Sporting Ferret Tips: Day one Cheltenham Festival

The Sporting ferret team have selected their two best tips for day one of the Cheltenham Festival.

1. 4.10pm: 2m4f Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)

TIP – Benie Des Dieux, Honeysuckle Reverse Forecast.

The Mares’ Hurdle probably boast the most exciting challenge of the day with Benie Des Dieux coming up against Honeysuckle in is what expected to be a cracking race. The two mares are see as lightyears ahead of the rest of the field.

Honeysuckle comes into the race unbeaten 7 from 7 under rules and is racing at her preferred distance of 2m4f. Rachel Blackmore takes up the ride, the jockey commanding the mare to victory in all of her rides and so will get the best possible run out of the 6 year old. The race comes as Honeysuckle’s first at Cheltenham and comes in as second favourite behind Benie Des Dieux at odds of 5/2.

Benie Des Dieux knows this race all too well, the 9 year old winning the Mares’ Hurdle in 2018 and unfortunately falling at the last hurdle last year when she was set to win. The French mare sees herself as odds on favourite to get the job done at odds of 4/7. Benie Des Dieux knows the race inside out and is ridden by jockey Paul Townend who has won 5 from 5 on the mare.

We see these two superb mares miles ahead the rest of the field and will battle it out until the end. Therefore our tip comes as a Benie Des Dieux and Honeysuckle reverse forecast (eg, 1st Benie Des Dieux, 2nd Honeysuckle or vice versa.)

2. 2.10pm: 2m Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5yo+)

Tip – Notebook to win.

Notebook comes in as the one to beat in The Arkle and warrants major respect. Notebook comes in as favourite in the race with odds of 10/3 and has recently beaten the most dangerous challengers in the field; second favourite Fakir D’oudairies (4/1) and each way contender Cashback (7/1.)

The Arkle has provided six winning favourites in the last eight years and so the questions begs can the favourite do it again this year. Jockey Rachel Blackmore rides Notebook, the jockey commanding the gelding to victory in 4 from the last 4 races including two Grade 1 races; the Irish Arkle and the Racing Post Novice Chase.

Notebook comes unbeaten over fences however he faces his biggest task yet in The Arkle. However we see the gelding having the ability to do enough and get over the line first ahead of the field.