start of Cheltenham open meeting

for many jumps racing fans the N.H. season starts today, the first day of Cheltenham´s Open Meeting. Although there are no graded races today, it is still an excellent card with some very competitive races, although there are only 4 runners in the main event. This is the novice chase over 2 1/2 miles at 15.05 CET and sees the chasing debut of top hurdler Oscar Whisky (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty). On hurdles Ratings. and in view of his excellent couzrse record, he oiught to win, but there are reasons to be cautious. He did not always jump perfectly over the smaller obstacles, so it remains to be seen how he will cope with the big ones, while his stable has not really hit top form yet. And of course his 3 opponents will not be brushed aside lightly, especially Taquin du Seuil (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy), also a Grade One hurdles winner who started off over fences with an easy win. He and the other previous winner The Cockney Mackem (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) are penalised 5 lbs which makes life tougher, but The Romford Pele (Rebecca Curtis/ Noel Fehily), although not as good as the others over hurdles, jumped really well on his chasing debut and must not be underrated. This is definitely a race to watch only.
There are certainly better betting opportunities. For example, one of our favourite horses, the German-bred Fredo (Ian Williams/ Sam Waley-Cohen) runs under bottom weight in the opening amateur riders handicap chase at 14.05. He did not jump that well last time, but he normally goes well here - very important at Cheltenham- and is extremely well handicapped on his best form. Standing Ovation (David Pipe/ Sam Clements), going for a fivetimer, and Irish raider Victrix Gale (Tony Martin/ Jamie Codd) are the obvious dangers.
With the Alan King stable in good form, Oh Crick (with his regular pilot Joshua Newman), could run well in the 2 mile handicap chase at 14.35. >He has been below form, in fact he was only won omnce in ther pasdt 4 172 years, but is another one very well handicapped now. Super-consistent Eastlake (O´Neill/ McCoy) and distance specialist Anay Turge (Nigel Hawke/ Mick Quinlan) are two of many dangers here.
The cross-country over just short of 4 miles at 16.15 is another tricky race with several specialists entered, noably Uncle Junior (Willie and Paddy Mullins), who has won it the last twice. Last year he won by 11 lengths from Balthazar King (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson), but the latter has the better recent form, while Diamond Harry (Nick Williams/ James Reveley)lLooks a threat off a light weight, having run well in similar events in France.
O´Neill and McCoy have several good chances today, and the lightly-raced and unexposed pair Upswing at 15.40 and Edmaaj at 16.50 are two more that appeal in very open handicap hurdles, although in the latter race Tony Martin has another dangerous raider in Quick Jack,which is astonishingly Ruby Walsh´s only ride of the day.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Standing Ovation - Ruben Cotter - Imperial Circus
2. Race: Eastlake - Anay Turge - Tindaro
3. Race: Taquin Du Seuil - The Romford Pele - The Cockney Mackem
4. Race: Whisper - Atlantic Roller - Top Gamble
5. Race: Balthazar King - Chicago Grey - Uncle Junior
6. Race: Edmaaj - Quick Jack - Rosie Probert