(R1) 13:20 CHELTENHAM, 2M

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(R1) 13:20 CHELTENHAM, 2m 87y Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4YO plus) No Silk Form Horse Details Age/Wt Jockey/Trainer OR 1 112-111 APPRECIATE IT (IRE) 37 D 7 11 - 7 P Townend 153 b g Jeremy - Sainte Baronne W P Mullins

2 31-1142 BALLYADAM (IRE) 37 D 6 11 - 7 J W Kennedy 148 b g Fame And Glory - Grass Tips H de Bromhead

3 123 BLUE LORD (FR) 37 D 6 11 - 7 D A Jacob 145 b g Blue Bresil - Lorette W P Mullins

4 111410 FOR PLEASURE (IRE) 23 CD 6 11 - 7 Harry Bannister 144 ch g Excelebration - Darsan A M Hales

5 9-25111 GRUMPY CHARLEY 19 D 6 11 - 7 Bryan Carver 143 gr g Shirocco - Whisky Rose Chris Honour

6 5/125 IRASCIBLE (FR) 37 6 11 - 7 Rachael Blackmore 143 gr g Jukebox Jury - Karuma H de Bromhead

7 111 METIER (IRE) 73 D 5 11 - 7 S Bowen 148 b g Mastercraftsman - We'll Go Walking Harry Fry

8 2-12F31 SOARING GLORY (IRE) 23 D 6 11 - 7p1 Jonjo O'Neill Jr. 143 b g Fame And Glory - Hapeney Jonjo O'Neill

ATR VERDICT: No crowd, no roar and a unique Cheltenham Festival kicks off here, but there could be a familiar feel about the opener, with Willie Mullins fancied to win it for the fifth time in the last nine years courtesy of APPRECIATE IT. Last year's Champion Bumper runner-up hasn't put a foot wrong over hurdles so far this season, progressing from a Cork maiden to win a couple of Grade 1 events at Leopardstown, and he could pound his rivals into submission here. He was devastating at Christmas, if slightly more workmanlike last time, and with Paul Townend sure to make this a proper test from towards the front end, it will take a good one to get past him coming up the famous hill. Ballyadam and stablemate Blue Lord finished second and third respectively behind him at the Dublin Racing Festival and it could be a similar outcome today, with the best of the English, Metier and Soaring Glory, seemingly needing to up their game to be competitive.

Top Tip: APPRECIATE IT (1) Watch out for: BALLYADAM (2) PDF Form Guide - Free from attheraces.com

(R2) 13:55 CHELTENHAM, 1m 7f 199y Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5YO plus) No Silk Form Horse Details Age/Wt Jockey/Trainer OR 1 13-3111 ALLMANKIND 29 CD 5 11 - 4ht Harry Skelton 160 b g Sea The Moon - Wemyss Bay D Skelton

2 2B-P12F CAPTAIN GUINNESS (IRE) 38 D 6 11 - 4 Rachael Blackmore 153 b g Arakan - Presenting D'azy H de Bromhead

3 30-1142 ELDORADO ALLEN (FR) 45 CD 7 11 - 4t1 H Cobden 149 gr g Khalkevi - Hesmeralda C L Tizzard

4 72P-112 FRANCO DE PORT (FR) 38 D 6 11 - 4 P Townend 156 br g Coastal Path - Ruth W P Mullins

5 5-43113 NUMITOR 26 D BF 7 11 - 4 T Scudamore 127 gr g Schiaparelli - Just Popsy Mrs H Main

6 111-111 SHISHKIN (IRE) 45 CD 7 11 - 4 Nico de Boinville 164 b g Sholokhov - Labarynth N J Henderson

ATR VERDICT: Up until a few days ago this looked like being the clash of the Festival, but with Willie Mullins' Energumene picking up an injury late on and forced to sit it out, SHISHKIN now has the race at his mercy. The strapping son of Sholokhov overcame an extremely troubled passage to win last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle and he has since taking to fences like a duck to water, effortlessly winning three races including twice at Grade 2 level. There is seemingly no chinks in his armour and it would be a huge shock if he got turned over. Allmankind, who is also three from three over fences, looks the obvious danger but his aggressive style of racing should set the race up perfectly for the favourite. If he runs out of gas at the bottom of the hill, Leopardstown's Racing Post Novice Chase winner Franco De Port could be best placed to pick up the pieces and take second.

