Right, Cheltenham week is here. We’re missing a few headliners, Constitution Hill, Sir Gino, Galopin Des Champs all sidelined, but there’s still proper quality on show. The Festival always delivers. And with 28 races across the week, there’s value to be found if you know where to look.

Last year’s punting delivered a tidy 21-point profit with winners at 16/1, 14/1, and 8/1. That’s the benchmark.

Let’s see what Tuesday’s card offers.

13:20 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: Talk The Talk Each-Way at 5/1

The Supreme opener looks properly competitive this year. Old Park Star is shortening but still backable around the 3/1 mark, looks a future Arkle horse to me, one to watch for next season. Mighty Park arrives with Faugheen comparisons after just one rules run, which feels generous. El Cairos and Mydaddypaddy lead the British challenge and both merit respect.

The play here is Talk The Talk for Joseph O’Brien. The form that matters came in those two Leopardstown Grade 1s, stumbled when looking a certain winner in December, then got up right on the line at the Dublin Racing Festival. There’s improvement to come, and crucially, the long run from the last fence suits his staying power.

JJ Slevin’s booking is significant.

Half-point each-way at 5/1 offers proper value in what’s essentially a lottery.

14:00 Arkle Chase: Lulamba to Win at 7/4

This shapes as a straight shootout between Lulamba and Kopek Des Bordes. Kargese needs more than her 7lb allowance to threaten either, frankly.

Lulamba should be favourite and I’m backing him accordingly. Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old is unbeaten this season including an open company victory last month. He was the best horse in last year’s Triumph Hurdle despite the defeat, and he’s proven that form emphatically since. Kopek Des Bordes will lead into the straight and try to burn off the Supreme winner, but that lack of match practice will tell. Just one chase start back in November. Two points to win at 7/4 is the bet.

14:40 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: Three-Pronged Attack

Absolute minefield, this one.

The market has settled on Saratoga, Manlaga, and Winston Junior, but there’s value playing against them with three separate half-point punts.

Glen To Glen at 10/1 fits the Joseph O’Brien profile for this race perfectly. JJ Slevin up is a major tick, and the horse was put away after a fortunate win last time with the handicapper in mind. Nicely treated now.

Ammes at 8/1 represents the best British hope. Wouldn’t have been out of place in the Triumph but connections fancy him here. Should run a massive race.

Munsif at 8/1 scrapes in as a reserve for Charles Byrnes. If he gets the run, expect support, the flat recruit looks well handicapped with conditions ideal. Yes, I’ll be doing the tricast. It’s that kind of race.

Betting Strategy

Total outlay across the day: 5.5 points staked across five selections.

The handicap hurdle spreads the risk where the form is hardest to read. The Arkle is the confident play of the day. Talk The Talk in the Supreme offers the best each-way value on the card.

Cheltenham Festival delivers proper racing entertainment, and Tuesday’s opener sets the tone for the week. These selections target the value angles that the big money often misses in the excitement of the first day.

Best of luck to everyone having a punt.