Newsboy has revealed his selections for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, with Talk The Talk tipped to give the Irish an early winner in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.20). The Joseph O'Brien-trained five-year-old has won three of his four starts over hurdles, including a Grade 1 success at Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival, where he rallied from the rear to beat Ballyfad by a short head. Despite a stumble at the last flight when leading at Leopardstown over Christmas, Talk The Talk showed resilience to bounce back and is expected to thrive on the uphill finish.
In the Arkle Challenge Trophy (2.00), Lulamba is fancied to extend his unbeaten record over fences for Nicky Henderson. The five-year-old French recruit has won all three chase starts, including a Grade 1 victory at Sandown and a Grade 2 success at Newbury, where he overcame early jumping issues to win by six and a half lengths. Henderson seeks a record-extending ninth Arkle triumph, with Kopek Des Bordes seen as the main danger.
Manlaga is the selection for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle (2.40), having impressed on her British debut for Henderson and JP McManus. After a promising second at Doncaster in January, she won at Haydock by two and a quarter lengths, and her BHA mark of 130 suggests she can improve further. Saratoga, Ammes, and Madness D'Elle are among the other contenders.
In the Ultima Handicap Chase (3.20), Quebecois catches the eye despite a mixed record over fences. Paul Nicholls' seven-year-old ran well at Cheltenham's Trials Day in January, finishing second in a novices' handicap chase, and the return to three miles and the track could see him finally deliver over fences.
