JAKE PRICE’S CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL DAY 1 TIPS

The Cheltenham Festival is finally here, and my Day 1 NAP comes in the concluding National Hunt Chase where I believe Embassy Gardens will take the world of beating.

This Willie Mullins Novice Chaser has been electric so far over fences, winning by 13 lengths on debut at Punchestown in December, before then thrashing Sandor Clegane by 10 lengths in the 3m1f Grade 3 Naas Novice Chase. He’s taken to fences like a duck to water so there are no jumping concerns (unlike with Corbetts Cross) and a first-time hood is applied to alleviate any concerns of him being too gassy early on and ruining his chance over this marathon trip. He should take some stopping under Patrick Mullins.

Chianti Classico running in the Ultima was something that I’ve had on my mind ever since he made such an impressive debut over fences at Chepstow in October, and he’s done nothing in the interim period to suggest that the race wouldn’t suit him perfectly off a very tempting mark of 143.

David Bass takes the ride which is another vote of confidence considering Trelawne also turns up here for Kim Bailey, and if handling Cheltenham better this time I’d be expecting a huge run from this young, improving type who jumps so strongly. Despite his price being much shorter now, I’d still be very keen on his chances and would be happy to go in again with the extra places.

I am keen on Ose Partir from the Leopardstown Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle formline, and to my eye this Martin Brassil charge has been plotted out this season for a big Handicap.

His debut was particularly eye-catching when he finished a very close 2nd to Kaleosun (119) at Galway under a tame ride, but he’s since been kept exclusively to Graded company – finishing 9th at Fairyhouse before then finishing 8th in that Boxing Day contest. If we go through the Boodles weights however, Ose Partir will be 7lbs better off with Batman Girac (3.75 lengths ahead), 11lbs better off with Miss Manzor (0.75 lengths ahead), 1lb better off with Eagle Fang (beat 1.5 lengths), and 8lbs better off with Karia Des Blaises (beat 5.25 lengths).

Now, clearly Juveniles improve at different rates, but with SPs of 80/1 and 100/1 on his last two starts he hasn’t been fully let off the leash yet, and a mark of 126 could make a fool of the assessor.