The Cheltenham Festival offers young horses the chance to make their mark at the biggest National Hunt event of the year and between now and the 2012 renewal the three times Racing Post NAPS Champion Paul Jacobs will be giving you his thoughts on the novice HURDLE events on this page with ante-post previews, definitive selections and the major Cheltenham odds and price changes as they happen so you can stay ahead of the game. Paul also has a definitive page for his Cheltenham NOVICE CHASE tips and the big senior GRADE ONE events for Cheltenham Festival 2012.

Triumph Hurdle Tips –

Recommended Bet – GRUMETI (each-way) @ 12/1

(* Price right as of Jan 10th) - Price now - 5/1

TIPPING PREVIEW - This is a contest where the ante-post betting market doesn’t really mature until at least mid-February, remember the Adonis Hurdle (won in 2011 by Zarkandar) is not run until the backend of that month. This year a high standard has already been set by Baby Mix after his impressive debut run in the Triumph Hurdle Trial on December 10th at Cheltenham. That day he readily skipped clear of the well regarded Hinterland (gave seven pounds) and is a clear favourite for the four-year-old championship.

GRUMETI is next in the market and I was very impressed by his hurdling when he readily outpaced Ted Spread and company at Taunton. The form of that run has yet to be tested, but there is no reason to believe it isn’t well above average and because he travels so well the faster pace he will undoubtedly get in the big race will suit. His fall at Newbury when having the race under wraps only served to enhance his standing and even if you missed by double figure price, 8/1 still seems fair value and is preferred to the highly touted Minsk (yet to jump a hurdle in public), Ut De Sivola (impressive on his only start in a maiden for Willie Mullins) and highly rated Nicholls’ import Dildar. But do be aware even at this stage of proceedings we have yet to see only a fraction of the full picture for this event.

BET NOW – GRUMETI (each-way)

Albert Bartlett Hurdle Tips -

Recommended Bet – FINGAL BAY (each-way) @ 7/1 (non-runner)

(*Price right as of Jan 10th)

TIPPING PREVIEW - The Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle has always been a betting favourite of mine and I still aim to have a bet on the race despite our original entry Fingal Bay being declared a non-runner. (an update will appear heer shortly)