LiveScore Racing Preview: Cheltenham, October 22, 2021

The opening fixture of the 2021-22 campaign at Cheltenham takes place on Friday — and it is the first of a two-day meeting at the home of jumps racing.

There are seven races on the card, with the opening contest taking place at 1.55pm.

We have picked five horses for you to follow. 

1.55pm - Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (2m4f)

Philip Hobbs' gelding CAMPROND has been busy over the summer. 

The three-time hurdles winner featured in a Grade Three contest at Haydock last season, finishing third of 14 in a race won by Copperlesse. 

He has since improved and is a much better horse now.

The five-year-old proved his class time out when he prevailed in the Grade Two Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow, scoring by five lengths. 

Hobbs' runner is the classiest horse in this small field and he should take some beating.

LiveScore selection: Camprond

2.30pm - squareintheair.com Novices' Chase (2m)

THIRD TIME LUCKI ended last season at the highest level over hurdles, finishing fourth in a Grade One race at Aintree. 

He has since had a wind op, a procedure that may see him go on to improve on the track.

This is Dan Skelton runner's first appearance over fences after starting last season with three wins from his opening four runs — expect to see another strong start from the first-year chaser.

LiveScore selection: Third Time Lucki

3.05pm - 888sport What's Your Thinking Novices' Hurdle (2m7f)

Earlier this year, GRACE A VOUS ENKI moved to Paul Nicholls' yard following two victories over fences in France at Auteuil. 

This horse is an exciting recruit for the Ditcheat team. 

He made his UK debut at Worcester (2m7f) earlier this month, where he had to settle for second place, finishing less than a length behind the winner.

This French recruit should step up on that performance, he has a lot of experience for his age and his connections will be expecting big things from him this season.

LiveScore selection: Grace A Vous Enki

3.40pm - 888sport Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (1m)

Grade Two winning hurdler FAIVOIR made a winning start over fences on his chase debut at Uttoxeter (2m) on his seasonal reappearance. 

He was not fluent over all of his obstacles, but he can be forgiven for that.

This is his second outing since having wind surgery and there is likely to be much more to come from this horse. 

He will need to concede weight to the rest of the field, but he can do and double his tally over fences.

LiveScore selection: Faivoir

4.15pm - Abu Dhabi Digital Exchange Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)

GUARD YOUR DREAMS won three times over hurdles last season. 

He produced a career-best finish of third behind My Drogo and Minella Drama in the Grade One Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

Nigel Twiston-Davies' hurdler is now off a mark of 140, so a big run will be needed on his opening start of the season. 

He remains open to improvement and victory can come here before a return to graded action.

LiveScore selection: Guard Your Dreams