Top Tip: SHISHKIN (6) Watch out for: FRANCO DE PORT (4) PDF Form Guide - Free from attheraces.com

(R3) 14:30 CHELTENHAM, 3m 1f Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5YO plus) No Silk Form Horse Details Age/Wt Jockey/Trainer OR 1 617-P14 CEPAGE (FR) 23 C 9 11 - 12 Charlie Deutsch 158 b g Saddler Maker - Sience Fiction Miss V Williams

2 5-23262 AYE RIGHT (IRE) 45 8 11 - 8 R Johnson 154 b g Yeats - Gaybric Mrs H O Graham

3 11PP-15 PYM (IRE) 108 CD 8 11 - 7 Nico de Boinville 153 b g Stowaway - Liss Rua N J Henderson

4 11P/091 OK CORRAL (IRE) 416 11 11 - 5 M P Walsh 151 - b g Mahler - Acoola N J Henderson

5 21-12P0 MILAN NATIVE (IRE) 79 C 8 11 - 3t J W Kennedy 149 br g Milan - That's The Goose Mrs D Foster

6 334-121 HAPPYGOLUCKY (IRE) 95 CD 7 11 - 1 David Bass 147 br g Jeremy - Mydadsabishop K C Bailey

7 41-2181 ALNADAM (FR) 38 8 10 - 13 Harry Skelton 145 b g Poliglote - Rosadame D Skelton

8 1/7231- DELIRE D'ESTRUVAL (FR) 17 8 10 - 11b D A Jacob 143 P b g Youmzain - Question D'estruval Ben Pauling

9 158-753 VINTAGE CLOUDS (IRE) 25 D 11 10 - Ryan Mania 143 gr g Cloudings - Rare Vintage 11p1 Mrs S J Smith

10 4-149UF DISCORDANTLY (IRE) 30 7 10 - 10 R M Power 142 b g Salutino - Collinstown Queen Mrs J Harrington

11 2211-13 ADMIRAL'S SECRET 29 10 10 - 10 Alan Johns 142 b g Kayf Tara - Bobs Bay V R A Dartnall

12 1-3U255 ONE FOR THE TEAM 45 7 10 - 8 T Scudamore 140 b g Shirocco - One Gulp Nick Williams

13 7-21543 THE WOLF (FR) 27 7 10 - 5 Adrian Heskin 137 ch g Kapgarde - Ges Olly Murphy

14 U27-333 NIETZSCHE 94 C 8 10 - 2t J J Burke 134 ch g Poet's Voice - Ganga B Ellison

15 P-561P0 SOUPY SOUPS (IRE) 17 10 10 - 2p R T Dunne 134 ch g Stowaway - Near Dunleer N P Mulholland

16 12P-498 FINGERONTHESWITCH (IRE) 17 D 11 10 - 0tp Millie Wonnacott (5) 132 b g Beneficial - Houseoftherisinsun N P Mulholland

Long Handicap: Fingerontheswitch 9 - 12 ATR VERDICT: Happygolucky fits plenty of key trends for this race and has been well backed over the last fortnight for a trainer enjoying an excellent season so far. Novice chasers often do well in this event, and Kim Bailey's charge does have all-important course form having won here in December, beating The Mighty Don and Hold The Note without much fuss. He is fairly handicapped off 147 and is fancied to go close. Trained by Harriet Graham in the Scottish Borders, AYE RIGHT has impressed this season in big-field handicaps. Second in the Ladbroke at Newbury behind Grand National favourite Cloth Cap and third in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby behind the top-class Cyrname, it is hard to ignore his consistency. He was also second in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster when last seen and the booking of Richard Johnson really catches the eye. He has gone up 3lb, but Cepage carries top weight and that will help the selection. Milan Native won the Kim Muir here last season but the Irish have a poor record in this contest.

