Racing tips: Ross Millar's Cheltenham bets and three Monday fancies

The wait is so very nearly over, and after a winter of talk the Festival action begins on Tuesday and kicks off with what looks to be one of the hottest Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdles for many years.

I have picked my two best bets for the opening day at Cheltenham, along with a few selections from Taunton and Plumpton on Monday.

1.30 Cheltenham: Dysart Dynamo

A host of talented performers line up with a number suggesting they might have ‘star’ potential.

Constitution Hill has undeniably looked impressive in two wins at Sandown, but he is going to have to handle ground much quicker than he faced on that occasion – Saturday's action highlighting just how testing the Esher course can ride.

However, I have no such ground concerns for Dysart Dynamo and every bit of his form suggests he can be the real deal. He pulverised the now 131-rated Gordon Dai Dai on yielding ground at Punchestown and has since gone from strength to strength in two facile hurdling victories.

Many have pointed to his suspect temperament and have suggested the atmosphere could be his undoing ahead of the Fesival curtain-raiser; the Mullins team managed the highly-strung Klassical Dream to win this previously so I have no concerns there.

I expect Dysart Dynamo to make much of the running and get the Irish off to a flying start.

5.30 Cheltenham: Stattler

The National Hunt Chase is low on quantity but high on quality.

Vanillier was victorious in the Albert Bartlett last year but hasn’t progressed in four chase starts and doesn’t look a confident jumper. Second-season novice Run Wild Fred has stacks of experience and will have the assistance of Jamie Codd, which makes him a strong contender.

I prefer Stattler, who lacks chasing experience but has impressed me with his jumping. He looked a dour stayer as a novice hurdler so I was impressed to see him show a hitherto unseen gear when winning over 2m5f at Fairyhouse on chase debut. He then showed tough battling qualities to beat the smart Farouk D’Alene at Naas with the form looking solid given Vanillier was eighteen lengths away in third.

Patrick Mullins targets this race and, while he’s been wide of the mark at times, I fully expect him to hit the bullseye this time.

3.10 Taunton: Wandrin Star

He’s a slightly enigmatic character, but I’m hopeful arriving here fresh after a break will see Wandrin Star put his best foot forward.

I’m prepared to overlook his run in the Veterans' Final at Sandown last time as I suspect, like many in that race, he simply didn’t handle the desperate ground. His previous win at Sandown looks like solid form given he beat the now 128-rated Gwencily Berbas by six lengths despite conceding a stone.

All his best form has come when fresh, so a three-month break since his last start boosts confidence. The sharp nature of the Taunton track is a minor concern with his best form appearing to come on more galloping tracks, but Wandrin Star has won at the right-handed Wincanton.

Of the opposition, Revels Hill and Some Detail arrive in good form but the former has a 7lb higher mark to deal with while the latter steps up in grade here.

3.20 Plumpton: On My Command

Harry Fry looks to have found an ideal opportunity for On My Command to get back to winning ways.

She found the competitive Lanzarote Hurdle a bit too hot to handle last time but did shape better than the result might suggest, travelling well and only dropping back through the field turning into the straight. The soft ground at Kempton certainly wouldn’t have aided her cause.

It could well be that Omn My Command will have improved for that experience and now drops back into considerably calmer waters in this Class 4 contest against her own sex.

Ruby Yeats returned to form with a course and distance win last time, but she was firmly put in her place by On My Command over this track and trip on her penultimate start. While she gets a 14lb pull at the weights I can't see that being enough back on better ground.

3.45 Taunton: Dibble Decker

Tom Lacey has his yard in excellent form and I fancy that Dibble Decker remains thoroughly unexposed after his fine second on handicap debut at Warwick.

His mark of 117 look workable given he was only beaten a length by the now 122-rated Osprey Call last time when in receipt of just 1lb.

Amelia’s Dance has been consistent all season but has consequently received no respite from the handicapper and remains 5lbs higher than her last winning mark, while Super Six could be the danger but has looked a weak finisher so far. He could find improvement on his second run after a breathing operation and on handicap debut, but his mark looks high enough and I'm keen to side with the solid and unexposed Dibble Decker as a result.