The final race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival looks another fiercely competitive affair. Punters who can pick the winner will be heading into day two of the meeting in profit.
Alan King’s Bless The Wings (15/2,
Blue Square) heads the betting for the race and the team behind the seven-year-old will hope that there is more improvement in the locker. Equally, Hunt Ball (7/1,
Ladbrokes) and Ackertac (14/1,
Coral) should go close, but Nicky Henderson’s
TRIOLO D’ALENE (7/1,
Ladbrokes) looks a very smart prospect and he could end the day on a high for the legendary trainer.
The French import won on his only start in Britain, finishing ahead of Ackertac in the process and his jumping was very impressive at times. A fine looking chaser, he should be able to cope with his 9lb hike in the weights and the 7/1 on offer makes plenty of each-way appeal.
Nick Wilby’s selection –
Triolo D’Alene 7/1,
Ladbrokes