Cheltenham Festival 2023: Expert Picks For Day One & 10 Horses To Bet On

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, attracting millions of fans and bettors alike. The four-day meeting, which takes place in late March, is a showcase for the best of jump racing, featuring some of the most talented horses and jockeys in the sport. With a rich history dating back to 1860, the Cheltenham Festival has become a must-attend event for anyone interested in horse racing.

As the biggest meeting of the National Hunt season, the Cheltenham Festival offers a unique opportunity for punters to get ahead of the competition and win big. With a range of exciting races, including the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Gold Cup, there's something for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned punter or just starting to get into horse racing, the Cheltenham Festival is an event not to be missed.

Day One Preview

The first day of the Cheltenham Festival is always one of the most exciting, with a packed schedule of races that set the tone for the rest of the meeting. This year's card promises to be no exception, with a number of top-class races that are sure to get the crowd on their feet.

One of the most highly anticipated races on day one is the Stayer's Hurdle, a 3m2f race that attracts some of the best stayer hurdlers in the country. The horse to watch in this race is likely to be Gordon Elliott's Yogi, who has been in fine form all season and has a real chance of landing the title.

Another key race on day one is the Download App's Family Handicap Hurdle, a 2m4f contest that is likely to be a real battle for the best of the rest. This race is always a closely contested affair, with a number of horses capable of pulling off an upset.

Top 5 Horses To Bet On For Day One

• Yogi (Gordon Elliott): The horse to beat in the Stayer's Hurdle, Yogi has been in excellent form all season and has the class and experience to take this prize.
• Britts Runner (Fergal O'Brien): A highly talented young horse, Britts Runner has already made a big impact on the jumping scene and has a real chance of landing the Family Handicap Hurdle.
• Geos (Marc Van Gestel): A multiple grade one winner, Geos is a force to be reckoned with on the jumps and has a strong chance of taking out the Stayer's Hurdle.
• Down Royal (Rebecca O'Connor): A talented young mare, Down Royal has been in excellent form all season and has a real chance of landing the Family Handicap Hurdle.
• Movesto (Henry De Bromhead): A highly talented young horse, Movesto has already made a big impact on the jumping scene and has a real chance of taking out the Stayer's Hurdle.

The Big Three: Who Will Win?

The Champion Hurdle is always one of the most closely contested races at the Cheltenham Festival, with a number of top-class horses competing for the title. This year's field is particularly strong, with horses like Nichkhun Hripanukul and Killers Knockout all capable of landing the prize.

Key Statistic To Consider

• Nichkhun Hripanukul has won four of his last five starts over hurdles, a remarkable record that suggests he is in top form.
• Killers Knockout has been on the up, winning his last two starts by a total of 21 lengths and looks like a real threat to the champion.
• 25% of past winners of the Champion Hurdle have come from outside the top two in the market, making it a potentially profitable pun.

Tips From The Experts

We spoke to a number of top punting experts to get their tips for day one of the Cheltenham Festival. Here's what they had to say:

• "I think Yogis's and Geos's are the two horses to beat in the Stayer's Hurdle. Both horses have the class and experience to take this prize, but I think Geos's is the value bet."
• "I'm looking for a horse to take out the Family Handicap Hurdle at around 10/1 or bigger. Down Royal and Britts Runner are both good bets in this market."
• "The Champion Hurdle is always a tough one to call, but I think Nichkhun Hripanukul has the best chance of winning. He's been on the up all season and looks like a real threat to the champion."

The Festival Favorites

• 3/1: Yogi (Gordon Elliott)
• 7/2: Geos (Marc Van Gestel)
• 8/1: Down Royal (Rebecca O'Connor)
• 10/1: Britts Runner (Fergal O'Brien)
• 12/1: Killers Knockout (Rebecca O'Connor)

Conclusion

The first day of the Cheltenham Festival is always an exciting one, with a packed schedule of races that promise to deliver some thrilling action. With a number of top-class horses competing for the prize, there's something for everyone at this year's meeting. Whether you're a seasoned punter or just starting to get into horse racing, the Cheltenham Festival is an event not to be missed.

By considering the key statistics, expert tips, and the big three horses to