Simon Holt has several eye-catching selections as he looks ahead to an exciting opening day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
Recommended bets
1pt win Fiddlerontheroof in 1.30 Cheltenham at 7/1
1pt win Fakir D'Oudairies in 2.10 Cheltenham at 9/2
1pt e.w. Atlanta Ablaze in 2.50 Cheltenham at 33/1
1pt e.w. Silver Streak in 3.30 Cheltenham at 25/1
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To find the winner of the opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is always a confidence-boosting start to a hugely competitive four days of racing, and I'm hoping that FIDDLERONTHEROOF can set us on the road to riches.
Colin Tizzard's imposing six-year-old has been really impressive in his last two starts in testing ground at Sandown, slamming the useful Irish mare Jeremy's Flame by a bludgeoning six lengths latterly in the Tolworth Hurdle, and seems to have progressed markedly since going under by three-quarters of a length to Edwardstone on a drier surface at Wincanton back in November.
The forecasted conditions look like being ideal for Fiddlerontheroof who will also not want for stamina in the closing stages having gone down by two lengths to the smart Thyme Hill over two miles and three furlongs at Chepstow in October.
And even his bumper form when trained in Ireland last year marks him down as a serious prospect as he beat The Big Getaway, a leading fancy later in the week, at Navan.
Abacadabras, fourth in the bumper last year and the winner of three of his four starts, and Asterion Forlonge, who put up a strong staying performance to win at Leopardstown in February, appear to be the main Irish hopes. The last named's trainer Willie Mullins has won four of the last seven runnings.
Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson's Shishkin has looked smart in winning at Newbury and Huntingdon but still looked a little inexperienced on the latter occasion. Stable companion Chantry House is a lovely prospect but needs to find a bit more improvement (which may well be forthcoming) on his bare form.
As everyone seems to be saying, this year's Unibet Champion Hurdle looks a below-par renewal, though ante-post favourite Epatante would take all the beating if reproducing her fluent win in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
However, there is a question mark against this speedy sort as she blew out disappointingly in the mares novices' hurdle here last year and, while no match for Epatante in the closing stages at Kempton, I fancy last year's third SILVER STREAK to again reward each-way interest.
This tremendously tough grey appeared to be ridden to get a place 12 months ago behind the ill-fated Espoir D'Allen but was still only a neck behind Melon who had been narrowly beaten by Buveur D'Air in the 2018 Champion.
Given a light campaign, Silver Streak bolted up at Kempton first time out and was then out of his ground before staying on powerfully behind Cornerstone Lad and Buveur D'Air in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. He was beaten by five lengths into second by Epatante back at Kempton (Ballyandy third).
Absent since, it looks like trainer Evan Williams has targeted this race much more seriously this time and, if Adam Wedge's mount can avoid his usual trademark jumping error, he has every chance at a big price.
Earlier, FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES has been my long-term fancy for the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy.
On the face of it, Joseph O'Brien's five-year-old is up against it with likely favourite Notebook who gave him 7lb and a one-and-a-half length beating at Leopardstown in December, but he was battling on well at the finish and looks the type for this test which will almost certainly be strongly run.
'Fakir's' great asset is his jumping which, at times, can be spectacular and his previous visits to Cheltenham have resulted in a wide margin victory plus a creditable fourth in last year's Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Finally, I can't resist having a pop at a big price in the Ultima Handicap Chase.
The ultra-tough Vinndication looks sure to carry top weight valiantly here, but most of his best form has come going right handed, and the Henry Daly-trained mare ATLANTA ABLAZE could be over-priced.
This Grand National entry is very useful when on-song as was the case when beating a promising rival at Market Rasen in November, and she was running a terrific race in the National Hunt Chase here last year until falling at the second last.
Atlanta Ablaze may well be one to catch fresh these days and, off the course since early December and reappearing after a wind operation, it won't be a surprise if she makes a bold bid at a big price for her in-form trainer.
Posted at 1500 GMT on 09/03/20
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