Cheltenham Festival betting picks: Tom Scudamore’s day one selections

I think it’s fairly obvious here that The Goffer is the one they will all have to beat. He was fourth behind Corach Rambler and Fastorslow last year, and I don’t need to tell anybody how that form has worked out. He’s 2lb lower this year as well, so he’s clearly handicapped to go well, my only slight concern is that this is a race that usually suits novices who are probably good enough to run in graded races, and The Goffer would be more exposed than some, but I still think he’s the one to beat.

I’d have a lot of respect for Chianti Classico because even though I wasn’t that impressed with him at Ascot, I thought his run at Kempton last time was very good, and he’d definitely fall into that category of an unexposed novice running a handicap.

Champion Hurdle

State Man is as far clear of the rest here as Constitution Hill was when he was in the race, and I think it will take an act of god to get him beaten here. Irish Point would be the only one you’d be slightly concerned about, but his best form is over further, and he might just find it difficult in Grade 1 company over this trip.

I think they’ll be so far behind him you probably won’t even be able to see them, but if I had to pick something to follow him home, I’d go for Zarak The Brave based on his win the Galway Hurdle, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was able to pick up the pieces in behind.

Mares’ Hurdle

Again, very straightforward, and I expect Lossiemouth will take all the beating in this. I think Ashroe Diamond and Lossiemouth are the two best mares in the race, and although you’d have to respect Marie’s Rock on her best form, I just don’t think she’s been running to the same level this year.

I think Lossiemouth would have been very competitive in the Champion Hurdle if she’d taken her chance, so if you have that opinion, then you’d have to fancy her to win this.

Boodles Juvenile Handicap 

I do like Milan Tino, and the fact the money has come for him would only increase my confidence in him. I think the handicapper has given him a chance off a mark of 126, and I don’t think it was ideal that they had to make the running on him last time, so I think the big field and likely strong pace here will suit him perfectly well.

The other one I’d give a mention to at a big price is Jack Jones’ horse An Bradan Feasa. He was disappointing last time at Musselburgh, but he’s shown a good level of form around Cheltenham, and he could be feasibly handicapped on his best form.

National Hunt Chase

I’d be favouring Embassy Gardens here over Corbetts Cross. I know his festival form is a bit disappointing, but he’s bolted up in his two runs over fences so far this season, and he looks the most solid option. Corbetts Cross is probably the one with the most ability, but his jumping has left a bit to be desired, so he’ll certainly need to jump with a bit more fluency, but no better man to get them jumping in a race like this than Derek O’Connor.

Apple Away certainly goes there with an each-way chance, and I think the marathon trip will suit her, so she’s capable of running a big race, but she will need a step forward if she’s going to beat the Irish horses at the head of the market.

Day 1 (Champion Day) betting tips

Day 2 (Style Wednesday) betting tips

Day 3 (St Patrick’s Thursday) betting tips

Day 4 (Gold Cup Day) betting tips

How to watch Cheltenham Festival

ITV will broadcast the first five races of each day at Cheltenham Festival this year, with coverage kicking off at 1pm and finishing at 4:30pm. The final two races of each can then be watched on Racing TV.

View the latest Cheltenham Festival odds

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.