Day one of the Cheltenham Festival kicks off on Tuesday and I'm going to have a look through each race on every day and try and work out where the winners might come from.
This year's Cheltenham Festival will be like no other without the crowds, but we still have plenty of mouth-watering action on day one to keep us entertained for the biggest week of jumps racing of the year.
The first race is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the favourite for it is the Willie Mullins trained Appreciate It who has been mightily impressive over the smaller obstacles so far with an 100% record.
He ran a cracker in the bumper here last year, just getting beat in the final furlong by his stable mate Ferny Hollow but he was sent off 15/8 favourite that day, so it was clear that he was the better thought of horse out of the two.
Metier leads the English charge in the race for trainer Harry Fry and he also comes into the race with a perfect 3 from 3 record, meaning someone's unbeaten hurdles record is going to have to go.
I think the winner here though could go to the Irish as Appreciate It has looked flawless in his runs to date.
He brushed a side another runner in the race in Ballyadam at Leopardstown in February and I think he will do the same here again, albeit Metier will chase him home on this occasion.
Race two might lack runners but it is certainly going to be an interesting duel between another two unbeaten horses over fences in Shishkin and Allmankind.
Shishkin is a superb horse and has looked every bit a chaser since his first jump over a fence this season and it's going to take something special to beat him.
However I think Allmankind is that special horse who could do it and with there now being no Energumene to challenge him for the lead, I think he will get out and make all.
His jumping was patchy at Warwick but his trainer Dan Skelton put that down to the ground that day and he's proven time and time again under confident rides from Harry Skelton, if you let him get on with it then he's hard to peg back.
Nicky Henderson has an excellent record in the Arkle with the last time there was only six runners in this race he won it with Sprinter Sacre, and we all know how good of a horse he was.
Shishkin is a special horse but I think Allmankind will push him all the way here and come out on top.
The third race is the Ultima Handicap Chase and it's a race where you can make a case for most of the runners.
Happygolucky goes for the Bass-Bailey partnership and has been solid over fences so far, winning two of his three starts.
Aye Right has been another solid performer this season for trainer Harriet Graham and with Richard Johnson back on board the horse is likely to be in the mix once again.
Milan Native won the Kim Muir here last year but I think he will find a horse that seems to be well handicapped here judged on his efforts to date.
One for the Team has a low weight of 10st 8lbs and Tom Scudamore has had another good season and this horse has put in some decent efforts in higher graded races this season.
He finds himself in Grade 3 company here and I think he has snuck in under the radar and should give a bold showing, where I would be disappointed if he wasn't to get placed at least.
Race four is the big one, the Unibet Champion Hurdle and this is yet another competitive heat with some quality horses involved.
Epatante was beaten comfortably around Kempton at Christmas by the grey Silver Streak who's regular pilot Adam Wedge is missing the Festival through injury, but she seemed to have issues that day and her run before that in the Fighting Fifth up at Newcastle was impressive to say the least.
She is sure to give it a go in defending her crown, but I think Honeysuckle is the champion in waiting.
She's 10 from 10 over hurdles and always looks comfortable during her races, and I just think she will have to much for Epatante even if Henderson's horse is back to her best.
Goshen is an interesting runner for the Moore's and he's looking to put his woes of the Triumph behind him here to announce himself as the new champion.
He's a classy individual who's took time to bounce back to his best after that agonising fall here last year but he was on song in the Kingwell at Wincanton in February and a repeat would see him in the mix.
For me though, I think it will be Honeysuckle who will come out on top here, but watch out for Silver Streak who always runs well no matter what he's up against and should do the same here again.
The Mares' Hurdle comes next on day one, and I think Roksana will definitely be placed here.
She won the race back in 2019 in fortunate circumstances when Benie Des Dieux fell at the final flight when in front, but she's a brilliant horse by her own rights and has proven that this season when appearing in better form than ever.
The drop back in trip isn't a worry, and despite Concertista being a strong favourite I think she will definitely give her a run for her money in what could end up being a duel between the two.
The Boodles (Fred Winter), is up next, and this contest is as wide open as they come.
So many chances here, so instead of trailing through each one, I think Nassalam is a great each-way shout for the Moore's after he finished ahead of Houx Gris at Chepstow in January and I think he will give his running again here in much deeper waters.
The final race of the day brings to a close a brilliant first day of racing and this is yet another open contest.
Galvin is all class though and I would be surprised if he was beaten in the last here, Remastered could run a big race for David Pipe but I'd like to think the favourite would have too much for them here.
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