Cheltenham Festival 2021 LIVE: Day 1 tips, betting, racecards, stream free, TV channel – LATEST updates
THE Cheltenham Festival is finally here!
And we'll be bringing you ALL of the latest news, tips and results from Prestbury Park as we count down to the famous ROAR (well, kind of this year!).
- DAY 1 – RACE CARD, TIMES AND TIPS
- FREE BETS: GET £60 IN FREE BETS WITH PADDY POWER
- SPECIAL OFFER – GET THE FIRST RACE FAVOURITE AT HUGE 50/1 PRICE
- FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Follow ALL of the latest updates from Prestbury Park below…
- Anthony Chapman
TV TIMES FOR DAY ONE
- Craig Mahood
BEST FREE BETS
SunSport has collated the best free bets on offer from the bookmakers so YOU get the best deals with a busy week ahead.
Get Appreciate It at 50/1 for the opener (currently evens)
60/1 on Man City to win Champions League clash & Appreciate It to win first race
Get HONEYSUCKLE at huge 80/1 to win Champion Hurdle
William Hill – £60 in free bets when you bet a tenner HERE
Cheltenham Festival – Day 1: Best offers and bets for the opening day HERE* (£10 now, £10 every day of Cheltenham)
£60 in free bets when you stake £20 on opening race with Paddy Power special
- Craig Mahood
TEATIME RECAP
What you might have missed if you're just joining us this evening:
- Two-time champion chaser Altior is OUT of Champion Chase
- Annie Mc ruled out of meeting but could still run this season
- Templegate takes us through the card for tomorrow with his hot tips
- Paul Nicholls on the board today – Harry Cobden lands treble
- Ruby Walsh lifts lid on riding for Willie Mullins
- Craig Mahood
THE STRAIGHT
Every hopeful this week will want to see this view while competitive.
We may just be heading for good to soft, soft in places tomorrow after a pleasant day at Prestbury Park.
- Craig Mahood
PREFER AN OUTSIDER?
Some short-priced favourites tomorrow with Shishkin at odds-on and Appreciate It and Concertista just above even money.
It's Cheltenham after all – let's push the boat out a bit and try and land a big price lucky 15. Here is our top four outsiders for day one.
CAPTAIN GUINNESS (1.55) – 7/1
He caught the eye when still going very nicely in the Irish Arkle last time before taking a clumsy late tumble. He has plenty of speed for this trip and looks open to improvement. He may not be good enough to beat Shiskin but looks a decent price to fill the forecast spot.
ABACADABRAS (3.05) – 8/1
He was a heartbreaking second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 12 months ago when chinned right on the line.
He’s done well since then and chased home Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time. This guaranteed gallop will help and he looks a solid each-way prospect.
BLACK TEARS (3.40) – 11/1
She has been overlooked a little for this Mares’ Hurdle despite her impressive Punchestown victory 15 days ago. That was a good performance and, as long as this doesn’t come too soon, she can get into the first three.
RIVIERE D’ETEL (4.15) – 8/1
She won by 12 lengths on her Irish debut at Punchestown before the slow pace didn’t help her at Navan last time. There’s a guaranteed gallop here, which will play to her strengths, and she could be ahead of the handicapper.
ALL PRICES CORRECT AS OF 17:30 ON 15/03
PADDY POWER are offering new customers £40 in FREE bets when you sign up and stake £5 as part of their Cheltenham Festival special.
The offer will give customers £20 in free bets as soon as they sign up and place their £5 bet and another £20 for Cheltenham, split into four £5 bets for each day of the festival.
CLAIM £40 IN FREE BETS HERE
- Craig Mahood
TOP JOCKEY FOR THE WEEK?
Willie Mullins is a warm, warm favourite to land top trainer for the week.
The battle for top jockey could be a bit tighter though – despite what the betting might suggest.
Of course, a great week for Mullins would mean Paul Townend has a great chance of a winning week.
But Jack Kennedy, Nico de Boinville and Rachael Blackmore have shouts of their own.
Top Jockey Odds
Paul Townend 4-11 (Coral)
Jack Kennedy 10-3
Nico De Boinville 12-1
Rachael Blackmore 14-1
Harry Skelton, Mark Walsh 16-1
Aidan Coleman 20-1
Harry Cobden 25-1
Richard Johnson 40-1
- Craig Mahood
RACECARDS
The easiest and quickest way to read through this week's runners and riders?
