14:00 Cheltenham Tips: Arkle might not be cut and dried – each-way value?

The second race on Day 1 is the Arkle Challenge Trophy, named in honour of the great steeplechaser of the 60s who won three Gold Cups on the spin from 1964.

The cream of the two-mile fencing novices get the chance to show what they're made of and look to fill some pretty big shoes from the past - winners have included the likes of Flyingbolt (a previous Supreme hero), Pendil, Moscow Flyer, Sprinter Sacre and Altior, to cherry-pick just a few. Spoiler alert - there's another hotpot ...

Arkle Challenge Trophy Odds

Cheltenham Betting Odds

Jango Baie each-way @ 7/1

We have a very warm favourite for this in the shape of Majborough, for Willie Mullins/JP McManus and JP's retained rider Mark Walsh. Last season's Triumph Hurdle hero is two-from-two over fences including the Irish Arkle, the best piece of form on offer in the race.

Only five are scheduled to start unfortunately, but it's still a can't-miss contest for me. I'm happy to let Majborough run and perhaps even win at such a skinny price, but with the each-way terms 1/4 the odds, 2 places I'm going to play accordingly and perhaps try, in the friendliest possible way, to get the jolly beaten.

First up - Jango Baie, from the Henderson yard of Sprinter, Altior etc. This six-year-old French-bred is a son of smart Gallic hurdler Tiger Groom, and in two outings over the larger obstacles has done well - a win and a short-head second to the useful Handstands.

He won here on chase debut beating Springwell Bay who's obliged since in a G3, but an important point is that he steps back to 2m from 2.5m this afternoon. Having that extra bit of stamina up your sleeve is no bad thing here and as a habitual strong traveller perhaps jockey Nico de Boinville will make plenty of use of him?

The fav has made some novicey errors of late, totally understandably, and it might not be an absolute done deal that he saunters past the jamstick in front. This fella could be one of two I hope that could pick up the pieces, or at least get in the first two, if JP's charge is vulnerable in any way.

What Nico and Nicky don't know about 2m chasers can't possibly be worth knowing and this should be a thriller.

Touch Me Not each-way @ 14/1

My other top-two hope is a Gordon Elliott-trained, Jack Kennedy-ridden six-year-old gelding who races in the Tiger Roll livery of Gigginstown Stud.

Touch Me Not has 9l to find on Majborough on February's Irish Arkle form but he won well at Punchestown and ran creditably in the Henry VIII at Sandown against one of today's rivals L'Eau du Sud (beaten 3.75l). The Skelton conveyance is around a 9/2 shot and I feel Gordon's offers a bit of genuine value in comparison.

He's a decent horse from an outstanding yard that's got a wee bit more fencing experience than some, and I can't let that price go without a little e/w tickle.

It will be fast and furious, no quarter asked or given, and a spectacular sight to behold. Can't wait.

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Cheltenham Tips from Betfred Insights.