Date published: March 5, 2021
Category: Cheltenham
The day is finally here! Having put up a variety of nice (and some not so nice!) ante-post selections for the Cheltenham Festival, I will give you a day-by-day run down of my thoughts and advice as the week draws on, and any bets to be had in addition to our ante-post positions.
| Bookie | Selection | Best Odds | Market | Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Galvin (view this tip here) |
14/1 | Ante Post E/W National Hunt Chase |
Place Bet |
 |
Abacadabras (view this tip here) |
12/1 | Ante Post E/W Champion Hurdle |
Place Bet |
 |
Shishkin / Envoi Allen (view this tip here) |
53/2 | Ante Post E/W Double |
Place Bet |
 |
One For The Team (view this tip here) |
16/1 | Ante Post E/W Ultima Handicap Chase |
Place Bet |
 |
Kauto Riko (view this tip here) |
33/1 | Ante Post E/W Ultima Handicap Chase |
Place Bet |
|
Happygolucky Charity Daily NAP (view this tip here) |
6/1 | Ante Post Win Ultima Handicap Chase |
Place Bet |
Date of Tips: 04/11/2020
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (14:47 04/11/2020) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival is known as Champions Day with the headline race being the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle. The festival traditionally begins on a Tuesday with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle getting things underway followed by six other races throughout the day and ending with the National Hunt Chase.
Here at WhichBookie, in the months leading up to the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, our in-house tipster Will Smith will be providing ante-post tips for the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. Will constantly monitors the form, race entries, odds and all information which is relevant to each race in order to make detailed assessments and to provide top value tips at the most opportune time.
You can view Will’s season stats here.
You can often get excellent value with ante-post tips but of course you do run the risk of losing your stake if your horse does not end up running in the race concerned.
As well as ante-post tips, Will Smith will be providing tips for the opening day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival in the days leading up to the festival. All day 1 tips will be listed at the top of this page and if you’d like to read Will’s full reasoning behind his selections, click on the ‘view this tip here’ link below each selection to be taken to the individual race page.
Below, you’ll find a list of all races taking place on the first day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. Click through to any race to read Will Smith’s tips for that race. be sure to check back regularly for new tips in the run up to the festival beginning on Tuesday 16th March 2021.
| Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Tips Tuesday 16th March 2021 |
|
|---|---|
| 1.20pm - Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle | 1.55pm - Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy |
| 2.30pm - Ultima Handicap Chase | 3.05pm - Unibet Champion Hurdle |
| 3.40pm - Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle | 4.15pm - Boodles Handicap Hurdle |
| 4.50pm - National Hunt Chase | |
Want to take a look at our tips for the rest of the festival? Click on a day below.
| 2021 Cheltenham Festival Tips | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day 2 Betting Tips | Day 3 Betting Tips | Day 4 Betting Tips |
Day 1 of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival begins the start of four great days of racing at Cheltenham Racecourse. There are seven races taking place each day with Tuesday featuring three jumps races and four chases.
See the table below for details on all of the races taking place on day 1 of Cheltenham Festival 2021.
| Start Time | Race |
|---|---|
| 13:20 | The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle |
| 13:55 | The Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase |
| 14:30 | The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase |
| 15:05 | The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy |
| 15:40 | The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle |
| 16:15 | The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle |
| 16:50 | The National Hunt Challenge Cup |
Looking for the best Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle odds? Click here.
The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle is traditionally the first race of each Cheltenham Festival and will be greeted by spectators performing the traditional ‘Cheltenham Roar’ on the off. It is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race which is open to horses aged 4 and over.
The race is a distance of approximately 2 miles and ½ furlong and there is a total of 8 hurdles for horses to jump before the finish line.
The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2020 winner was 6 year old Shishkin which was ridden by Nico de Boinville and trained by Nicky Henderson. Shishkin went off in 2020 at odds of 6/1 getting many punters off to a flying start.
| Year | Horse | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Shishkin | 6 | 6-1 | Nicky Henderson | Nico de Boinville |
| 2019 | Klassical Dream | 5 | 6-1 | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2018 | Summerville Boy | 6 | 9-1 | Tom George | Noel Fehily |
| 2017 | Labaik | 6 | 25-1 | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy |
| 2016 | Altior | 6 | 4-1 | Nicky Henderson | Nico de Boinville |
| 2015 | Douvan | 5 | 2-1F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2014 | Vautour | 5 | 7-2JF | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2013 | Champagne Fever | 6 | 5-1 | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2012 | Cinders And Ashes | 5 | 10-1 | Donald McCain | Jason Maguire |
| 2011 | Al Ferof | 6 | 10-1 | Paul Nicholls | Ruby Walsh |
| 2010 | Menorah | 5 | 12-1 | Philip Hobbs | Richard Johnson |
Did You Know?
