Cheltenham opens for 2009-2010

After yesterday´s good N,H. card at Punchestown, now the British jumps scene also comes to life with the first meeting of the winter at Cheltenham. All the top trainers have runners, and it will be interesting to see how the German-bred Fairyland, a half-brother to the smart Fair Along, fares in the opening race at 15.20, a handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys, who can possibly supply Nicky Hemderson with his first winner since his return from his controversial suspension. Another interesting ex-German is Akiem, who was Group One-placed last year for Andreas Löwe and makes his debut over hurdles for Jonjo O´Neill at 18.50. Tony McCoy, who would normally rides him, has however chosen to partner Rebecca Curtis´ Jigsaw, a smart bumper performer, also making his hurdles bow. The best race on the card is the handicap chase over 3 miles at 17.05, n which Phulip Hobbs saddles two runners, Boychuk with stable jockey Richard Johnson, and top-weight Parsons Legacy (Rhys Flint). The latter has not run since falling in the Grand National, but he won this event last year and can go close again. Hobbs also has a chance in the 2 mile handicap hurdle at 16.30 with Templer, who will be partnered by 10 lbs claimer Giles Hawkins, who rode him to an easy win last time out; Irish challenger On the Other hand (Charlie Swan/ McCoy) and Iroquois Warrior (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) look the main dangers in a very open race.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Weather Front - Mcmurdo Sound - Fairyland
2. Race: Snap Tie - Pigeon Island - Rippling Ring
3. Race: Kayf Aramis - Templer - Buena Vista
4. Race: Boychuk - Parsons Legacy - Maljimar
5. Race: Barizan - Riptide - Forty Thirty
6. Race: Present Gale - Skipper`S Lad - Mister Apple`S
7. Race: The Jigsaw Man - Akiem - Crystal Rock