Top Tip: AYE RIGHT (2) Watch out for: HAPPYGOLUCKY (6)

(R4) 15:05 CHELTENHAM, 2m 87y Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4YO plus) No Silk Form Horse Details Age/Wt Jockey/Trainer OR 1 12-2152 ABACADABRAS (FR) 38 D 7 11 - 10t J W Kennedy 158 b g Davidoff - Cadoubelle Des As Mrs D Foster

2 11F2-12 ASPIRE TOWER (IRE) 77 D 5 11 - 10 R M Power 160 b g Born To Sea - Red Planet H de Bromhead

3 111U-01 GOSHEN (FR) 24 D 5 11 - 10 J E Moore 164 b g Authorized - Hyde G L Moore

4 121212 JAMES DU BERLAIS (FR) 121 5 11 - 10 D A Jacob 160 ch g Muhtathir - King's Daughter W P Mullins

5 110P-R1 NOT SO SLEEPY 87 D 9 11 - 10 J J Burke 149 ch g Beat Hollow - Papillon de Bronze H Morrison

6 31F/1- SALDIER (FR) 38 D 7 11 - 10p1 D E Mullins 156 66 b g Soldier Hollow - Salve Evita W P Mullins

7 4162-13 SHARJAH (FR) 38 D 8 11 - 10t P Townend 164 b g Doctor Dino - Saaryeh W P Mullins

8 26-1C21 SILVER STREAK (IRE) 80 D 8 11 - 10 T J O'Brien 163 gr g Dark Angel - Happy Talk Evan Williams

9 9/111-12 EPATANTE (FR) 80 CD BF 7 11 - 3 Aidan Coleman 161 b m No Risk At All - Kadjara N J Henderson

10 1111-11 HONEYSUCKLE 38 C D 7 11 - 3 Rachael Blackmore 161 b m Sulamani - First Royal H de Bromhead

ATR VERDICT: Nicky Henderson and, even more so, J P McManus have made this race their own in recent years, with Epatante making it four wins in a row for the top owner (and three wins from the last four runnings for Henderson) 12 months ago. The seven-year-old made an impressive reappearance when winning the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and warrants respect as she bids to defend her crown, but she looked flat when turned over by Silver Streak in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle last time and can be taken on with the other mare in the field, HONEYSUCKLE, today. Whereas the former arrives under a bit of a cloud, Henry De Bromhead's charge produced a career- best performance when bolting up in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last time, a jaw- dropping effort that convinced connections to have a crack at this. She turned over the very smart Benie Des Dieux in last season's Mares' Hurdle, so that ticks the travelling and handling Cheltenham boxes, and is fancied to maintain her unbeaten record this afternoon, to make it 11 out of 11 under Rules. Tom O'Brien has picked up a nice spare ride on the aforementioned Silver Streak and he could run into a place.

(R5) 15:40 CHELTENHAM, 2m 3f 200y Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4YO plus) No Silk Form Horse Details Age/Wt Jockey/Trainer OR 1 122-331 BLACK TEARS 15 D 7 11 - 5p J W Kennedy 148 b m Jeremy - Our Girl Salley Mrs D Foster

2 4331-11 CONCERTISTA (FR) 77 C D 7 11 - 5 P Townend 153 ch m Nathaniel - Zagzig W P Mullins

3 1/511- DAME DE COMPAGNIE (FR) 38 CD 8 11 - 5h Aidan Coleman 148 1U b m Lucarno - Programmee N J Henderson

4 2/132-23 DOLCITA (FR) 29 6 11 - 5t P J Brennan 135 b m Saint Des Saints - Orcantara F O'Brien

5 129-142 FLORESSA (FR) 45 BF 6 11 - 5 Nico de Boinville 143 b m Poliglote - Dona Rez N J Henderson

6 3083-17 GREAT WHITE SHARK (FR) 47 BF 7 11 - 5 D E Mullins 147 gr m Le Havre - Trip To Fame W P Mullins

7 2311-36 INDEFATIGABLE (IRE) 66 CD 8 11 - 5 Rex Dingle 149 b m Schiaparelli - Spin The Wheel P R Webber

8 110-222 MINELLA MELODY (IRE) 77 D 7 11 - 5 Rachael Blackmore 143 b m Flemensfirth - Cottage Theatre H de Bromhead

9 FB-2214 MY SISTER SARAH (IRE) 77 D 7 11 - 5p B J Cooper 144 ch m Martaline - Reste Ren Or W P Mullins

10 524-131 ROKSANA (IRE) 52 CD 9 11 - 5 Harry Skelton 153 b m Dubai Destination - Talktothetail D Skelton

11 16-521P WHITEHOTCHILLIFILI (IRE) 29 D 7 11 - 5 S Bowen 136 b m Milan - Mhuire Na Gale Harry Fry