You can watch The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle live on ITV or stream the race live on Bet365.
Looking for the best Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase odds? Click here.
The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase is over a distance of approximately 2 miles and 7 furlongs. It is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase which is open to horses aged five and over. The race is named after the racehorse ‘Arkle’ who had the highest rating of any jumps horse in the history of horse racing.
The 2020 winner of The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase was Put The Kettle On which went off at odds of 16-1.
| Year | Horse | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Put The Kettle On | 6 | 16/1 | H De Bromhead | Aidan Coleman |
| 2019 | Duc des Genievres | 6 | 5/1 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2018 | Footpad | 6 | 5-6F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2017 | Altior | 7 | 1-4F | Nicky Henderson | Nico de Boinville |
| 2016 | Douvan | 6 | 1-4F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2015 | Un De Sceaux | 7 | 4-6F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2014 | Western Warhorse | 6 | 33-1 | David Pipe | Tom Scudamore |
| 2013 | Simonsig | 7 | 8-15F | Nicky Henderson | Barry Geraghty |
| 2012 | Sprinter Sacre | 6 | 8-11F | Nicky Henderson | Barry Geraghty |
| 2011 | Captain Chris | 7 | 6-1 | Philip Hobbs | Richard Johnson |
| 2010 | Sizing Europe | 8 | 6-1 | Henry de Bromhead | Andrew Lynch |
Did You Know?
You can watch The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase live on ITV or stream the race live on Bet365.
Looking for the best Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase odds? Click here.
The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase, or the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase as it was previously known as, is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase open to horses aged five and older.
The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase is the third race to take place at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival and will be run over a distance of approximately 3 miles and 1 furlong. Runners will jump twenty fences in a bid to collect the prize money of £110,000.
The winner of the 2020 Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase was The Conditional which was trained by David Bridgwater and ridden by Brendan Powell.
| Year | Horse | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Conditional | 8 | 15-2 | D G Bridgwater | Brendan Powell |
| 2019 | Beware The Bear | 9 | 10-1 | Nicky Henerson | Jeremiah McGrath |
| 2018 | Coo Star Sivola | 6 | 5-1F | Nick Williams | Lizzie Kelly |
| 2017 | Un Temps Pour Tout | 8 | 9-1 | David Pipe | Tom Scudamore |
| 2016 | Un Temps Pour Tout | 7 | 11-1 | David Pipe | Tom Scudamore |
| 2015 | The Druids Nephew | 8 | 8-1 | Neil Mulholland | Barry Geraghty |
| 2014 | Holywell | 7 | 10-1 | Jonjo O’Neill | Richie McLernon |
| 2013 | Golden Chieftain | 8 | 28-1 | Colin Tizzard | Brendan Powell |
| 2012 | Alfie Sherrin | 9 | 14-1 | Jonjo O’Neill | Richie McLernon |
| 2011 | Bensalem | 8 | 5-1 | Alan King | Robert Thornton |
| 2010 | Chief Dan George | 10 | 33-1 | James Moffatt | Paddy Aspell |
Did You Know?
You can watch The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase live on ITV or stream the race live on Bet365.
Be sure to take a look at our 2021 Ultima Handicap Chase Tips
Looking for the best Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy odds? Click here.
The highlight of day 1 is the The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy which has prize money of no less than £450,000. The 2020 winner of this race was Epatante which went off as the favourite at 2/1 and was ridden by Barry Geraghty.
The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race has eight hurdles to be jumped over a distance of approximately 2 miles and ½ furlong.
Our Unibet Champions Hurdle tips page features WhichBookie racing analysts Will Smiths 2021 tips.
| Year | Horse | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Epatante | 6 | 2-1f | N J Henderson | B J Geraghty |
| 2019 | Espoir d’Allen | 5 | 16-1 | Gavin Cromwell | Mark Walsh |
| 2018 | Buveur D’Air | 7 | 4-6F | Nicky Henderson | Barry Geraghty |
| 2017 | Buveur D’Air | 6 | 5-1 | Nicky Henderson | Noel Fehily |
| 2016 | Annie Power | 8 | 5-2F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2015 | Faugheen | 7 | 4-5F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2014 | Jezki | 6 | 9-1 | Jessica Harrington | Barry Geraghty |
| 2013 | Hurricane Fly | 9 | 13-8F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2012 | Rock On Ruby | 7 | 11-1 | Paul Nicholls | Noel Fehily |
| 2011 | Hurricane Fly | 7 | 11-4F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2010 | Binocular | 6 | 9-1 | Nicky Henderson | Tony McCoy |
Did You Know?
