Cheltenham preview: State Man and Lossiemouth can deliver for Paul Townend on day one
Lantry Lady and Rachael Blackmore win the Red Mills Trial Hurdle. Picture: Healy Racing.
THE opening day of the 2024 Cheltenham festival will be minus three of the marquee performers of the National Hunt game.
Constitution Hill and Marine Nationale were both ruled out last week and the aspiring superstar Ballyburn has been re-routed to Wednesday's opener.
Lisgoold jockey Paul Townend will carry a huge burden of expectation on the opening day. He partners two of the shortest-priced favourites of the week as punters look to start on the front foot.
The £465,750 Grade One Unibet Champion Hurdle is the featured race on day one.
In the absence of Constitution Hill this race is at the mercy of State Man, top-priced 2/5 to give Willie Mullins a fifth victory in the race.
State Man will face just seven rivals and will be joined by stable companion Zarak The Brave.
Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point is second favourite but my belief is he will find this trip too sharp.
The supplemented Betfair Hurdle winner Iberico Lord and Luccia represent Nicky Henderson whose yard has been under a cloud.
I can't see beyond State Man who is tactically and ground versatile. Townend is likely to be handy and kick for home off the last bend.
He produced an exceptional performance at Cheltenham as a novice when he skated up in the 2022 County Hurdle. He has a minimum of 10 pounds in hand of his rivals.
Lossiemouth is the second leg of the Mullins/Townend hotpot double on day one.
She is one of four Mullins contenders for the Mares’ Hurdle, with Ashroe Diamond, Echoes In Rain and Gala Marceau giving him a vice-like grip on the race.
Love Envoi, runner-up last year, will be partnered by Cork jockey Jonathan Burke.
She was nine and a half lengths behind Lossiemouth in January. Townend barely moved a muscle that day, easing clear up the hill.
The trip is unknown territory for the favourite, she can be quite free through her races.
Those close to the yard won't hear of defeat and all going well the Champion Hurdle next year will be on her radar.
There will be major East Cork interest in the Mares Hurdle. Kieran and Cathy Mariga's Coolmara Stables in Youghal are doubly represented.
Jack Kennedy rides Lantry Lady while Darragh O’Keeffe partners Hispanic Moon. They are trained by Henry De Bromhead and both come here on the back of Grade 3 victories.
They are highly progressive mares, who will love the ground. Both have each-way claims.
Lossiemouth sets a high standard and there will be long faces at Closutton if she fails to deliver.
Elsewhere the Supreme Novice Hurdle and the Arkle look extremely open.
The Arkle will be run at a breakneck pace. Matata, Gaelic Warrior and Found A Fifty are all acknowledged front runners.
If this race were run at a right-handed track Gaelic Warrior would be a short price.
Paul Townend, who rides Gaelic Warrior partners Tullyhill in the opening race.
Mystical Power and market mover Mistergif add fuel to a strong Mullins brigade here.
Firefox has valid claims for Gordon Elliott with Henry De Bromhead's Slade Steel completing a strong Irish contingent.
Jeriko Du Reponet is the main hope for the home team in the opening contest.
Firefox EW (Superme Novices Hurdle).
Gaelic Warrior (Arkle Novices Chase).
State Man (Champion Hurdle).
Lossiemouth (Mares Hurdle)
Corbetts Cross (NH Chase)
App?
