Simon Holt Cheltenham tips

Simon Holt previews the action on the opening day of the 2011 Cheltenham Festival.

Hobbs hotpot the one to beat

The Stan James Champion Hurdle is the feature race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and unfortunately Binocular will not be back to defend his crown having been ruled out at the last minute.

One issue with the race is the pace. There's a lot of horses who want a strong gallop, the likes of Peddlers Cross, Menorah, Oscar Whisky, Hurricane Fly and Dunguib and they'll all be hoping Overturn makes it a decent test.

Menorah has fewer flaws than some of these, winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the meeting last year and two races at Cheltenham this term.

He won the Greatwood under top-weight and then the Stan James International and I've been very impressed with him.

Peddlers Cross is unbeaten and won his trial at Kelso, albeit in workmanlike style, and is impossible not to like - a remark which also applies to Hurricane Fly.

He's won all three of his starts this season, beating Solwhit in all three, and this is his first start in England but he looks a good horse with a real turn of foot.

Dunguib was odds-on when third to Menorah in the Supreme Novices' last year and remains a horse with tremendous potential. He won on his belated return at Gowran and is expected to improve for that.

It is still a tremendous renewal of the Champion Hurdle and it's Menorah for me.

Medermit is favourite for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy. I like him but worry the price is getting pretty short now as he's up against a couple of very exciting young chasers in Ghizao and Finian's Rainbow.

The thing with Medermit is he's done it before, finishing second to Go Native in the Supreme Novices' of 2009 and has run well in top company since, finishing seventh to Binocular in last year's Champion Hurdle.

His jumping has improved with experience over fences, it didn't start well but he was very good in the Scilly Isles Chase last time.

He could be the ideal horse for an Arkle in that he has is effective at two miles but does stay further.

Captain Chris, second in the Scilly Isles, represents an important formline having twice been beaten by Ghizao. Those runs suggest Paul Nicholls' charge has a real change against the favourite but I do think Captain Chris took a step forward at Sandown.

Finian's Rainbow is a lovely type and represents a good level of form. He made mistakes when held up at Warwick last time but had jumped well when allowed to bowl on in his previous starts.

Realt Dubh is probably best of the Irish team but I think this will go to one of the three English principals with Medermit getting a narrow vote. We open with the Stan James Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Cue Card will go off a warm favourite - and seems to have all the right credentials.

Again it's a price thing with him. His second behind Menorah is easily the best form on offer and I'd suggest anything better than 9-4 would make him a bet. Don't forget Dunguib was odds-on when beaten last year.

I'd prefer to have a little each-way on Tullamore Dew in the Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase.

Nick Gifford had been undecided over where to run him at the Festival and has taken to fences very well. He's an honest horse who finished second to Medermit on his latest run. He's sure to be thereabouts.

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