Cheltenham Open Meeting starts today

the N.H. season proper starts today with the first day of Cheltenham´s Open Meeting and easily the best jumps card we have so far had this season.All 6 races are extremely competitive, and really, when the racing is as good as this, 6 races is all you need.
The first race is an amateur riders handicap chase at 14.15 CET and the logical one here is Charingworth (Kim Bailey/ Harry Bannister), with both trainer and jockey in good form. He has been raised 4 lbs for his second place at the last meeting, but that form now looks good, as it was won by controversial The Young Master. The danger could be Oscar Time (Robert and Sam Waley-Cohen). 4th in the 2013 Grand National and dropped nicely in the weights since.
The 2 mile handicap chase at 14.50 is the best betting race of the day with 9 runners but looks very difficult. Horses with CD experience are always favoured here, so we like Anay Turge (Nigel Hawke/ Jamie Moore) and Sew on Target (Colin Tizzard/ Daryl Jacob), first and second here last year. Ex- French Monetaire (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) is the big question mark here; he had having his first run in the U.K. but could well be very leniently treated and his stable love having it off at these Cheltenham meetings.
In-form-trainer Philip Hobbs has a strong hand in the novice chase at 15.25 with Champagne West (Richard Johnson), a top staying novice hurdler last season, and Colour Squadron (Tom O´Brien), who has not won for 3 years but has plenty of smart chasing form; he could have run in the big race tomorrow and we give him our vote
The Grade Two novice hurdle at 16.00 is the main event, and Champagne Present (Jonjo O´Neill/ Ruby Walsh) looks the obvious one here after his unlucky defeat last time. Blaklion (Twiston-Davies/ Moore) has won his last 5 races (3 bumpers, 2 over hurdles) and is clearly smart but has to concede 7 lbs.
CD specialist Balthazar King (Hobbs/ Johnson) looks the day´s banker in the cross country race at 16.35; he won this race last year and also the big cross country at the Festival, and holds all these runners on those bits of form and was also runner-up in the Grand National. Uncle Junior (Willie and Paddy Mullins) would be the danger on his old form - (he won here in 2011 and 2012) - but seems to be not so good these days.
The card ends with another tricky handicap at 17.05, where the lightly-raced maiden Cup Final (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) is likely to start a short-priced favourite. He could well win, but for those looking for a value alternative, we suggest bottom-weight Cloudy Beach (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) each-way.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Broadway Buffalo - Charingworth - Benbens
2. Race: Karinga Dancer - Festive Affair - Monetaire
3. Race: Champagne West - Dell` Arca - Urban Hymn
4. Race: Blaklion - Parlour Games - Champagne Present
5. Race: Balthazar King - Sire Collonges - Uncle Junior
6. Race: River Deep - Cassells Rock - Buster Dan Dan