It's with the Sun Racings racecards that you can access below 👇
RACECARDS
- Craig Mahood
ONE MORE SLEEP UNTIL CHELTENHAM
It's a quiet place today and sadly it will remain quieter than usual this week too.
But it'll be full of anticipation and quality.
One of sport's greatest venues.
- Craig Mahood
MULLINS ON HIS 'ROLLS ROYCE'
Willie Mullins was asked which horse he would come out of retirement to ride.
His answer was Champion Chase odds-on favourite Chacun Pour Soi.
I imagine the horse everyone would like to ride is Chacun Pour Soi – he looks a Rolls Royce of a ride.
I sent him off schooling behind three or four Grade 1 horses and after one fence the horse just went to the front and galloped and galloped and jumped. A Rolle Royce I think.Willie Mullins
- Craig Mahood
HELLO, HARRY!
A treble on Cheltenham Eve for Harry Cobden at Taunton.
331/1 the price if you backed all three.
He has favourable chances in Houx Girls (Juvenule Handicap) and Next Destination (NH Challenge Cup Novice's Chase) on the opening day 📝
- Craig Mahood
TEMPLEGATE: THROUGH THE CARD
What about the rest of the races?
Lukcily, Templegate has given us a line on each race throughout the afternoon!
Who makes your lucky 15's?
1.20 Ballyadam
Good run last time and will be suited by Cheltenham.
1.55 Shiskin
Last year’s Supreme winner who looks even better over fences.
2.30 Aye Right
In cracking form this season and totally reliable.
Aye Right with trainer Harriet Graham in the Scottish Borders 3.05 HONEYSUCKLE (NAP)
Unbeaten class act who was brilliant again last time out.
3.40 Concertista (nb)
Won by 12 lengths here last year and looks hard to stop again.
4.15 Busselton
Improver who went well latest and yard won this two years ago.
4.50 Remastered (treble)
Unbeaten over fences and this trip should be ideal.
- Craig Mahood
TEMPLEGATE TIPS: TREBLE FOR DAY ONE
A double not do it for you?
Here, Templegate adds a third fancy of the day to give you a BIG WIN.
REMASTERED (4.50 Cheltenham, treble – chuck in for a big win)
He jumped brilliantly when winning the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot last time and is the kind of out and out stayer you still need for this race.
He has been brought along quietly by David Pipe who saw him beat four rivals on chase debut at Carlisle before another easy win at Wetherby. He coped with a bigger field over hurdles and looks capable of much better.
Remastered is currently 8/1 with Paddy Power.
PADDY POWER are offering new customers £40 in FREE bets when you sign up and stake £5 as part of their Cheltenham Festival special.
GET OFFER HERE
- Craig Mahood
TEMPLEGATE TIPS: NB FOR DAY ONE
So Honeysuckle is the best bet of the opening day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival – who is next best?
A double of the two could work…..
CONCERTISTA (3.40 Cheltenham, nb – next best)
She is one of several winners from last year’s Festival who have a massive chance of striking again. She won the novices’ version of this race by no less than 12 lengths and hasn’t put a foot wrong since.
This is over half a mile further than the youngsters’ contest and she proved her staying power when taking a Fairyhouse Grade 2 in November.
She stepped up on that when scoring at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and Willie Mullins knows how to ready a mare for this contest having won it so many times.
- Craig Mahood
TEMPLEGATE'S NAP FOR DAY ONE?
Plenty of runners, plenty of chances – how do you make your choices?
Luckily, Steve Mullen – who you may know best as Templegate – is here with his tips for day one.
Why listen to anyone else? Here is his NAP for the opening day 👇
HONEYSUCKLE (3.05 Cheltenham, nap – best bet)
She extended her 100 per cent record to ten with a bloodless victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last month.
That put to bed any worries about her speed for this two-mile trip as she tanked along before leaving behind a decent field — including Abacadabras and Sharjah.
She gets the same 7lb mares’ allowance as Epatante, which hardly seems fair, and she can improve again.
- Craig Mahood
THE MULLINS GROUP
It's quite a squad the Irish maestro has.
It could be another very profitable week for Mullins and co.