ATR VERDICT: Concertista got the better of Dolcita (second) to land the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago and has looked a cut above when plundering a pair of Graded contests against her own sex in Ireland this season. She extended her advantage over Minella Melody (second to Concertista the last twice) to over six lengths at Leopardstown during the Christmas period, with Black Tears (third) and My Sister Sarah (fourth) also amongst the beaten horses that day. Roksana took advantage of the fall of Benie Des Dieux when landing this in 2019 and drops back in trip having done little wrong so far this term. Last year's Coral Cup winner Dame De Compagnie is one of two in the race for Nicky Henderson, alongside Gerry Feilden winner Floressa. However, with the prospect of drying ground, it may be worth taking a chance on INDEFATIGABLE, who has a fantastic course record and stormed up the hill to pinch the Martin Pipe last year. She is rated just 4lb inferior to Concertista, but can bridge that gap with conditions and the track firmly in her favour.

(R6) 16:15 CHELTENHAM, 2m 87y Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Fred Winter) (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4YO only) No Silk Form Horse Details Age/Wt Jockey/Trainer OR 1 21122 NASSALAM (FR) 24 4 11 - 10 J E Moore 141 ch g Dream Well - Ramina G L Moore

2 1F4 YOUMDOR (FR) 37 D 4 11 - 10h B J Cooper 141 b g Youmzain - Decize W P Mullins

3 911242 SAINT SAM (FR) 37 4 11 - 8h1 P Townend 139 b g Saint Des Saints - Ladeka W P Mullins

4 13411 CABOT CLIFFS (IRE) 18 D 4 11 - 6h Harry Skelton 137 ch g Gleneagles - Hallouella D Skelton

5 13621 DRUID'S ALTAR (IRE) 31 D 4 11 - 4 H Morgan (5) 135 b g Mastercraftsman - Shell Garland Joseph P O'Brien

6 123 BUSSELTON (FR) 37 4 11 - 4p1 J J Slevin 135 b g Mastercraftsman - Blessed Luck Joseph P O'Brien

7 213 RIVIERE D'ETEL (FR) 46 D BF 4 11 - 3h J W Kennedy 134 g f Martaline - Angesse Mrs D Foster

8 2231 BALKO SAINT (FR) (EX5) 13 4 11 - 3 Chester Williams (5) 134 b g Balko - Sainte Cupid Mrs J Williams

9 1114 LONGCLAW (USA) 137 D 4 11 - 1t S D Torrens (3) 132 b g Kitten's Joy - Secret Union J C McConnell

10 2-1P3 HELL RED (FR) 24 D BF 4 11 - 0t Bryony Frost 131 gr g Martaline - Queen Margot P F Nicholls

11 123 GLORIOUS ZOFF (IRE) 94 (60F) 4 11 - 0t K M Donoghue 131 b g Zoffany - Ardbrae Lady Mrs D Foster

12 363321 ZOFFANIEN (IRE) 16 4 10 - 13 R Johnson 130 b g Zoffany - Australienne Denis Hogan

13 12313 HOUX GRIS (FR) 66 4 10 - 11 H Cobden 128 gr g Gris De Gris - Qarera P F Nicholls

14 211168 SOLDIER ON PARADE 17 D 4 10 - 11v1 Jack Quinlan 128 b g Dunaden - Litewska Amy Murphy

15 241 COLTOR (IRE) 44 D 4 10 - 10v Jonjo O'Neill Jr. 127 b g Free Eagle - Reclamation D K Weld

16 221 HER INDOORS (IRE) 46 4 10 - 10 Adrian Heskin 127 b f Raven's Pass - Superfonic A King

17 123 SAGE ADVICE (IRE) 26 D BF 4 10 - 10 Sam Twiston-Davies 127 b g Make Believe - Purple Sage Dr R D P Newland 18 421 TINNAHALLA (IRE) 39 D 4 10 - 9h Non Runner 126 b g Starspangledbanner - Bright Bank Olly Murphy

19 2P8 BURGUNDY MAN (FR) 120 4 10 - 8 G Sheehan 125 b g Manduro - Kapirovska Miss V Williams

20 2221 HOMME PUBLIC (FR) 23 4 10 - 8t Henry Brooke 125 b g Cokoriko - Uddy Oliver Greenall

21 2217 JEFF KIDDER (IRE) 80 D 4 10 - 8 S W Flanagan 125 b g Hallowed Crown - Alpine N Meade

22 143 ELHAM VALLEY (FR) 24 D 4 10 - 7t P J Brennan 124 gr g Tin Horse - Dame Du Floc F O'Brien

