Gardens can bloom on dominant day for Irish

Raiders look to have the edge over home contingent in every race

- Johnny Ward

FOR an opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, 2024 is something of a mixed bag.

Constitution Hill's late defection from the feature Champion Hurdle - having been seemingly ready to lengthen his unbeaten run - followed the loss of Marine Nationale, both so impressive on this card 12 months ago.

It looks set to be a day of Irish domination, with the ground having had so much rain over the past 12 months that horses bereft of stamina will be worth opposing. The action starts with the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.30), the picture for which got rather murky after Ballyburn was rerouted elsewhere.

This race is open. Slade Steel, who chased home Ballyburn at Leopardstown, is interesting and has some upside. His stamina is assured. Mystical Power is greatly feared; the faster the ground the better for him.

Leading jockey Paul Townend rides Tullyhill, who could be hard to pass, with the hooded Mistergif described as "the unknown quantity of the race" by rider Daryl Jacob. Bookmakers can expect plenty of custom.