Cheltenham tips: Majborough can land Arkle Chase on day one

Day One of the Cheltenham festival is upon us in one of the world's most natural sporting amphitheatres.

The opening day will be tinged with a huge degree of raw emotion as Cheltenham honours the late and much lamented Lombardstown jockey Michael O'Sullivan. 

A crowd in excess of 60,000 is expected this afternoon for what connoisseurs rightly regard as the best days racing of the week. 

In terms of depth and quality this is Super Tuesday. 

Fermoy and Lombardstown will come to a standstill prior to the first race. 

Poignant memories will be evoked of Marine Nationale in 2023 for the O’Sullivan family. 

While the McCarthy clan will look to the supremely talented if somewhat buzzy Kopek Des Bordes to deliver on the biggest stage of all.

Punters will be cognisant of the need to get off to a good start. 

Majborough is undoubtedly the days banker to strike in the Arkle Challenge Trophy. 

He was an impressive winner of the Triumph Hurdle last year and has transitioned seamlessly to the chasing ranks. 

He is unbeaten over fences and was a facile winner on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse. 

He has been the odds-on favourite since Sir Gino was ruled out. He produced a scintillating performance in the Irish Arkle with a nine-length victory. 

Eleven of the last twelve winners had won on their previous start before travelling to the Cotswolds. 

Majborough sets the clear standard in what is a small, but select field. 

If lumping on short-priced favourites holds no fears, you will be keen to get stuck into the perceived banker of the entire meeting. 

This is a horse who could come back and win the next two renewals of the Champion Chase.

The opening Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novice Hurdle has a huge Cork connection with Kopek Des Bordes and Salvator Mundi in Cork ownership. Charlie McCarthy has huge claims with Kopek Des Bordes, provided he handles the preliminaries. 

He produced a sensational performance at the DRF despite racing freely for much of that contest. 

The manner in which he stretched clear drew comparisons with the brilliant but ill-fated Golden Cygnet. 

This is undoubtedly the best renewal of the race for many years. Romeo Coolio was impressive at Christmas and is a rock-solid alternative. Salvator Mundi isn't straightforward but has a decent turn of foot William Munny and Workahead are key players to add to a glittering cast in a race with enormous depth.

The Champion Hurdle is potentially the best race of the entire meeting. 

The clash of the unbeaten but fragile Constitution Hill with the brilliant mare Brighterdaysahead ensures a race for the ages. 

The reigning Champion State Man is somewhat the forgotten horse. Provided Constitution Hill doesn't afford the mare and her pacemaker too much latitude I'd expect his high cruising speed to tow him into the race at the business end to maintain his unbeaten record. 

The big question will be what he finds off the bridle should the mare replicates her scintillating Leopardstown performance.

The decision to run Lossiemouth in the Mares hurdle has been divisive and controversial.

She bypasses the Champion Hurdle for the perceived easier option. 

On ratings she is a certainty but that heavy fall at the DRF slightly tempers my enthusiasm to push all the chips in. 

But even at 90% she should retain her crown.

SELECTIONS:

1.20pm: Kopek Des Bordes (Romeo Coolio EW) 

2pm: Majborough (Nap) 

3.20pm: Lossiemouth 

4pm: Constitution Hill