23 21P CURIOUS BRIDE (IRE) 23 D 4 10 - 6bt D F O'Regan 123 b f Excelebration - Padma N Meade

ATR VERDICT: Houx Gris is the 'talking' horse in this race having been put up on almost every preview panel in the build up. He was beaten 20 lengths when third on his first start for Paul Nicholls at Chepstow earlier in the year, but has reportedly come on plenty since then and been saved for this contest ever since. Saint Sam finished second behind Quilixios in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown last month, though his prestigious handler doesn't have a great record in this race and the third from that contest, BUSSELTON, might just be open to greater improvement receiving 4lb from the Willie Mullins-trained runner now in handicap company. The selection was also second on Irish debut behind Zanahiyr, who is joint-favourite for the Triumph Hurdle later in the week, and could pay the form a handsome compliment wearing cheekpieces for the first time. The Mastercraftsman gelding looks sure to be suited by this test of stamina, and a UK handicap mark of 135 looks more than fair on what will be just his fifth career start for Joseph O' Brien, who won this in 2019 with Band Of Outlaws.

Top Tip: BUSSELTON (6) Watch out for: SAINT SAM (3)

(R7) 16:50 CHELTENHAM, 3m 5f 201y Sam Vestey National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5YO plus) No Silk Form Horse Details Age/Wt Jockey/Trainer OR 1 4-044P5 EDEN DU HOUX (FR) 17 7 11 - 6 David Noonan 125 b g Irish Wells - Maralypha D Pipe

2 110-512 ESCARIA TEN (FR) 44 7 11 - 6 Adrian Heskin 147 b g Maresca Sorrento - Spartes Eria Mrs D Foster

3 22-1111 GALVIN (IRE) 144 C 7 11 - 6 J W Kennedy 152 b g Gold Well - Burren Moonshine I R Ferguson

4 6-3243R LITHIC (IRE) 28 10 11 - 6v Jonjo O'Neill Jr. 125 b g Westerner - Acoola Jonjo O'Neill

5 2/12- LORD ROYAL (FR) 46 6 11 - 6t P Townend 148 F52 gr g Lord Du Sud - Tinoroyale W P Mullins

6 5P39U1 MACGILONEY (IRE) 17 8 11 - 6 S W Flanagan 131 b g Milan - Mrs Kennedy Denis Hogan

7 P4-2522 NESTOR PARK (FR) 40 8 11 - 6p Luca Morgan 136 b g Walk In The Park - Cila Ben Pauling

8 131/211 NEXT DESTINATION (IRE) 59 9 11 - 6 H Cobden 153 b g Dubai Destination - Liss Alainn P F Nicholls

9 444-314 OFALLTHEGINJOINTS (IRE) 94 BF 7 11 - 6t1 R M Power 143 b g Stowaway - Dinos Luso C L Tizzard

10 P33-111 REMASTERED 24 8 11 - 6t T Scudamore 146 ch g Network - Cathodine Cayras D Pipe

11 11112P SOLDIER OF LOVE 121 8 11 - 6tp Bryony Frost 144 b g Yeats - Monsignorita P F Nicholls

12 0-132P0 THE MIGHTY DON (IRE) 33 C 9 11 - 6 J M Davies 140 ch g Shantou - Flying Answer N J Gifford

13 92-3212 SNOW LEOPARDESS 80 BF 9 10 - 13 Aidan Coleman 138 gr m Martaline - Queen Soraya C E Longsdon ATR VERDICT: This has been the plan for Galvin ever since he brought up a four-timer here over three miles in October and the seven-year-old, who is unbeaten since finishing second to Imperial Aura in the novice handicap at this meeting last year, looks to hold a leading chance. Soldier Of Love was second in that course clash in the autumn and conditions make him interesting. However, preference is for stablemate NEXT DESTINATION, who has been rerouted to this instead of the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase on Wednesday. He has quietly gone about his business, picking up a pair of Grade 2 chases since switching to fences and the Grade 1-winning hurdler has hit the frame on both occasions he has appeared at this meeting. Escaria Ten was second in a Naas Grade 3 in January and is likely to be suited by the step up in trip, while fellow Irish raider Lord Royal also appeals hailing from Willie Mullins' powerful yard. Reynoldstown winner Remastered and the gutsy mare Snow Leopardess are others to consider in what is typically a gruelling event.

Top Tip: NEXT DESTINATION (8) Watch out for: GALVIN (3)