Cheltenham Festival Tips Day One: Al Dancer and Apple’s Jade to kick things off?

Champion Day tips and odds

It’s here. It’s finally here. The 2019 Cheltenham Festival has arrived and we’re all set for 28 epic races over four fascinating days.

As is tradition, it all begins with Champion Day. We’ve got a thrilling Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and a riveting battle between Apple’s Jade and Buveur D’Air to enjoy in the Champion Hurdle too.

It should be a belting start to the Festival…

1:30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Al Dancer

Having held favouritism for weeks, Al Dancer has come under huge pressure from Angels Breath and Klassical Dream in the run-up to the Festival opener.

Klassical Dream has Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins going for him, while Angels Breath has proven massively popular with punters as the Festival approaches.

Fakir D’oudaries and Elixir De Nutz can’t be ruled out either, but Al Dancer has been simply imperious of late. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ raider was superb en route to victory in the Betfair Hurdle at Ascot last month.

That was the six-year-old’s fourth win on the spin, and all have come with Sam Twiston-Davies onboard. Another repeat performance would surely prove too much for the competition.

3.30 Champion Hurdle – Apple’s Jade                       

Buveur D’Air or Apples’ Jade? Nobody seems quite sure who wins this fascinating duel in the Champion Hurdle. Laurina is right in the hunt too.

All three have done the business over course and distance. All three have the pedigree.

We’re siding with Gordon Elliott’s charger to come out on top. The seven-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season with four wins on the spin, over 2m, 3m and everything in between by a combined 73l.