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Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Cheltenham Festival Day One Tips

TUESDAY RACING TIPS

Cheltenham 1.20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Mighty Park (5/1) is the one for me in the opener on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

He was so impressive in his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse and the reports have all been incredibly positive about him, despite his lack of experience.

Willie Mullins has won this race eight times, including last year with Kopek Des Bordes, and he looks to have a very exciting novice on his hands.

I should mention this looks a very deep Supreme and I’d imagine loads in here will go on to be pretty smart, but I have a feeling Mighty Park might be a bit special.

Megan’s Tip: Mighty Park WIN

Cheltenham 2.00 – Arkle Novices’ Chase

It could be a great start to the meeting for Mullins as I do think Kargese (9/2) is overpriced here.

She was second in the Triumph a couple of years ago, so we know she’ll stay up the hill and I do think she’s the biggest danger to Kopek Des Bordes (6/4f).

I think those two in a forecast or a reverse forecast is the way to go and while Kopek Des Bordes does lack experience over fences, he’s clearly a very, very talented horse and the word from the yard is he’s absolutely flying at home.

Megan’s Tip: Forecast; Kopek Des Bordes & Kargese

Cheltenham 2.40 – Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle

The Fred Winter is always fiercely competitive so it’s a good thing BetMGM are paying six places each-way as you’re going to need them!

I’ll have a few quid on Ammes (7/1), who was once a Triumph Hurdle hope and his only defeat over hurdles has come to Minella Study, who is a leading contender for that Grade One.

Ammes runs off 128 here and that looks a pretty attractive mark to me. He was given a spin on the Flat last month and looks quite an interesting contender.

The other one I like the look of is Harwa (20/1) for Paul Nolan. He won very nicely at Fairyhouse on his stable debut where he beat a short-priced Gordon Elliott runner – it’s hard to know how good that form is but the way he did it was quite eye-catching.

He doesn’t lack for experience, having run a few times in France, and he might have just slipped under the radar for a trainer that often has a winner here.

Megan’s Tip: Ammes EW; Harwa EW

Cheltenham 3.20 – Ultima Handicap Chase

I’ve just about come down on the side of Jagwar (7/2f) in the Ultima.

He won last year’s Plate and steps up in trip here and while he isn’t the most fluent jumper, the slower pace over three miles might just help him get into a better rhythm.

He’s flown up the hill twice this year and has probably been a bit unlucky not to have won, so I think this three-mile trip will be a real help.

Each-way, I like Quebecois (17/2). He’s a horse that has been running well this season over various trips, but with the ground drying out, three miles should suit him well.

He won nicely over that trip at Ayr at the back end of last season over hurdles, and while he’s a novice stepping into open company, he’s been good this season, has plenty of experience and we know he runs well here too.

Megan’s Tip: Jagwar WIN; Quebecois EW

Cheltenham 4.00 – Champion Hurdle

This is one of the most open Champion Hurdles in recent years and it's proving a proper headache!

It’s fantastic that it’s so competitive and the fact Lossiemouth (2/1f) turns up makes it all the more intriguing.

I was all set to back The New Lion (11/4) but Lossiemouth being in there with cheekpieces has really thrown me and I’ve switched to her.

The drying ground will suit her and I’m not sure the bad ground at the Dublin Racing Festival did. She was probably outbattled that day and this will be less of that sort of race with the conditions as they are.

She’s four from four at Cheltenham and you could probably say she runs better there than anywhere else.

Willie Mullins could easily have run her in the Mares’ Hurdle later in the week so the fact he hasn’t has got to be a tip in itself.

The New Lion is clearly a big danger and the strong pace here will suit him. His jumping hasn’t always been the most fluent, but he’s very talented and will do for many.

The supplemented Tutti Quanti (22/1) is my each-way pick.

He was seriously impressive last time at Newbury and while that was on soft ground he doesn’t need it. His work at home since Newbury has improved again and I could see him getting an easy lead in front.

Harry Cobden could well be able to dictate as plenty in here need cover and that might just make him a very dangerous runner.

Megan’s Tip: Lossiemouth WIN; Tutti Quanti EW

Cheltenham 4.40 – Plate Handicap Chase

Madara (4/1) looks very interesting in the Plate.

He’s still lightly-raced for the Dan Skelton yard and has done little wrong so far since moving there.

We know he goes well at the track having been second in the 2024 December Gold Cup and he should come on from the run at Kempton, where the track may not have fully played to his strengths.

He stayed on up the straight, but this stiffer test will suit him more and I think this may have been the target for quite some time.

I’ll also have a bet on Downmexicoway (8/1), who’s two from four over fences and the return to a handicap looks a positive.

He steps up in trip which I think will bring out some improvement and he looks pretty versatile when it comes to the ground.

Megan’s Tip: Madara WIN; Downmexicoway EW

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation

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