Cheltenham Festival kicks off today with the Champion Hurdle as the centrepiece, and respected racing analyst Donn McClean has made his selections clear. The Sunday Times chief racing writer and Racing TV regular has backed Lossiemouth as his banker for the opening day, with strong support for Talk The Talk in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Iceberg Theory as an each-way play in the National Hunt Chase.

Lossiemouth The One To Beat

McClean makes no secret of his confidence in Willie Mullins’ mare for the Champion Hurdle. Lossiemouth brings exceptional course form to Prestbury Park. Four wins from four at the track. Her overall record over hurdles stands at 13 wins from 17 starts, with three second-place finishes and just one fall.

The mare looked razor-sharp when taking the Morgiana Hurdle on seasonal debut before following up in the Grade 1 December Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. Her defeat to Brighterdaysahead in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time raised questions, but McClean sees that run as an anomaly. The decision to target the Champion Hurdle rather than defend her Mares’ Hurdle crown suggests connections share that view.

The addition of cheekpieces for the first time adds an intriguing dimension. Lossiemouth already loves Cheltenham, and any further improvement could put the race beyond doubt. Brighterdaysahead poses the biggest threat, brilliant at Leopardstown in their last meeting but yet to prove herself at Cheltenham with two previous defeats at the track.

Talk The Talk For Supreme Glory

McClean’s next best selection comes in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, where Talk The Talk could announce himself as a top-tier prospect. Joseph O’Brien’s runner would already be a dual Grade 1 winner but for an unlucky fall at the final flight in the Future Champions’ Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.

He made amends emphatically in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, coming from well back in a slowly-run race to collar Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey. That performance showcased both class and determination, with the form looking rock solid. The first three pulled nicely clear of previous Grade 2 Royal Bond Hurdle winner Koktail Brut.

Breeding suggests plenty of untapped potential. Out of a half-sister to Goshen, Talk The Talk could develop into a genuine champion hurdler. The Supreme Novices’ represents an ideal starting point for that journey.

Each-Way Value With Iceberg Theory

For the National Hunt Chase, McClean highlights Iceberg Theory as an each-way prospect stepping up significantly in trip. Paul Nolan’s chaser stayed on strongly to beat Boston Rover over two miles six and a half furlongs at Limerick last May. That form has worked out well. Boston Rover won his next three starts and now sits rated 134.

The extended distance of the National Hunt Chase should suit Iceberg Theory’s stamina strengths. While the form book offers solid foundations, the step up in class and distance makes this more speculative than McClean’s other selections, hence the each-way recommendation rather than a win bet.

McClean’s credentials speak for themselves. As ghost-writer for AP McCoy’s autobiography and a regular analyst on Racing TV, his opinions carry weight across the industry. His opening day selections balance strong favourites with calculated value plays, exactly what punters need for a successful Festival.