The opening day of Cheltenham proved profitable with Klassical Dream (6-1) and A Plus Tard (5-1) both winning well as well as Stormy Ireland (7-1) coming second.

Let’s hope for more of the same on day two - although today's cards look even trickier to solve.

Ballymore Novices Hurdle

Champ, named after AP McCoy, is sure to be popular and will be vying for favouritism with Irish fancy Battleoverdoyen.

The latter comfortably beat Sams Profile last time out, but I fancy that form can be reversed. However, that was Sams Profile’s first run of the season and he will be much sharper for that and a tougher stamina trip can play into his hands. At double-figure odds he rates an excellent each-way selection.

City Island has some superb form figures, but this will be the softest ground he has encountered which is a concern.

  • Prediction: 1 Sams Profile 2 Champ 3 Battleoverdoyen 4 City Island

RSA Novices’ Chase

Santini was one of my big fancies coming into the meeting, but his recent well-documented issues are a cause for concern.

But if anyone can get a horse ready for a big race it is Nicky Henderson. His last run at Kempton was encouraging on a sharp track that did not look to suit. This is much more up his street and he is taken to land the spoils.

Delta Work is the obvious main rival. He has won his last three races, two of which were Grade 1s. The Irish will be lumping on and he is likely to start favourite.

Topofthegame can complete the first three.

  • Prediction: 1 Santini 2 Delta Work 3 Topofthegame

Coral Cup

Bleu Berry won this race last year and will have conditions to suit. But his form has been awful since victory and it would be some feat to repeat his heroics of 12 months ago. However, he could sneak into a place.

Willie Mullins runs six and Uradel looks his best chance. He has been campaigned with this race in mind and is sure to be popular.

Backing a horse first time out in this ground is always a risk but Gordon Elliott will have Diamond Cauchois ready. His charge won over today’s trip in soft ground last February and has won twice on his return from a break so gets a tentative vote.

At bigger odds Highest Sun and Tully East are worth a second look, despite the latter’s shocking recent form.

  • Prediction: 1 Diamond Cauchois 2 Uradel 3 Tully East 4 Bleu Berry 5 Highest Sun

Queen Mother Champion Chase

The banker of the meeting. Altior is simply head and shoulders above his rivals and barring accidents should win again.

Min is likely to fill one of the places with the other likely to be your best bet of getting some money back with the field 14-1 bar the first two.

God’s Own can outrun his odds to claim third.

  • Prediction: 1 Altior 2 Min 3 God’s Own

Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase

Tiger Roll will be extremely short odds – and rightly so.

However, I like the each-way chances of Ballycasey. He is a class animal and ran respectably the first time he tackled these fences. That will put him in good stead for this and he looks over-priced.

Enda Bolger is the master of this race and Auvergnat looks a solid each-way proposition.

  • Prediction: 1 Tiger Roll 2 Ballycasey 3 Auvergnat

Fred Winter Hurdle

A host of big-priced winners have landed this race over the years and I fancy another to defy big odds today.

Star Max has impressed in big fields so will not be hampered by a lot of runners. He ground of victory well last time and while further improvement will be necessary, looks to have potential.

Band Of Outlaws is proven in testing conditions but is another who will have to improve further to get involved.

Got Trumped ran in Grade 1 company last time and although may be more exposed than most, will appreciate the drop back in class.

Lethal Steps and Fine Brunello are also worth a second glance.

  • Prediction: 1 Star Max 2 Band Of Outlaws 3 Got Trumped 4 Lethal Steps

Champion Bumper

Envoi Allen has looked a hot prospect this season and has every chance of maintaining his unbeaten run.

But Blue Sari was mightly impressive and the fact he is Willie Mullins’s only runner in a race the trainer usually sends a host of horses to might be a tip in itself.

Master Debonair has won at Cheltenham before and can complete the top three.

  • Prediction: 1 Blue Sari 2 Envoi Allen 3 Master Debonair