Cheltenham Festival Day 1 Tips for the Arkle Trophy

Cheltenham Festival betting tips for the Arkle Trophy on day 1. Altior is the banker of the meeting for most, so we’ve found an each-way Cheltenham tip at 20/1.

Altior has more than likely got the Arkle in the bag, as long as he gets around safely then connections will be lifting the trophy. Comparisons have already been made to the admirable Sprinter Sacre, which is some statement and he may well prove to be as good as or even better than the great duel Champion Chaser. Nicky Henderson has stated that there is very little chance of Altior taking on Douvan in this year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, no matter how much we want to see it. Therefore, we might see a small field for the Arkle with trainers and owners running scared, so it might pay to find an early each way alternative using the benefits of non-runner no bet.

 

Cheltenham Festival Tips – Arkle

Rich Ricci has been incredibly unfortunate so far this campaign, losing multiple Cheltenham hopefuls in varying circumstances. Min was second behind Altior in last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and was looking to be the only realistic danger this season before sustaining an injury and being ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival. Ricci still has an abundance of quality horses and it will be unlikely if he were to have no runner in this race. Consequently, Royal Caviar could be a strong looking ante-post bet. He boasts strong hurdle form behind Sutton Place and was looking very much like the winner of the Irish Arkle before falling at the final flight. Throughout that race his jumping was very efficient, like it was on his chase debut where he ran out a very comfortable winner. If he goes for the race he certainly won’t be anywhere near as big as his current price of 20/1, so this looks like excellent value for a race which could potentially have very few runners.

Charbel was behind the favourite on his last outing at Sandown but trainer Kim Bailey is still undecided on his festival target as of yet. Uttoxeter was the host of his winning debut over fences where he conquered subsequent Grade 1 victor Top Notch. Solid form claims would put him right in the mix, but with doubts over where he will line up and having already been behind Altior twice it looks better to chance more of an unknown quantity.

Winner of last season’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle Identity Thief certainly has the ability to potentially give the market leader a race. He came to grief at the first fence in the Irish Arkle and was pulled up at Leopardstown before that, but if he is at his best on March 14th then he is certainly one who will put up a good display.

Lastly, I think Forest Bihan is worth a mention in our Cheltenham day 1 tips for the Arkle as he could be a lively outsider for Brian Ellison. Constantly on an upward curve this campaign he won a Grade 2 at Doncaster last time out beating some useful rivals. Winning three of his four chase starts, with a second behind the smart Waiting Patiently, he could sneak in under the raider and outrun his odds.

 

Cheltenham Day 1 Tips

Arkle Trophy – Royal Caviar (each-way) – 20/1 at Sky Bet.

 

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