Cheltenham is already alive with the hum of final preparations, the course looks in top nick, the ground is currently Good to Soft on both the new and old courses, and the forecast rain hasn’t yet arrived. Let battle commence!

Tuesday’s tips:

1.30pm – williamhill.com Supreme Novices’ Hurdle - Take a bit of the remaining 6/1 each way with SportingBet about David Pipe’s Torphichen winning the opening race of the Festival.

He was in a class of his own on his latest appearance at Sandown, the form of which has worked out really well.

Lob into the equation his handy 8lb age allowance and you have a decent argument for an investment. I know Pipe is keen on his chances, and don’t forget heavily backed favourite Cousin Vinny endured a rough ferry crossing from Ireland and didn’t eat up when he arrived.

Latest Supreme Novices Hurlde Odds

2.05pm – Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase – Long time favourite Tatenen looks to be the one to take a decidedly average looking renewal of this contest. He’ll appreciate a strong gallop, the lack of which was his undoing when beaten by Follow The Plan at Leopardstown at Christmas time.

He looked excellent when winning here at the Open meeting in November, and has the gears to take this for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh. The 4/1 with bet365 looks a fair reflection of his chances.

Compare the Latest Arkle Chase Odds

2.40 – William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase – Top weight Star De Mohaison can stamp his class on this race and defy top weight.

The 2006 Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner hasn’t seen much racing since his Festival triumph, restricted by chronic tendon troubles.

However, with those injury worries now firmly in the past the eight year old, who ran his best race for a long time when a narrow second here under a big weight in a competitive December handicap, can make up for lost time.

It was touch and go whether connections launched him into a Gold Cup bid such is the high regard with which he is held, and at 10/1 each way with Boylesports he’s going to be very hard to keep out of the frame.

William Hill Handicap Trophy Odds

3.20 – Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle – With the rain forecast to arrive later this evening and 22 rivals to contend with I’ll happily take a watching brief where hot favourite Binocular is concerned.

Instead sniff out a bit of value and have a look at Ashkazar, currently a whopping 22/1 with VCbet, and last year’s winner Katchit, currently 14/1 (Champion Hurdle Odds Comparison).

Ashkazar ran a cracking trial in the Kingwell and is far too big at his inflated price, while Katchit seems to lit up at the sight of Cheltenham and could be a different horse on Tuesday afternoon.

Both should be backed each way with realistic chances of making the frame, and don’t forget bet365 are paying four places on the race.

4.00 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Handicap) – The quandry of which Enda Bolger horse to back is a teaser for fans of the Cross Country race, but I’m really keen on the idea of Garde Champetre following up last year’s runaway success.

While this time around he does face the imposte of top weight it didn’t prevent Spot Thedifference from winning this contest in 2005, and with Nina Carberry doing the steering I fancy him to fend off stablemate L’Ami. Get involved at 4/1 with Betfred or Victor Chandler.

Cross Country Hurdle Odds

4.40 – David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle - A race I’m thoroughly looking forward to! All the money in recent days has been for Willie Mullins’ Quevega, seemingly based upon one placed run in a Grade 1 hurdle in France on atrocious ground behind stablemate Hurricane Fly.

She won well enough last time out at Punchestown but didn’t beat much, and she runs into a streetwise opponent in the shape of Lucy Wadham’s United here.

United has some cracking form in the book: a former winner of Punchestown’s Champion Four Year Old hurdle, she also made the frame in the World Hurdle plus the Irish equivalent back in 2007, and has returned from a long absence looking as good as ever with wins at Haydock and Ascot.

The Ascot performance was only workmanlike, but she’ll appreciate a proper gallop and can reward her patient connections with victory on the big stage here.

Donald McCain’s decision to run Whiteoak in the Champion Hurdle has left the door ajar, and at 9/2 with Paddy Power United can take the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.
 

David Nicholson Mares Hurdle Odds 

Good luck on Day One!

Tom