Cheltenham Open: Friday

Cheltenham’s Open Meeting is often regarded as the start of the National Hunt season proper. Three days of high quality racing begins on Friday with four live televised races on Channel 4.

1:10 Amateur Riders´ Handicap Chase Cl3 3m110y
Time For Spring (6/1 Ladbrokes) will prove popular with Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Waley Cohen on board. But having only his second start over the big obstacles, this is a tough race for the novice to win.

The enigmatic Pigeon Island (12/1 Coral) saves his best for Cheltenham and was a Festival winner in 2010 when taking the Grand Annual. That is still the only chase victory to his name but he has been crying out for a step up in trip. Last season he recorded his best speed figure in a three mile chase at Ludlow. Used to racing in Grade company, a step down to a class 3 handicap could see him win again.

Selection: Pigeon Island 12/1 (Coral)

1:45 Handicap Chase Cl2 2m
The 2009 Champion Hurdle fourth, Crack Away Jack (9/2 William Hill) will have his supporters but injury has taken its toll. He has managed only two runs in two years, finishing tailed off and pulled up.

Last season’s Grand Annual form is well represented with I’msingingtheblues, Keki Buku, Oh Crick and Tanks For That all taking their chances and very difficult to separate.

Pulled up at the Festival Nomecheki (16/1 Paddy Power) is the most exciting. On his seasonal reappearance he finished eight lengths behind Tataniano and although nine-years-old he has very few miles on the clock, this being his 14th race. 

Selection: Nomecheki 16/1 (Paddy Power)

2:20 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Cl2 3m7f
Enda Bolger usually mops up the Cross Coutry races at Cheltenham; the Irish trainer winning five of the last seven renewals of this event. Garde Champetre is very warm in the betting at 4/5 with Stan James. No surprise considering he won the race in 2009 and finished runner-up in 2008 and 2010.

A winner of a 3m6f chase in May, Uncle Junior (13/2 Boylesports) might give him something to worry about.

Selection: Garde Champetre 4/5 (Stan James)

2:55 Opus Energy Novices´ Hurdle Grade 2 Cl1 2m110y
This race can offer clues to the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle but with so many horses yet to run, it isn’t a contest to get carried away with. Steps To Freedom is the 6/4 (Boylesports) favourite, and 14/1 with Victor Chandler in the antepost betting for the Supreme Novices’.

With so many unexposed hurdlers, a chance could be given to half the field. At the current odds Absolutlyfantastic (14/1 Betfred) looks the most exciting. Still only four-years-old, he emerged with credit when second to Rebel Fitz at Cork last month.

Selection: Absolultyfantastic 14/1 (Betfred)