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Here is our preview of all races on Day 1 at Cheltenham with our tips in capital letters.
A cracking renewal to get the 2013 Festival under way and the one who makes most appeal is Willie Mullins' unbeaten gelding UN ATOUT. The five-year-old son of Robin Des Champs went into a lot of notebooks when winning his sole bumper appearance by 24 lengths at Naas last season and both hurdle victories this term have been equally impressive. He looks the type who will stay further, which could be crucial with soft ground forecast this time around, and the way respected connections speak about him gives the impression they think he is the real deal. My Tent Or Yours was hugely impressive when winning the Betfair Hurdle in a hack canter at Newbury and he commands great respect. Tony McCoy's mount jumps, travels and acts on testing ground, but there are questions over how he will react to this undulating track and what will be found when push comes to shove. Jezki has arguably had the best preparation, winning each of his four hurdle starts this term, and should give a good account, while last season's Champion Bumper scorer Champagne Fever, the choice of Ruby Walsh, is likely to go hard from the front and will be staying on when others have cried enough.
A small but select field sees this year's renewal centre around the eagerly-anticipated clash between SIMONSIG and Overturn, with many observers predicting a titanic battle up the hill as the McCain-trained front-runner tries to fend off the likely challenge of his grey rival. Overturn has been a marvellous servant to connections, winning a Chester Cup among other top races on the Flat, finishing second in last season's Champion Hurdle and coming here bidding to maintain an unbeaten record over fences. His jumping over the larger obstacles has been efficient but there is no doubt that this is his biggest test so far and while his bold style is to be admired, it is easy to see this playing into the hands of Nicky Henderson's charge. He has been breathtaking in his two starts over fences to date and just loves to come off a strong pace, as demonstrated when running out an impressive winner of last season's Neptune. Expect Geraghty to play his hand late and one fears Overturn could be a sitting duck, with Arvika Ligeonniere's presence in the field only complicating matters as he might not have things his own way out in front. The latter has impressed himself since switching to chasing but he lacks the star quality of the aforementioned pair, something that can also be said of Tap Night, although the Ayr winner has the scope to progress further over fences and is a very smart performer in his own right.
Fruity O'Rooney, Our Mick and The Package were second, third and fourth respectively in this 12 months ago and, along with Quantitativeeasing (eighth), they return for another tilt at this prize. The former is 1lb lower this year and had a few of these behind when chasing home Katenko over shorter here in January, but Our Mick was running a big race when unseating three out and may have finished ahead of Gary Moore's inmate. Both should go close, but The Package has paid the price for winning a Listed event in November and has no room for error at the weights. The progressive Loch Ba is an interesting runner for Mick Channon but it could pay to side with another improver in the shape of MONKERTY TUNKERTY. Although a 10-year-old, he is lightly raced and the manner of his taking victory over 3m Doncaster last month suggested there could be plenty more to come. He's still learning and a 5lb rise for that win leaves him still looking very well treated off a mark of 134.
Preview to follow...
Arabella Boy comes into this on the back of a win in a Punchestown cross-country contest last month, with Big Shu and Uncle Junior behind and Sizing Australia beaten when falling, and he is sure to prove popular. Uncle Junior has won twice over this course, including earlier this season, and he can go well despite conceding weight all round. Outlaw Pete won here in December and has to be on the shortlist, along with Any Currency. The French raider, Sacree Tiepy, could be anything but it might be worth taking a chance on SADDLERS STORM. He has some very respectable form over regulation fences and his spin over hurdles last week will have blown away the cobwebs. Having the assistance of Paul Carberry is also a big positive.
A race that revolves around Willie Mullins' outstanding mare QUEVEGA, who bids to land the mares' hurdle for the fifth year in succession. A fragile sort that typically comes here fresh, she pleased her handler in a workout at Leopardstown earlier in the month and, from a form perspective, she cannot be opposed. Those put off by backing the favourite at odds-on could do worse than side with Une Artiste in the 'without the favourite' market. Nicky Henderson's representative landed last year's Fred Winter and has accounted for a number of today's rivals, most notably Alasi, Kentford Grey Lady and She Ranks Me, in landing Listed prizes at Wetherby and Sandown. Slow ground is ideal and she's considered the main danger, though a market move for Swing Bowler may ensue should My Tent Or Yours, her last-time-out Newbury conqueror, live up to expectations and justify favouritism in today's curtain-raiser.
Colour Squadron is sure to prove popular given his connections and many will be of the view that he has been lined up for this. A mark of 139 might be very fair and he can go well but CARLITO BRIGANTE looks potentially very well treated off 137. He was rated 147 when winning a novice chase over 2m4f here in October and he won the Coral Cup off 142 in 2011. Shangani has been raised 10lb for his Catterick success last month and this is much tougher, but he is on an upward curve. He is considered, along with Venetia Williams' other representative, Howard's Legacy. The two Charlie Longsdon-trained contenders, Vulcanite and Hazy Tom, also make the shortlist.
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