You can watch The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy live on ITV or stream the race live on Bet365.
Looking for the best Mares’ Hurdle odds? Click here.
The Mares’ Hurdle, which up until 2011 was known as the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt race open to mares aged four and over. The race is run over a distance of approximately 2 miles and 4 furlongs and features ten hurdles.
The Mares’ Hurdle was only introduced in 2008 and was initially held on the final day at The Cheltenham Festival before being moved to the opening day the year after. It was also initially a Grade 2 race before being upgraded to Grade 1 in 2015.
The 2020 winner of The Mares’ Hurdle was Honeysuckle which was a 6 year old trained by Henry De Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore.
| Year | Horse | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Honeysuckle | 6 | 9-4 | H De Bromhead | Rachael Blackmore |
| 2019 | Roksana | 7 | 10-1 | Dan Skelton | Harry Skelton |
| 2018 | Benie Des Dieux | 7 | 9-2 | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2017 | Apple’s Jade | 5 | 7-2 | Gordon Elliott | Bryan Cooper |
| 2016 | Vroum Vroum Mag | 7 | 4-6F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2015 | Glens Melody | 7 | 6-1 | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 2014 | Quevega | 10 | 8-11F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2013 | Quevega | 9 | 8-11F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2012 | Quevega | 8 | 4-7F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2011 | Quevega | 7 | 5-6F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
| 2010 | Quevega | 6 | 6-4F | Willie Mullins | Ruby Walsh |
Did You Know?
You can watch The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle live on ITV or stream the race live on Bet365.
Looking for the best Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle odds? Click here.
The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, also known as the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, named in memory of the successful jockey and trainer Fred Winter (1926 – 2004).
The race features eight hurdles and is run over a distance of approximately 2 miles and ½ furlong.
The 2020 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle winner was Aramax which was ridden by M P Walsh and trained by Gordon Elliott. Aramax went off at 15-2 and won last years race by one length to Night Edition.
Year Horse Age Price Trainer Jockey
2020 Aramax 4 15-2 Gordon Elliott M P Walsh
2019 Band of Outlaws 3 7-2F Joseph O’Brien JJ Slevin
2018 Veneer of Charm 4 33-1 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy
2017 Flying Tiger 4 33-1 Nick Williams Richard Johnson
2016 Diego Du Charmil 4 13-2 Paul Nicholls Sam Twiston-Davies
2015 Qualando 4 25-1 Paul Nicholls Nick Scholfield
2014 Hawk High 4 33-1 Tim Easterby Brian Hughes
2013 Flaxen Flare 4 25-1 Gordon Elliott Davy Condon
2012 Une Artiste 4 40-1 Nicky Henderson Jerry McGrath
2011 What A Charm 4 9-1 Arthur Moore Paul Townend
2010 Sanctuaire 4 4-1F Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh
Did You Know?
You can stream the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on Bet365
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for the National Hunt Challenge Cup odds? Click here.
The National Hunt Challenge Cup is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase which is open to horses aged 5 and over. It features 25 fences to be jumped and is run over a distance of approximately 3 miles and 7 ½ furlongs making it the longest race by distance on day 1 of the Cheltenham festival.
The 2020 winner of The National Hunt Challenge Cup was 10 year old Ravenhill which was trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jamie Codd.
Ravenhill went off at 12-1 in 2020 with the 2017 winner Tiger Roll winning the race with the highest starting price of 16-1.
Take a look at our National Hunt Chase tips for 2021.
| Year | Horse | Age | Price | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Ravenhill | 10 | 12-1 | Gordon Elliott | Jamie Codd |
| 2019 | Le Breuil | 7 | 14-1 | BenPauling | Jamie Codd |
| 2018 | Rathvinden | 10 | 9-2 | Willie Mullins | Patrick Mullins |
| 2017 | Tiger Roll | 7 | 16-1 | Gordon Elliott | Lisa O’Neill |
| 2016 | Minella Rocco | 6 | 8-1 | Jonjo O’Neill | Derek O’Connor |
| 2015 | Cause Of Causes | 7 | 8-1 | Gordon Elliott | Jamie Codd |
| 2014 | Midnight Prayer | 9 | 8-1 | Alan King | Joshua Newman |
| 2013 | Back In Focus | 8 | 9/4F | Willie Mullins | Patrick Mullins |
| 2012 | Teaforthree | 8 | 5/1F | Rebecca Curtis | JT McNamara |
| 2011 | Chicago Grey | 8 | 5/1F | Gordon Elliott | Derek O’Connor |
| 2010 | Poker De Sivola | 7 | 14-1 | Ferdy Murphy | Katie Walsh |
Did You Know?
You can stream the National Hunt Challenge Cup live on Bet365.
