"...like the wind"

It's here! Festival Day 1 at Cheltenham! Waiting is over! Ready for the fray!

Today's main event is the Champion Hurdle where the excellent Hurricane Fly bids to add back to back titles to his impressive CV. Based on the form book and his recent run at Leopardstown, it's very hard to oppose him and he should launch a multitude of multiple bets. Oscars Well will relish quicker ground and is the leading candidate to follow the Champ home.

It's a pity that Donald McCain has swerved the Arkle with Peddlers Cross as one would have expected him to give the unbeaten Sprinter Sacre a serious test. The small field probably would not have suited him and it now looks pretty straightforward for Nicky Henderson's novice. Blackstairsmountain may run better than his price suggests and he could well benefit from any slips-ups.

Quevega is the day's banker but at 2s on, looks a bit short for a horse missing off the track for nearly 10 months. Our Girl Salley may be a sporting bet in this.

The opening contest, the Supreme Hurdle is as ever difficult to assess, as the absence of a strong favourite purports. Plenty in with a shout, but Midnight Game has looked the most talented so far and he gets a tentative vote.

Best of luck and enjoy.....

Kauto to be King at Kempton Again???

The rearranged King George at Kempton today sees one of the all time greats, Kauto Star, aiming to win National Hunt's second biggest chase for the fifth consecutive season. He, on all known form, is very difficult to oppose in an ostensibly weakish field, but "five in a rows" in any sport are a rare feat. The only contender who has the potential ability to match Kauto is Long Run. Highly regarded since his impressive win in the Feltham (course + distance), he looks the one who may progress and upstage the champion. Jockey issues and his somewhat errant fencing are concerns but at 13/2, he offers a modicum of betting value.

The rescheduled Christmas Hurdle is an intriguing contest with Donald McCain sending the very capable Overturn down to assess the merits of  last year's Champion Hurdle, first and second. His stablemate Peddlers Cross beat Binocular last time and while the current champion should come on for that, he has previously looked unsuited by the track. Seasonal debutant, Khyber Kim should benefit from the sound pace and looks the one to beat here.

The Lanzarote Hurdle is very open but The Betchworth Kid looks well treated and if not winning, hopefully will be primed for a tilt at the Totesport Trophy in a few weeks.

good luck...