Champion Hurdle tips: The horses you must back on biggest Cheltenham Festival race TODAY
CHAMPION HURDLE TIPS - which horse should you back for the biggest race at Cheltenham Festival today?
Cheltenham Festival kicks off today with punters and fans alike flooding into the iconic racecourse's grounds.
The highlight of the day comes at 3.30pm when 10 horses will contest the Champion Hurdle.
The winner will claim £450,000, but most people will be concerned with the wod of notes going in their pocket.
Want to win big on the marquee race? Here are the experts tips for Tuesday's headliner.
READ MORE: The key horses you must NOT back at Cheltenham Festival today
Champion Hurdle tips
Five iconic faces in the horse racing offered their views on the 3.30pm race, speaking to Paddy Power about which horse they'd put their money on.
Ruby Walsh is riding Laurina and believes it has the potential to win but said: "She’ll have to improve by about 7lb to thwart Buveur D’air & Apple's Jade. I hope she can."
Buveur D'air was a popular favourite among other experts too.
"I’m backing Buveur D’air to win his third Champion Hurdle," said retired jockey Mick Fitzgerald.
"Apple's Jade can put it up to him but I’m worried about her tendency to jump right at her hurdles."
Meanwhile racing journalist Matt Chapman said: "Laurina is unbeaten since joining Team Mullins and looks a monster. Can take advantage of the 7lb weight allowance she gets off Buveur d’Air."
Fellow writer Kevin Blake opined: "Apple's Jade looks much improved this year and this could be her big day," while Lizzie Kelly went rogue, saying: "Everyone’s gone for the front three but I’ll go with Sharjah each-way for a bit of value."
Champion Hurdle field
Apple's Jade (J W Kennedy)
Buveur DAir (B J Geraghty)
Laurina (R Walsh)
Sharjah (P W Mullins)
Espoir DAllen (M P Walsh)
Melon (P Townsend)
Brain Power (Nico de Boinville)
Verdana Blue (D N Russell)
Global Citizen (D Bass)
Silver Streak (A Wedge)