Cheltenham Festival 2024 day one tips as Garry Owen seizes on dynamic Mullins and Townend Treble

TULLYHILL (1:30 ) can get Willie Mullins off to a flyer in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.

Jump racing comes alive as a week of thrills will be followed by the Grand National at Aintree and our man Garry Owen senses Irish eyes will be smiling. The grey oozed potential when decisively defeating Will Do on debut in a bumper at Gowran Park. He boosted his reputation yet again when second to A Dream To Share in a Punchestown Grade 1. Despite those encouraging efforts, the rangy six-year-old’s future always seemed to lie over hurdles. He didn’t please all when second to Shannon Royale on his timber bow over 2m6f at the same track.

A drop to two miles and an improved round of jumping saw the grey easily open his account at Naas. He stayed upwardly mobile when routing No Flies On Him in Listed company back at Punchestown. The Closutton raider will love this left-handed track so he can conquer some promising opponents.The top trainer can add the Arkle Trophy to his ever-growing tally with IL ETAIT TEMPS (2:10). The gelding always looked a future chaser despite landing a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Leopardstown.

He confirmed that impression by slamming Ho My Lord on his fencing bow over 2m 2f at Thurles. The grey improved again when a cracking second to Gaelic Warrior in a 2m 4f Grade 1 at Limerick. He landed a Grade 1 of his own when pipping Found A Fifty over two miles back at Leopardstown.

The six-year-old has the ideal mix of class and guts for this race so he can see off several old rivals. Mullins can make it three when STATE MAN (3:30) deservedly takes the Champion Hurdle. The superstar went into last season’s renewal on the back of four straight Grade 1 successes.

However, his winning run