Cheltenham 2018 tips: Racing Post expert picks his Cheltenham Festival winners

The feature race of the day is the 3.30pm Champion Hurdle, where Buveur D’Air will start as favourite to retain his crown.

But the horse’s trainer Nicky Henderson has urged a little caution to those backing his seven-year-old in the big race.

“Everything has gone well this season and there’s not much else I can add that hasn’t already been said,” Henderson wrote this morning.

“We know he goes in the ground and he’s so slick over his hurdles it’s very hard to find a negative, but this is a Champion Hurdle and it’s certainly not a ‘gimme’ but we’ve done everything we can at home, and taken him away for gallops, so it’s just up to him to do the business.”

So is Kealy buying the 67-year-old’s confidence? And does Daily Express tipster The Scout agree?

Cheltenham tips from Racing Post editor Paul Kealy

1.30pm Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Kealy tips: First Flow

The Scout says: KALASHNIKOV can get the meeting off to an explosive start for punters. Amy Murphy’s runner won the Grade Three Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in scintillating style and that bodes well for a big run here even though he is now up to Grade One level for the first time.

Kalashnikov is a really consistent type as his form figures of 11121 underline. Getabird, from the Willie Mullins’ winners factory, is a worthy favourite after winning a Grade Two at Punchestown last time out. Burst clear of his rivals that day and his turn of foot could be seen to good effect here.

2.10pm Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase

Kealy tips: Saint Calvados

The Scout says: FOOTPAD can take this prize back to Ireland for the Mullins-Walsh partnership. After a near-200-day break he has run up a terrific sequence of three wins, improving for each run.

Ended his pre-Cheltenham campaign with a decisive defeat of Petit Mouchoir in the Grade One Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown, where he came home five lengths clear of that rival under tender handling from Paul Townend. Petit Mouchoir was no match for him that day and it might be left to the improving Saint Calvados to chase Footpad home.

2.50pm: Ultima Handicap Chase

Kealy tips: Coo Star Sivola

The Scout says: COO STAR SIVOLA has a great chance under Lizzie Kelly, who has had a fantastic season so far. Her mount produced a career-best performance when storming home by 14 lengths at Exeter last time out. Hard to know what he beat that day, but he is definitely on the upgrade.

There are dangers aplenty in this big field and each-way punters could be well served by supporting Gold Present, who won a Listed race at Ascot last time.

3.30pm Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

Kealy tips: Wicklow Brave

The Scout says: BUVEUR D’AIR should make it 10 straight wins when he defends his Champion Hurdle crown. Since landing last year’s hurdling blue riband impressively from ultra-reliable stablemate My Tent Or Yours, Nicky Henderson’s stable star has not put a foot wrong. He beat that same rival at Aintree before winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

He rounded off his Cheltenham preparations with a bloodless win at Sandown from two vastly inferior rivals, where unsurprisingly he was long odds-on. But that was a nice pipe-opener and he now be fully focused for today’s task.

4.10pm OLBG Mares’ Hurdle

Kealy tips: La Bague Au Roi

The Scout says: APPLE’S JADE can land this for the talented Jack Kennedy, who will be riding for Festival specialist Gordon Elliott. Apple’s Jade has won his last five on the spin, culminating with a hard-fought success from Supasundae in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The former Willie Mullins-trained winner will go off at odds-on so eachway players might like to consider siding with La Bague Au Roi, trained by Warren Greatrex. Richard Johnson takes the ride on the seven-year-old who jumped well and stayed on strongly when winning at Ascot in January.

4.50pm National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase

Kealy tips: Duel At Dawn

The Scout says: MS PARFOIS has the size and stamina to take this gruelling test. She has switched seamlessly from hurdles to fences, taking a couple of Listed races en route. Wasn’t suited by the slow gallop at Ascot last time when second to Black Corton, but lack of pace is not going to be an issue here with 16 amateur riders vying for a good position in this four-miler. With the talented Will Biddick in the plate, Ms Parfois looks the one to beat.

Gordon Elliott has won this in two of the last three years and his Jury Duty must be respected. The seven-year-old has been a model of consistency this season with two wins and three seconds from five outings. A must for the short list.

5.30pm Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase

Kealy tips: Mister Whitaker

The Scout says: MISTER WHITAKER can score for footballer-turned-trainer Mick Channon. Took his form to a new level with a warm-up win over the course last time. The ground that day was softer than he had ever encountered before and it will be even deeper this time out.

Provided he can cope he should give a good account of himself with in-form Brian Hughes doing the steering. Although yet to win in four runs over fences, Ireland’s De Potting Shed looks the main threat.