Most popular Cheltenham Festival day one tips from Tipstrr

Connections of Honeysuckle decided that the reigning two-time Champion Hurdle hero won't be lining up to defend her crown, perhaps having believed the rumours that Nico de Boinville could ride red-hot favourite Constitution Hill side-saddle and still steer him to victory!

1.30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Tahmuras has four straight wins under his belt, including the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices hurdle at Sandown in January, and under Harry Cobden he looks capable of progressing more and won't be out of his depth at this level.

2.10 Sporting Life Arkle Chase

An emphatic 10-length success at the Dublin Racing Festival has earned El Fabiolo the favourite tag, and he looks more than capable of earning the Mullins yard their fifth Arkle crown in nine renewals.

Saint Roi won a Grade 1 at Leopardstown on Boxing Day and despite parting company with jockey Mark Walsh on their only subsequent outing, he looks good each-way value thanks to a top-heavy betting market.

Top tip: El Fabiolo

Each-way popular punt: Saint Roi

2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase

The O'Neill yard has high hopes for the unexposed Monbeg Genius after he completed a hat-trick of chase successes at Chepstow last month, and it would be no surprise to see him in the mix coming up the final stretch.

The Big Breakaway was runner-up in the Welsh Grand National just after Christmas so stamina clearly won't be a problem for this eight-year-old, and the more give in the ground the better his chances of at least a frame finish.

Top tip: Monbeg Genius

Each-way popular punt: The Big Breakaway

3.30 Unibet Champion Hurdle

While the heavy odds-on price of Constitution Hill carries little value, such is the quality of this potential Cheltenham legend that there seems even less value backing against him, and he looks set for another impressive performance.

The short odds of the two favourites might increase the prices of the other five contenders, but the seven-strong field means that even a quality horse like Vauban will need Constitution Hill or State Man to falter badly if he is to make the two-horse frame.

Top tip: Constitution Hill

Each-way popular punt: Vauban

4.10 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle

All eyes will be on Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore as the double Champion Hurdle winner says farewell to Prestbury Park, but she carries good value that goes way beyond sentiment and should be there or thereabouts in this strong field.

It takes a brave person to underestimate the Mullins stable at Cheltenham, and Echoes In Rain could certainly be in contention after bouncing back from a fall at Fairyhouse in December to win impressively at Naas last time out.

Top tip: Honeysuckle

Each-way popular punt: Echoes In Rain

4.50 Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

A former winner on the flat, Perseus Way has looked equally at home over obstacles and has made the each-way frame in each of his five hurdling outings, four of them at graded level, converting two of them into stylish wins. 

Since converting from the flat to hurdles, Afadil enjoyed two successes before not enjoying his last outing after a short 13-day break, and it is perhaps only that performance that has enhanced his outsider price.

Top tip: Perseus Way

Each-way popular punt: Afadil

5.30 Wellchild National Hunt Novices' Chase

Gaillard Du Mesnil is very much the one to beat here after finishing third in both the Browns Advisory and the Irish Grand National last year, while his more recent form also suggests more success for the Mullins stable.

Runner-up in the Kim Muir here a year ago, Mister Coffey has rekindled that form in two outings this season and can be expected to put in another solid performance that should see him in contention running up Cheltenham's hill.

Top tip: Gaillard Du Mesnil

Each-way popular punt: Mister Coffey