Alex Hammond Cheltenham tips for day one

Horse racing tipster Alex Hammond has been talking to Sky Sports about her fancies for the Cheltenham Festival which begins next week.

On the Supreme Novices Hurdle she comments:

“I’m firmly in the Facile Vega camp. Connell feels Marine Nationale is practically unbeatable and I was swayed having listened to his reasoning, but I’m hoping Facile Vega bounces back from his disappointing run at the Dublin Racing Festival to get Willie Mullins off to the perfect start.

He’s 7/4 favourite with Sky Bet, Marine Nationale is next best at 7/2″

The Champion Hurdle is the feature race of the day at 15:30 and its one which punters will be most looking forward too.

Alex Hammond thinks this one should be a watching brief only:

“Constitution Hill isn’t appealing as a betting prospect at 1/3, I’d like to see him win and do something special.

If Sharjah takes up his engagement in the race I’ll be on him each way at a whopping 40/1.

He’s been runner-up in this race twice and it’s worth a punt at the price if he lines up again (he’s also in the Stayers’ and the County Hurdle)”

Of the Mares Hurdle, Hammond fancies the Willie Mullins horses:

“Honeysuckle making her swansong in the race and another former Champion Hurdle winner, Epatante, also in the field.

Brandy Love looks progressive for Willie Mullins and the rain and snow that’s fallen will be music to the ears of Love Envoi’s trainer Harry Fry. And then there’s the small matter of Shewearsitwell.”