UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

There seems to be little between Defi Du Seuil and LOSTINTRANSLATION judged on their clashes in the Dipper and Scilly Isles this season, but with the latter getting the better of the argument here in January and with the recent rainfall possibly more in his favour, he edges the vote for Colin Tizzard and Robbie Power. The former did win the Triumph Hurdle here a couple of years ago, however, and Barry Geraghty should be able to sit and stalk his main rival in this contest, while Real Steel, who has won his last couple of starts by a combined total of 20 lengths, looks best of the Irish challengers. Vinndication looked like missing this race until a few days ago so his homework has obviously picked up, while Kildisart is hard to dismiss having won over a slightly longer trip at this track in January.
Prediction : 1st Lostintranslation 2nd Defi Du Seuil 3rd Real Steel

Gordon Elliott saddled the one-two in this last season and has a strong hand once again. A Toi Phil is a Graded level chaser who caught the eye when reverting to timber last time to qualify at Punchestown and appears well treated off a hurdles rating 5lb lower than his chase mark. However, his stablemate SIRE DU BERLAIS grabbed plenty of attention when sixth in the Leopardstown Christmas qualifier won by Cuneo and is just 1lb higher than when finishing fourth in the Martin Pipe at last year's Festival. Ireland's hand is strengthened by the Jessica Harrington pair Not Many Left and Walk To Freedom, while Joseph O'Brien's Thermistocles is closely matched and has to be respected. First Assignment scored twice here in the autumn and has been running to a respectable level of form since, finishing third at Warwick last time, while Notwhatiam was fourth that day and could have plenty more left in the locker. Flemcara and Samburu Shujaa both impressed when winning recent qualifiers and have to be considered, while the switch back to timber can help Theclockisticking who is unexposed over this trip.
Prediction : 1st Sire Du Berlais 2nd A Toi Phil 3rd First Assignment

Willie Mullins has a strong hand here with 2017 winner Un De Sceaux, who will benefit from the rain that fell earlier in the week, and last season's Arkle scorer Footpad. Things haven't gone to plan for the seven-year-old following that emphatic victory 12 months ago, but the vibes have been positive recently and stretching out in distance shouldn't pose him any problems. Last year's Gold Cup fourth Road To Respect hasn't done much wrong in three starts over 3m this season and must enter calculation cutting back in trip, but it might pay to side with MONALEE. Like with the last-named, connections have decided to come here rather than have a crack at the Blue Riband on Friday and their decision could be rewarded by this wonderfully consistent son of Milan, who has placed at the last couple of Festivals. He's had a lovely prep, comfortably winning the Red Mills at Gowran last time, and everything looks in place for him to run another huge race.
Prediction : 1st Monalee 2nd Footpad 3rd Road To Respect

PAISLEY PARK marked himself as a contender for this when taking the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and confirmed himself as the one they all have to beat when winning the Cleeve Hurdle in emphatic style over course and distance on Trials Day, 12 lengths clear of West Approach (second) and Black Op (third). He has the perfect profile for this and looks sure to be doing his best work late up the hill. Faugheen would be a popular winner if able to roll back the years and was a winner over the trip at Punchestown last year, while Willie Mullins saddles a few including Bacardys, who was in contention when falling in this 12 months ago. Kilbricken Storm landed the Albert Bartlett at last year's Festival and looks to repeat the feat achieved by Penhill. He is interesting reverting to hurdles following a spell chasing, with Top Notch another to consider switching to the smaller obstacles.
Prediction : 1st Paisley Park 2nd Kilbricken Storm 3rd Top Notch

Siruh Du Lac is five from seven over fences thus far and produced a career-best performance when edging out JANIKA in similar company over C&D in late January, but the latter could turn the tables. Nicky Henderson's charge is 4lb better off at these weights for a head beating and the rain that fell earlier in the week will do him no harm, having won three times on heavy ground in France before joining this stable. Spiritofthegames is just 1lb higher than when placed over track and trip on the same card as the aforemention pair and he should give another good account, while Kalondra also enjoys the demands of Prestbury Park and merits a place on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Janika 2nd Siruh Du Lac 3rd Spiritofthegames

Willie Mullins has won this race three times since it was added to the Festival calendar in 2016 and runs seven here, although he doesn't look to have a star this time and all of them could be worth opposing. The most interesting of them is probably My Sister Sarah given she is the choice of Ruby Walsh, but she hasn't looked as flashy as EPATANTE this season. The five-year-old wears a hood, which should help her to cope with the raucous atmosphere at this track, and she looks to have the speed to cope with this 2m test. Posh Trish is a solid yardstick having won a Listed bumper at the track in 2017, while she boasts plenty of experience over hurdles having won her last three in this sphere. Connections of Sinoria would have been disappointed that Honeysuckle was ruled out of this last week but she looks a talented mare in her own right, while Emily Moon is worth a mention at a big price for Jessica Harrington.
Prediction : 1st Epatante 2nd Posh Trish 3rd Sinoria

MEASUREOFMYDREAMS made an encouraging return to action following a 667-day break at Fairyhouse last month and he should only improve for that outing. He has good course form, having chased home Minella Rocco and Native Rival in the National Hunt Chase three years ago, and he should take plenty of beating. His stablemate Its All Guesswork could prove to be the main threat having run well over hurdles last time out and he should relish this test of stamina. Any Second Now often runs well in these type of events and he should be thereabouts once again, while No Comment and Just A Sting are also respected.
Prediction : 1st Measureofmydreams 2nd Its All Guesswork 3rd Any Second Now