- Craig Mahood
DE BROMHEAD STRIKES
Grand Jury is first past the post for de Bromhead at Punchestown.
He has taken a similar path to the Ballymore favourite on Wednesday, Bob Olinger 👀
- Craig Mahood
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
If you're just joining us, here is what you may have missed today.
- Altior OUT of the Champion Chase tomorrow 👉 HERE
- Annie Mc to miss Festival 👉 HERE
- Templegate and Matt Chapman's tips for the week 👉 HERE
- £170 in free bets for the week 👉 HERE
BETFAIR BONUS – £50 IN FREE BETS
Betfair have a sensational sign-up offer for new customers to celebrate before the action gets underway tomorrow.
New customers who sign up and bet £10, will be instantly rewarded with a £10 free bet and they will get an extra £10 in free bets for each day of the festival.
CLAIM £50 IN FREE BETS HERE
THIS TIME TOMORROW
We will have crowned our Champion Hurdle winner and be four races in.
Appreciate It, Shishkin, Happygolucky and Honeysuckle – could all four favourites go in?
CHAPPERS' PICKS
SunSport tipster Matt Chapman picks his two best bets for Cheltenham – both coming TOMORROW.
One pick will 'hack up' and the other is a 'Mullins banker'……
Shishkin (Arkle, Tuesday)
He won't just win the Arkle but he will hack up and show he's the best jumps horse in training in the UK.
The Supreme hero has done nothing wrong in three runs over fences and is just an absolute machine.
Barring accidents that can happen in any race I have no doubt Shishkin will win for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.
Appreciate It (Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Tuesday)
Outstanding bumper performer has already showed he's a class hurdler.
What I love about the Champion Bumper runner-up is that he will stay much further than two miles but he has the speed to land the Supreme.
He jumps for fun and is a great big horse who will make a chaser one day. Class act. Mullins banker.
POLITOLOGUE – drying ground?
The weather is considerably better than it was through the night after the unexpected rain.
Paul Nicholls spoke at the weekend and talked up Politologue's chances in the Champion Chase on Wednesday – IF the ground dried up.
They face a formidable opponent in Chacun Pour Soi, who is odds-on.
You know he'll run his race and he loves the place, especially with the ground drying out.
He's still not seen as being as sexy as some of the others, but he's already been to five festivals and he keeps getting there and playing his game.
Chacun Pour Soi looks unbeatable if he performs like he did at Leopardstown, but there's an if about that and we know our lad will turn up and do his job.- Craig Mahood
FREE BETS: HOW DOES £170 WORTH SOUND?
Sun Racing is on hand with a flurry of free bets for punters to take claim with the Cheltenham Festival getting underway tomorrow.
We've partnered with some of the UK's leading bookmakers and this year punters get up to £170 in free bets from betting just £40 of your own cash.
Paddy Power are giving customers £60 in free bets when they sign up and bet £20 on the first race – in offer that is valid every day of the festival.
William Hill are also giving punters £60 in free bets (£40 sports & £20 on casino).
And Betfair are giving punters £50 in free bets with £10 immediately and £10 for every day of the Festival.
Paddy Power are giving customers £60 in free bets when they sign up and bet £20 on the first race – in offer that is valid every day of the festival.
William Hill are also giving punters £60 in free bets (£40 sports & £20 on casino).
And Betfair are giving punters £50 in free bets with £10 immediately and £10 for every day of the Festival.
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £60 in Free Bets (mobile only)*– HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets (£10 now, £10 every day of Cheltenham)*-HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 on the first race get £60 in free bets* – HERE
T's and C's HERE
- Craig Mahood
SKELTON'S ON FIRE
Vision du Puy picks up superbly after the last to land a double for Dan and Harry Skelton.
The Monday before Cheltenham, decent time to show some form….
- Craig Mahood
WHAT A SIGHT 😍
Youmdor and Sharjah enjoy a roll around on the turf after their exercise on the gallops earlier today.
Perfect conditions for it!
- Craig Mahood
GAME DEBUT = ONE FOR NICHOLLS
The start of Cheltenham week and Paul Nicholls' lead at the top of thetrainers' championship has already extended.
A British debut for Tulin under Harry Cobden. This looks another powerful recruit to the yard as he clears well away from Iron Mike from the Nick Mitchell yard.
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