Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Day 1 Preview: Cheltenham Tips, Odds, Trends and free bets

Delta Work wins the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival

The Showcase Meeting is the first hosted by Cheltenham for the 2020/21 season. Jumps racing’s return home is marked by a seven-race card, including a number of competitive novice races and handicaps. The likes of Champagne Well, Lil Rockerfeller, Black Corton, Saint Calvados and Al Dancer have all won on the first day of the meeting in recent years.

All the action can be watched on RacingTV, with the service showing all seven races. ITV4 will have coverage of the first four races too for those wanting a terrestrial option.

The Showcase Meeting: Day 1 Cheltenham Races

1.50 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (2) – 2m 5f (ITV4)
2.25 – Matchbook Better Way To Bet Novices’ Chase (2) – 3m (ITV4)
3.00 – squareintheair.com Handicap Hurdle (3) – 2m 5f (ITV4)
3.35 – Bentley Flying Spur Handicap Chase (2) – 2m (ITV4)
4.10 – Catesby Estates Maiden Hurdle (3) – 2m (RTV)
4.45 – Two Farmers Crisps Novices’ Chase (2) – 2m (RTV)
5.15 – Back And Lay At Matchbook Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2) – 1m (RTV)

Players can watch the top-class action from Cheltenham live via bookmaker apps after placing a bet. If you don’t have an account, then now is the best time to check out our free bets page for the best offers.

The Showcase Meeting: Day 1 Cheltenham Tips and Odds

The opener on Friday is a 2m 5f Novices’ Hurdle and Ask For Glory looks to continue the strong stable form of Paul Nicholls. He made it second-time lucky over timber with a facile success at Wincanton stepped up in distance. He’s unexposed and looks potentially classy.

Gordon Elliott sends over the exciting Galvin for the Novices’ Chase and he has lofty aspirations this term. He’s won his last three chasing starts, including a Grade 3, and sets the standard in this field as a result.

A Grade 2 winner over timber, Rogue Vif remains an exciting prospect over fences. He’s won two of his five runs thus far, including the Grade 2 Kingmaker at Warwick. He’s sat on an exploitable mark and he won on seasonal return twelve months ago, which gives him excellent claims.

The Showcase Meeting: Day 1 Stats and Trends

Paul Nicholls arrives to the meeting holding a 39% strike-rate from his last 41 runners
David Bass and Kim Bailey have a 36% strike-rate when teaming up in the past 14 days
Henry Brooke and Rebecca Menzies have teamed up for three winners from their last four runners

Paul Nicholls arrives to the meeting having started the season in rampant form. Harry Cobden has been riding at the peak of his powers and the pairing have a few excellent chances on the first day.

David Bass and Kim Bailey have been a deadly combination in the past fourteen days, with a 36% strike-rate from nineteen recent runners. Even more potent is the combination of Rebecca Menzies and Henry Brooke, with the pair teaming up for three winners from their last four. Brooke has just one mount on Friday, the Menzies trained Return Ticket in the 4.45pm.

The Showcase Meeting: Cheltenham Free Bets

Get a head start with your Cheltenham bets by signing up to a bookmaker account and claiming a free bet. With eight races each day, bookmaker free bets can come in handy and during the Showcase Meeting.

Firms will be competing with one another for the best offers. We have selected the best offers for The Showcase Meeting Day 1 below, or you can view our free bets page for all the latest offers and free bets.