Its that time of year again, the pinnacle of National Hunt jumps racing, the Cheltenham festival.
In the UK, jumps racing is as popular as flat racing and shares a similar profile.
In Ireland its popularity far outweighs that of flat racing. Every March the Cheltenham festival becomes the racing Olympics where English, Irish and sometimes French horses go to battle.
The main race on day one is the Champion Hurdle over two miles for four years olds and older.
The reigning champion Hurricane Fly is in fantastic form having won his last nine races.
He was particularly impressive last time out at Leopardstown in Irish Champion Hurdle when seeing off Our Conor.
He will however have to defy history by becoming the first horse 10 years and older since Sea Pigeon won 23 years ago.
If he does win he will be up there with the all time greats like Night Nurse and Istabraq.
Our Conor has improved with every race this year and has form at the festival having romped home by 15 lengths as a novice hurdler last year.
My Tent or Yours has been a superstar so far this season having won all three starts including defeating the New One in the Christmas Hurdle.
He has never won at Cheltenham and has been subject to recent injury scare.
He has been given the all clear but it still puts in doubt into the mind of a punter.
This years favourite The New One loves Cheltenham having won there three out four starts.
He goes into this fresh having not run since Christmas.
Tips
1. Hurricane Fly.
2. The New One.
3. Our Conor.
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