Cheltenham Festival 2023 Day 1, Tuesday the 14th of March

1:30: Facile Vega 2/1

2:10: El Fabiolo 5/4 NAP

2:50: Happygolucky 12/1 e/w

3:30: Constitution Hill 1/3

4:10: Honeysuckle 3/1

4:50: Jazzy Matty 18/1 e/w

5:30: Gaillard Du Mesnil 5/6

1:30: I'm prepared to give FACILE VEGA another chance after the Leopardstown disappointment last time out. They went hard out front that day, but the horse was also – and possibly more importantly – reported lame after the race also. The vibes from Closutton seem to be still strong on him, and I think he still could be the best horse here.

2:10: I loved EL FABIOLO's run at Leopardstown, and I think in this he has come through a stronger test over fences than Jonbon has, so I give him the vote. He seems to be a horse with a massive engine, even though he has a mistake in him as we saw the last day. But there is something potentially exciting about him, I think, and it was interesting to hear Andrew McNamara saying on the radio over the weekend that he heard afterwards that Willie Mullins fancied him at the DRF over Appreciate It and Dysart Dynamo, even though the market didn't reflect that. He's my main bet tomorrow.

2:50: HAPPYGOLUCKY was second in this race two years' ago when favourite, and his course form here is good. Corach Rambler could go very well again, though, but I think my selection could be a strong each way player.

3:30: Looking forward to watching the Champion Hurdle. The straight Constitution Hill/State Man forecast is a potential bet, but I don't have a huge interest in this race from a betting perspective. Should be a spectacle though!

4:10: I'm fairly bullish about HONEYSUCKLE here! There's all the sentimentality with her last run etc, and I know they say there's no sentiment in sport, but I don't buy into all the talk of her being on the downgrade. Yes, she's been beaten, but I think her form is still stronger than Marie's Rock who I think is the main danger in this race. Soft ground isn't a worry for her, and I really think she's going to run a massive race here on her final outing. Brandy Love could be the one with most potential to improve, but I think she has it all to prove as well. Again, really looking forward to this race regardless!

4:50: I liked Sir Allen here initially, but I'm going to take a chance on another horse from the Naas race he won in JAZZY MATTY for Gordon Elliott. He gave Sir Allen weight that day, and he has some nice form behind Comfort Zone – and ahead of Tekao – in a Navan maiden last November also, so I think he could have an each way chance at a bigger price.

5:30: Not a race the really whet the appetite, possibly, but I think GDM is by far the best horse here, and at around even money, I think he could offer some value.

Best of luck all! Let's hope it's a good one!

HONEYSUCKLE!!!