The day that we have all been waiting for is here. Jump racing is back at HQ.

For all jump racing fans, this is the day that marks the return of the jump race.

A seven-race card from Cheltenham plants the seeds of what promised to be a jump season to remember.

Here, I will give you my best bets for the opening day of Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting and the best online horse racing bookmakers to make your next bet a winning one.

Best Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting betting tips

Cheltenham 1:50 – San Salvador 9/2

Cheltenham 2:25 – Matata 11/4

Cheltenham 3:35 – Strictlyadancer 12/1

Cheltenham 1:50 – William Hill Top Price Guarantee Novices’ Chase (2m)

The defection of the Dan Skelton-trained L’Eau du Sud has made this race more open, even with just five runners.

Path d’Oroux is a horse who I could simply not back at his current odds, given his record over fences (10 runs, 0 wins). He is a horse that will always travel like he is going to pull away from his rivals, but there have been several times when he is let down for his effort and finds nowhere near as much as you would have thought.

On the other hand, SAN SALVADOR has suddenly found a new lease of life over fences.

Since his eye-catching fourth behind Jesse Evans at Galway and the change to hold-up tactics, San Salvador has not looked back.

Things finally clicked at Listowel when he beat the much more fancied stablemate Jordans by over one length (who won the next time out).

An even better display followed when San Salvador took a Grade 3 Novice Chase at Roscommon in the style of a horse going places. There is substance to that Grade 3 as the third Thecompanysergeant was not far behind some good horses last season, notably Spillane’s Tower in the Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.

He meets Shecouldbeanything on the same terms as when they met at Galway and must turn over a four-length deficit.

There is clear evidence that he will be more than capable of giving weight away to all his rivals here, and given the rapid progression from San Salvador, I see him being hard to beat.

Current Betting: Path d’Oroux 6/5, Shecouldbeanything 5/2, San Salvador 9/2, Jazzy Matty 16/1, Novle Anthem 50/1.

Bet on San Salvador with Paddy Power

Cheltenham 2:25 – squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (2m)

Last season’s first and second look set to go head-to-head once again.

Dancing On My Own, who was two lengths in front of Triple Trade that day, may find things tougher this time, even though he is only 2lb above last season’s winning mark.

Many will have chances of getting their season off to a winning start in this race, but they may find it hard to pass the front-running MATATA.

Looking at his profile, he is best when fresh, and given that he is off a rating of 147, I would suspect that his in-form trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, will have him ready to go in search of a big early-season pot.

He started last season with a faultless display from the front at Ffos Las, beating Cruz Control by ten lengths. He has since recorded three victories, the highlight being the Premier Handicap Chase at the Aintree Grand National Festival.

Having run well to finish second on New Year’s Day back at Cheltenham and then a half-length second to JPR One in the Grade 2 Lighting Novices’ Chase at Lingfield, he found Grade 1 company too hot to handle at the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree.

Back in handicap company today, and with the likelihood that no one will want to set the same fractions as him, an easy lead could be on the cards.

He jumps well in a rhythm and will prove hard to reel in.

Current Betting: Matata 11/4, Dancing On My Own 9/2, Calico 13/2, Arclight 7/1, Triple Trade 7/1, Scarface 10/1, 16/1 bar.

Bet on Matata with bet365

Cheltenham 3:35 – Glenfarclas Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (3m1f)

It’s a hugely competitive field lining for the Glenfarclas Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase, but one who stands out to me is STRICTLYADANCER.

He won this race back in 2021 off a mark of 110 and was fourth in last year’s running with 11lb more on his back. He failed to run to that level again last season and has since been dropped to a mark that sees him two pounds lower than last season.

But what is more encouraging than his drop in the weights is that he showed clear signs that he may be about to bounce back to form with an eyecatching run at Chepstow at the start of the month.

Having made smooth headway up the home straight, a mistake two out halted his progress. Nonetheless, that was an encouraging run.

Now, back at a track where he is two from four, and with Edward Vaughan’s seven-pound claim as an added bonus, there is every chance that he will be bang there fighting out the finish.

Current Betting: Are U Wise To That 6/1, Ceanndana 15/2, Atlanta Brave 8/1, Mole Court 8/1, Strictlyadancer 11/1, Jacks Parrot 12/1, The Newest One 12/1, 14/1 bar.

Bet on Strictlyadancer with Betano

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing

Only gambles with money they can afford to lose

Never chase their losses

Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed

Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk

GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.