Day one is here, and we are all set and ready to go, you want my predictions then don't you? Well let's not mess around, here you go...
Race one - 13:30pm Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle Grade 1 2m (9 runners)
We kick off the day with a very exciting renewal of the Supreme, where it's a case of which Nicky Henderson runner is better than the other, and does Willie Mullins nick it with his main hope in the race?
Constitution Hill has been mightily impressive in both of his demolition jobs so far, winning the Grade 1 Tolworth at Sandown last time on Heavy ground, and doing it in a very fast time.
He has no negatives against him at all, and from what I've seen from this Irish point recruit, we're going to find out where he stands after this race.
Willie Mullins runs Dysart Dynamo in the race, and this free going sort made it two from two over hurdles last time out in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer at Punchestown.
Quite potentially, he could set the pace up for some of the other fancied runners, but he's tough and looks a serious contender after his recent performance, my only negative might be that he gets taken on for that lead.
My selection though here is Jonbon, who did nothing flashy last time in the Grade 2 at Haydock, but he showed something that day that none of the other two has had to show just yet, fight.
This brother to Douvan looked in serious trouble on the turn in, and he didn't fully get the message until going down to the last, but he dug deep and stayed on very well up the Haydock straight, the only thing he needs to do really is settle.
Shallwehaveonemore will take on Dysart Dynamo for the lead if he can't settle again, and they'll make sure the pace is an honest enough one to aim at, and if Coleman can switch him off and save fuel on the way round, I think you'll find he could be very hard to stop coming up that hill.
Race two - 14:10pm Arkle Novices' Chase Grade 1 1m 7f (11 runners)
A hard act to follow after the first race I think, but this Arkle definitely has potential to be a very good one indeed.
Shishkin was superb in the race last year, and we all know what he can do, so there's definitely a few in here who could follow that route of his.
Edwardstone for Tom Cannon and Alan King is four from five over fences this season, falling on his first start, but his Grade 1 win in the Henry VIII at Sandown was a good effort considering the pace was blistering and it showed he is versatile with whatever pace he could get on the day.
Blue Lord is going to be my pick though at 9/2, he's three from three over fences, beating rival in this race Riviere D'etel by 1/2 length in a Grade 1 Leopardstown, and proved just how tough he can be that day.
Paul Townend and Willie Mullins might win the first, and have a really good chance of making it a quickfire double on day one of the festival.
I think that the form from that race will continue here, but this time he'll be beating Edwardstone into 2nd place, with Saint Sam an interesting each way contender at 9/1.
Race three - 14:50pm Ultima Handicap Chase Grade 3 3m 1f (24 runners)
The first handicap of the festival here, and I kept these simple last year because there is just so many runners, and I'll be doing the same here.
My each way pick in the race has to be Frodon, who always runs his heart out from the front no matter what, and he's off a mark of 164 here which means the 10-year-old has to carry 11st 12, but he won off this mark in October 2020 and at 16/1 there's definite value in his price here.
The selection though comes from the other end of the weights in Our Power, who was very unlucky over three miles at Kempton last time.
He stayed on very strongly that day, which is what's needed here, and off 9st 12 for the jockey of the season contender Charlie Deutsch and trainer Sam Thomas, I think at 14/1 he can be backed each way but should go very close if on song.
Race four - 15:30pm Champion Hurdle Grade 1 2m (10 runners)
Honeysuckle wins this, it's that simple.
She is the banker on day one for me, because her 14 wins in a row is more than impressive isn't it?
Available at 4/6, people can possess the opinion that she hasn't really beaten anything yet all they want, but that's definitely not the case for me.
This eight-year-old is so classy, and has such a good partnership with Rachel Blackmore that I have no reason to suspect that this is going to be win number 15 in a row, unless something bizarre happens, but this is racing still.
Appreciate It for Townend and Mullins is the main danger, but he's been off the track for a year, and had his chasing campaign suspended due to injury.
He was very good in the Supreme last year to win by 24 lengths, and Mullins will of course have him ready for this, it's just he's very unknown still, and I'd like to stick with the mare who's been there and done it time and time again in her career so.
Just don't be surprised still if he turns up and wins though.
Race five - 16:10pm Mares' Hurdle Grade 1 2m 3f (12 runners)
Telmesomethinggirl gave weight away to Heaven Help Us last time out, when finishing third by 1 1/4 lengths, and the 2021 Dawn Run winner could provide Blackmore and De Bromhead with a quick double as well.
I don't think that's the case though, because I'm going to side with Queens Brook, 4/1, for Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott, because his defeat to rival Burning Victory by 1/2 lengths last time out is better form in my eyes.
The seven-year-old saw off the now useful chaser Ciel De Neige earlier in the season, that rival is now three from three over fences and is rated 152 which suggests that he should've improved throughout the season and be ready to go and run well here.
The Mullins pair Stormy Ireland and 2021 Coral Cup winner Heaven Help Us are E/W shouts, but I think it's another race where it's between the top two in the market possibly.
Race six - 16:50pm Boodles Handicap Hurdle Grade 3 2m (22 runners)
A handicap race again, or should I say the Willie Mullins has a very well treated looking favourite who could bolt up here race? Long title I know, think we'll just stick with the Boodles...
Anyways, Gaelic Warrior is only a four-year-old and has come over from France to run for Mullins and Townend in the famous Ricci colours.
He's favourite at 5/2, but off a mark of 129 which looks as though he is well in at the weights, who could win this potentially with a bit in hand still.
Connections have saved him for this race and he's my selection based on the fact he's not going to be too far away at the finish, and will get placed or should do, at a bare minimum.
My each way shout is the Jonjo O'Neill trained Petit Tonnerre who runs off top weight 11st 10, but is three from three over hurdles so far, and looked as though he still has plenty to give and learn on the track, and at 28/1 he could run a nice race here.
Race seven - 17:30pm National Hunt Challenge Cup Grade 2 3m 5f (6 runners)
Another strong fancy of mine runs in this race here, and I find it hard to seeing him get beat as well.
Run Wild Fred won the Troytown Chase after making all off a mark of 145, and his second to Fury Road in a Grade 1 last time out is solid form, and at 7/4 he is very solid in the betting.
He beat rival Vanillier by 10 lengths in that Grade 1 and his main other rival Stattler did beat him Vanillier 18 lengths in a Grade 3, although there was an 8lbs difference between the two, which suggests that form looks quite similar on paper.
I think Jamie Codd will put Run Wild Fred out in front, and not see another rival, or hopefully he won't, and he's my final pick for day one.
As always, these are just my opinions, so if none of them win don't blame me!
Sit back and enjoy what promises to be another scintillating festival and let's hope all runners and riders come back safe and sound.
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