Detroit looks opening day banker

Detroit looks Champion bet on Tuesday

Cheltenham 2007 is upon us and what a week of top-class racing we have got to look forward.
It’s been labelled the World Cup off the National Hunt racing calendar where hundreds of thousands of punters flock of to seek their fortune.
The Irish go there full of hope with the old Cheltenham die-hards turning up in the shape Brave Inca, Hardy Eustace and Beef Or Salmon along with the likes of Nickname, Newmill and Aran Concerto to name a few.
The going is certain to be a massive factor next week and if it comes up heavy then expect a lot of shocks and big-price winners and as we go to press the official going is heavy, soft in places.
We will run through the first 18 races of the Festival and hopefully come up with a few pointers for punters looking to win a few quid next week.
We start off the week off with the first race of the festival (2.00pm Tuesday) which is the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle where the Nicky Henderson trained Amaretto Rose leads the betting at 7/2. She has done nothing wrong this season winning at Ascot when she walloped Hobbs Hill by 11 lengths and the runner-up has since won by 17 lengths and that looks solid form. I like the look of the Irish challenge and Clopf has been mentioned in many a place and the horse gets a 12-1 pricing but a better alternative could be the Jessica Harrington trained Hide The Evidence who was last seen finishing sixth in the AIG behind Hardy Eustace and the 8-1 on offer looks a good investment. Our each-way bet of the race is the Charlie Mann trained My Turn Now who looks an interesting runner and he gets a 20-1 pricing from Sean Grahams.
On to the Arkle (2.35) and Fair Along looks the one to beat after impressing all year and gets a 9-4 quote for the race and the Phillip Hobbs trained horse could also turn up on the last day for the County Hurdle. The danger to our selection is My Way De Solzen who as we all know loves it round Cheltenham and the Alan King horse gets a 4-1 pricing. The each-way bet of the race for us is the Nicky Henderson trained Jack The Giant who will love the long gallop up that Cheltenham hill and the 16-1 on offer looks decent each-way value.
On to the big race of the day, The Champion Hurdle and as usual it looks a gem of a race on paper.
The betting has been led all season by the Phillip Hobbs trained Detroit City and what a first day it could turn out for the trainer and jockey Richard Johnston who by the way is our tip to be top jock at 5/1.
The grey for me is the one they all have to beat – he has hacked home this season and put Hardy Eustace in his place over course and distance last time out and he should confirm places with old Hardy boy. Brave Inca goes for the hat-trick but I just don’t think he will have the legs on Detroit and even with Ruby Walsh on board.
I expect the Nick Gifford trained Straw Bear to run a huge race and he gets a 6-1 pricing. Punters Guide Champion Hurdle predictions is 1. Detroit City 2. Straw Bear 3. Hardy Eustace.
Hopefully by this stage we be a few quid up and the rest of our Tuesday selections are the French trained Kelami 16/1 to win the William Hill Trophy (4.00pm) and we have went for Native Jack at 10/1 to follow up on last year’s easy win in the Sporting Index Cross-County Chase (4.40pm). Ned Ludd 20/1 looks an interesting runner in last race on Day One the Fred Winter Juvenile (5.20pm) and boosts some good form behind leading Triumph hope Katchit.