Khyber Kim, in the hands of Paddy Brennan, would be the one I’d ditch Go Native for.

Garde Champetre all day long in the Cross Country Chase at 4 o’clock. Last years winner ran a handy race over hurdles on February 17th and you just know that Enda Bolger will have the horse spot on for this unique test. Garde Champetre has to give stablemate L’Ami eight pounds but that should be well within his range.

And so you come to Tuesday’s concluding race, the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle. This looks like a straight shoot-out between last years winner Quevega and the Colm Murphy trained Voler La Vedette. The former looked very special when romping home by 14 lengths in 2009 but she comes into this years renewal without a race and due to that fact I’m going to oppose her. Voler La Vedette has the form in the book this season, a convincing win over Go Native in November her most notable scalp, and having given it a lot of thought Barry Geraghty’s mount is the selection.