Seven exhilarating races will take place on day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival and our in-house tipster Steve Chambers is here with his Cheltenham Day 1 Tips for Tuesday 11th March. Check out his best bets for the opening day, which includes an eye-catching 40/1 selection in the Ultima Handicap Chase…
2:40pm Cheltenham – Ultima Handicap Chase
One of the toughest betting conundrums of the entire week the Ultima Handicap Chase will see a bumper field head to the 3m 1f start and the likes of The Changing Man, Broadway Boy and Crebilly will prove popular in the betting. However, in such a competitive race there could be some notable value further down the list of runners and the one that catches the eye is GRANDEUR D’AME for Alan King and Tom Cannon. The nine-year-old was last seen putting up a career best when second in a decent Cheltenham handicap over two-and-a-half miles and the step up in trip here could bring on more improvement.
He’s been given a 3lbs rise for that run back on Trials Day in January, so a mark of 139 will be a career best to contend with, but with some decent form around the undulations of Prestbury Park he could be more than capable of grabbing a place. With Sky Bet offering seven places in the each-way market for this contest then the big odds available is worth snapping up.
Join our 20k+ subscribers to receive the latest horse racing news, offers, and expert tips directly in your inbox — 100% free!
4:40pm Cheltenham – Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Joseph O’Brien has a sensational record in this race having saddled Band Of Outlaws to victory in 2019 and Lark In The Morning to success in this race last year, and he will saddle another leading contender in the 2025 renewal in the shape of PUTURHANDSTOGETHER, who can claim victory in the penultimate race on day one of the Cheltenham Festival. A smart performer on the level, he won a Cork maiden hurdle on his second start over timber, but failed to follow that up when second at Fairyhouse at the start of February.
Second in heavy going behind Collaborative, the JP McManus-owned four-year-old could be one that benefits from the quicker ground at Cheltenham on Tuesday and off a mark of 130 looks attractively handicapped to run a huge race in what is another intriguing betting heat.
5:20pm Cheltenham – Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase
Gordon Elliott’s WILL DO still remains winless over fences, but the eight-year-old has been a real model of consistency finishing in the top three in four of six starts over the larger obstacles. Fifth in the hugely competitive Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas, the Cullentra House inmate was then a decent sixth in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park, before he was an excellent second at Punchestown on his last outing.
He has been gradually moving up the handicap, so he will have to complete a career best to play a starring role here, but with stamina assured he’s certainly one of the travelling Irish raider that has to come into calculations.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.