GIVE IT SOME WELLY, MISS KELLY
Lizzie Kelly TOP FEMALE JUMP JOCKEY
LIZZIE KELLY will be going for glory when she becomes the first woman jockey for 33 years to ride in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.
But before Lizzie partners Tea For Two in the Festival showpiece, the 23-year- old will be giving Sportsmail readers the inside track on which horses to back over the four days of the meeting, starting today. Lizzie had two winners at the New Year’s Day meeting at Cheltenham, so is perfectly placed to find those elusive Festival winners.
The big race today is the Champion Hurdle and Lizzie, who does not have a runner, is tipping 7-1 chance Brain Power to be first past the post.
ALtHOUGH I don’t have any rides on the first day of this year’s Festival, the Champion Hurdle is one of my favourite races.
Alan King’s Yanworth heads the betting but opinions differ over his best distance. I believe he is better over further than today’s trip of two miles, although his stamina will play to his strengths when faced with the famous Cheltenham hill to the finish line.
that makes BRAIN POWER good value at around 6-1. He has shown plenty of ability.
the excitement begins with the supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Irish trainer Willie Mullins is renowned for having an excellent first day and Melon looked fantastic when he won at Leopardstown.
Altior is the hot favourite for the Arkle Chase for good reason. I just can’t see him being beaten — and King’s Label Des Obeaux is my pick in the Ultima Handicap Chase.
I don’t see much point in picking short-priced favourites in the big handicaps and at 14-1 he’s a good each-way bet. Label Des Obeaux has won his last two races and is clearly improving.
In the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle, I absolutely love Vroum Vroum Mag, but Mullins’s stable jockey Ruby Walsh has chosen her stablemate Limini — a clear indication of how he sees the race going.
However, from an each-way point of view I’m confident Jer’s Girl will give a good account of herself. she’s a real tough one!
In the Jt McNamara National Hunt Chase, Beware the Bear ridden by sam twiston-Davies, who certainly knows his way around Cheltenham, is a fresh contender who will go well on the ground.
Foxtail Hill is my pick in the last. His trainer, Nigel twiston-Davies, is in great form.
son Willy takes the mount and he has also been flying since he returned to jumping from the Flat.