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THE opening day of the Cheltenham Festival is one of the most anticipated days of the racing year and this year’s feature event on day one, the Champion Hurdle (4.00) looks like a cracker as former champion CONSTITUTION HILL takes on the up-and-coming mare Brighterdaysahead and last year’s winner State Man.

This promises to be a real test at the trip with King of Kingsfield and Greatwood Hurdle winner Burdett Road set to make the early fractions. It will then be a case of when Jack Kennedy goes for gold on the mare and how long De Boinville can sit on the selection before pressing the finishing button.

I think Nicky Henderson’s charge will take another big step forward from his Christmas Hurdle success and regain the crown.

The opening Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices Hurdle is named after the young and brilliant jockey who was so tragically killed on track last month. The colours associated with him with William Munny looks sure to go well, but I think this is best left to WORKAHEAD to give trainer Henry De Bromhead back to back wins in this opening event. He won his maiden on the same card that favourite Kopek Des Bordes did, but looks far better value at around the 12/1 mark.

It is hard to get away from Majborough in the Arkle Chase at 2.00, but this will be his first time on a severe undulating track and to my eyes he hasn’t exactly impressed with his jumping. So take a chance on JANGO BAIE who will relish this return to a sounder surface.

The handicaps on the opening day are typically fierce, but that means there is plenty of value out in the market place. I strongly fancy KATATE DORI off a light weight to follow up his impressive Kempton victory by landing the Festival Trophy Handicap Chase at 2.40, while the well thought of JULY FLOWER can upset Lossiemouth in the Mares Hurdle at 3.20.

The most difficult race to dissect is the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at 4.40 with 22 set to go to post, and I am going to go out on a limb and have an each-way play on LAVENDER HILL MOB with Hot Fuss and Stencil the two others I respect most.

Finally, the Princess Royal National Hunt Chase has attracted a cracking strength in depth entry and preference is for the Jonjo O’Neill-trained HASTHING. He looked full of stamina both when winning at Windsor and staying on well at Ascot and is well worth an each-way play.