Cheltenham Festival tips: Supreme Novices Hurdle, Arkle Chase selections and more from our tipster on day one

The Cheltenham Festival gets underway today and, after last years spectator free event, there will be a huge crowd making the traditional roar at around 1.30pm this afternoon, writes Bob Cross.

The Irish won twenty three of the twenty eight races in 2021 to win the Prestbury Cup and they have, arguably, a stronger hand this year than last.

Day One starts off with The Supreme Novices Hurdle (1.30). Jonbon cost owner JP McManus a record fee when he was purchased after winning a point-to-point in 2020. He has a great chance of following in the footsteps of his full brother, Douvan, who was a bit of a legend round here.

Our each way selection is Kilcruit who ran well in defeat in the bumper last year.

The Arkle Chase (2.10) lets us see one of Britain's main hopes for the week – Edwardstone.

His price, in my opinion, is far too short for an eight year old who has not finished in the first three in his previous outings at Cheltenham. Blue Lord (nap) will relish the ground and appeals more at the odds. Magic Daze is our each way selection.

The Ultimo Handicap Chase (2.50) gives us the opportunity for a couple of each way selections in what is a wide open contest. Many bookies are paying additional places so check before placing your wager. Corach Rambler is trained by Lucinda Russell in Perthshire and will be carrying the hopes of the nation. Tea Clipper seldom runs a bad race and may go well here at a big price.

The feature race of the day is the Champion Hurdle (3.30) and, with Honeysuckle being an odds on favourite , we will look for two each way selections who can make the frame. Appreciate It returns after a long lay off. If he retains any of the ability he showed previously he should be able to run in to a