CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

2009

****

Today sees the start of four days of superb racing at the Cheltenham Festival. It is here where English and Irish trainers go head to head to compete for some of the richest prize money in National Hunt racing.

During the next four days we shall be giving our selections for all the Cheltenham races. One advice each day, regarded as the 'best bet', will be featured, and this will be included in our profit and loss account, which currently stands at -4 Points. For the rest of the card our 'other bets' will just give the name of the horse for each race.

Our 'best bet' on the opening day of the Festival is OSANA in the Champion Hurdle, the feature race of the day. Osana, a 7.y.o gelding, is trained by David Pipe and will be ridden by Andrew Mcnamara. The selection was second in the race last year, finishing only one length behind the useful winner Katchit. Osana comes into the race a fresh horse, having only had one race this season, when second at Sandown to Celestial Halo, beaten three and a half lengths, when giving that horse 4lbs. He renews rivalry with both Katchit and Celestial Hero again today, but will have improved for his last run and will handle both the course and the going. He has won on the course in the past over 17f, a furlong further than today's distance, so the stiff uphill Cheltenham finish should bring the best out of him. He has solid claims and we expect a big run from him.

Other Bets

1.30 Kempes

2.05 Calgary Bay

2.40 Hobbs Hill

4.00 Garde Champetre

4.40 Chomba Womba