Our National Hunt betting tips page has selections from WhichBookie racing tipster Will Smith for the 2021 race.
That concludes our round-up for day 1 of The 2021 Cheltenham Festival. Click to view our Cheltenham Festival Day 2 Guide or view the latest 2021 Cheltenham Festival Betting Offers.
I am going to work on the proviso of soft ground all over for day one, given the forecast for a band of rain to hit on Monday evening – but forecasts suggest not enough to turn the ground heavy.
The Mares Hurdle and the National Hunt Chase are races where I am struggling to recommend anything – Benie Des Dieux looks rock-solid, and while Carefully Selected looks worth taking on in the 3m 6f race, it is hard to know exactly who with, as stamina will be tested like never before for some here.
Chantry House – 11/2 EW (William Hill 7 places)
Fiddlerontheroof – 6/1 EW (William Hill 7 places)
Soviet Pimpernel – 28/1 EW (William Hill 7 places)
Having advised Abacadabras ante-post at 6/1, many of you will see the fact that I am advising a further three bets in the opener and feel I should have a word with myself. But when you consider that William Hill are going an outstanding 7 places for each-way terms, then in backing Chantry House and Fiddlerontheroof, you are essentially giving yourself two bets to nothing. Both have the ability to win this, and have had lovely preparations.
Asterion Forlonge won what is usually the best trial in Ireland, but seems to prefer better ground, jumps right, and ran a time very similar to the Spring Juvenile Hurdle on the card at Leopardstown that day, when everything went right for him. The horse he beat into second, Easywork, in my eyes is a soft ground 2m4f horse, so this effort can be marked down.
Shishkin will run very well, but isn’t a great price – which is a comment you can’t angle at Soviet Pimpernel, who at 28/1 is a wild price with 7 places to go at. A cracking course and distance second in November to Quel Destin, (who beat leading Champion Hurdle contender Call Me Lord subsequently,) when perhaps coming from further back than ideal. He has the look of a horse that has flown under the radar.
Esprit Du Large – 14/1 EW (Bet365)
We have Brewin’upastorm running for us here at 9/1, which looks handy, and I was tempted to suggest backing Fakir D’Oudairies at 9/2 with the ground in his favour, but in terms of adding a further string to our bow, then look no further than the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase winner Esprit Du Large at 14/1.
With so many front-runners in opposition, this looks ripe for something that can travel sweetly at pace and then stay on – characteristics that Evan Williams’ horse displayed in spades at Sandown before Christmas.
Atlanta Ablaze – 25/1 EW (Betway 6 places) or 28/1 EW (William Hill / Ladbrokes 5 places)
Having advised Discorama a few days ago at 9/1 on account of his run in last year’s National Hunt Chase, I see it necessary to also suggest backing the mare that arguably went through that race like much the best horse – Henry Daly’s Atlanta Ablaze. She was done no favours by Discorama at the second last, where she ultimately took a tired fall, but up until about 100 yards before that point she was hacking all over the field.
She has been brought back this season to win a decent Listed Mares Chase at Market Rasen fresh, and on the back of another break and a wind operation, she can outrun her odds.
Supasundae – 12/1 EW Bet365 (generally 4 places)
Darver Star, advised at 28/1, is still a best priced 12/1 in places and I certainly wouldn’t put anyone off backing him now. But it is the horse that was just over 4 lengths behind Darver Star in the Irish Champion Hurdle that I am quickly coming around to, in a race where I’m sure many a pundit/punter/expert has gone around and around with also.
This will be Supasundae’s sixth visit to the Cheltenham Festival, and ultimately having his first go at the Champion Hurdle at the age of 10 smacks of missing the boat, but he looked as if he badly needed the run at Leopardstown in February, as he always does. While, if you think back to the last two runs of last season, he beat Buveur D’Air at Aintree and then chased him home at Punchestown on ground plenty lively enough for him.
Not forgetting he is a 3-time open company hurdle Grade 1 winner, something that none of the other runners can claim.
Champagne Mystery – 28/1 EW (888Sport 5 places)
Hopefully you are on Imperial Aura at 25/1 and Galvin at 20/1 as advised, and they will surely give you a decent run for your money. Deyrann De Carjac wasn’t declared unfortunately, so it might be useful to give ourselves a third arrow here – and that comes in the form of the Nicky Henderson-trained Champagne Mystery.
Wildly impressive on chase debut at Aintree at the start of the season, he has then had two starts since, both eye-catching, and ran in the same Fakenham novice chase that Henderson’s 2018 runner-up Rather Be ran in before coming here. Champagne Mystery was second to Grand Annual favourite Greaneteen at Fakenham, and looks very suited to the rigours of this test.
