UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

SIR EREC was a very classy operator on the Flat, winning at Listed level and finishing a creditable third behind Stradivarius on Champions Day in the Long Distance Cup. He's left a favourable impression on both starts over timber, travelling and jumping well when beating Tiger Tap Tap by a neck in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown in December and then confirming his superiority over the Willie Mullins-trained runner when making all in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle (with Gardens of Babylon second). Despite stepping on a stone last week, he has been deemed fit enough to declare and as such, he rates the one to beat. Although being something of an unknown on his first start in the UK, Paul Nicholls' Pic D'Orhy is worth considering in view of the high-class form he's shown in France. His stable's hand is strengthened further by the reliable and consistent Quel Destin, who holds Adjali on their Grade 1 run at Chepstow in December and boasts winning course form, having landed the Triumph Trial here back in November.
Prediction : 1st Sir Erec 2nd Pic DOrhy 3rd Quel Destin

Mohaayed and Bridget Andrews combined to take this last season, but return off a stone higher mark which makes life much tougher, so it may be Ch'tibello who carries the main Skelton hopes in a race they have a fine record in. Willie Mullins' Whiskey Sour was third last year and is only 3lb higher now so may fare best of those returning from the 2018 renewal, while he also saddles Mr Adjudicator, who was second in last year's Triumph Hurdle and was last seen chasing home Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D'Allen in a Naas Grade 3. However, preference is for ECLAIR DE BEAUFEU, who has won two useful contests this season before finishing fourth behind a progressive handicapper and some former Festival winners in his first handicap appearance at Leopardstown. He could be ahead of the assessor and the pick of the Gordon Elliott trio in this. Leoncavallo would have a chance if repeating his Galway Hurdle third, with Taunton winner Capitaine and Imperial Cup pair Monsieur Lecoq (second) and Storm Rising (fourth) others capable of getting in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Eclair De Beaufeu 2nd Mr Adjudicator 3rd Whiskey Sour

In an open-looking renewal, the tentative suggestion is Rebecca Curtis' LISNAGAR OSCAR, who backed up his 2m4f Chepstow success from subsequent winner Dickie Diver with a 10-length romp in a 3m Grade 2 at Haydock last month. Commander Of Fleet stayed on strongly when winning from Rhinestone over 2m6f last time and promises to be suited by this stiffer test, while Birchdale, although a rather fortunate winner here in January when Brewin'upastorm fell at the last, harbours untapped potential over staying distances and merits shortlist inclusion. Others to consider include game front-runner Derrinross and Allaho, the latter of whom raced freely when striking at Clonmel and may settle better now racing in a bigger field.
Prediction : 1st Lisnagar Oscar 2nd Derrinross 3rd Commander Of Fleet

There seems no better place to start than with last year's winner NATIVE RIVER and, with Colin Tizzard's star gelding likely to get his ground conditions once again, he could complete a famous double in the race. Considering neither the tracks or ground would have been ideal in the Betfair and King George this season, there was plenty of positives to take from those performances and he will be much happier with the demands of this contest. Like 12 months ago, Richard Johnson is expected to be forcing the pace, booting his willing partner into every fence, and it will take a good, tough sort to get past him coming up the famous hill. Presenting Percy's Festival record speaks for itself, winning the Pertemps Final and RSA over the last couple of seasons, and despite the lack of a recent run over the larger obstacles, he demands respect representing a lethal trainer/jockey combination. Willie Mullins bids to win the Blue Riband event for the first time in his career and a four-man team of Kemboy, Al Boum Photo, Bellshill and Invitation Only give him a definite chance of doing just that, while Anibale Fly, third in this race last year, caught the eye staying on strongly over 2m4f at Gowran last time he looks to have an each-way squeak. Welsh National winner Elegant Escape would love a real test of stamina and is respected, while Clan Des Obeaux can't be overlooked following a couple of impressive Graded victories but his course record (0 from 4) is a concern.
Prediction : 1st Native River 2nd Presenting Percy 3rd Kemboy

Harriet Tucker partnered Pacha Du Polder to a dramatic victory in this race last season when reeling in the front-running Top Wood to score for the second consecutive year and now goes in search of a hat-trick of wins in this contest on his last run before retirement. Top Wood has to be respected once again, while Caid Du Berlais, fifth in this last season, routed a useful field at the Punchestown Festival last spring and was as good as ever when tuning up in a point-to-point last time. Road To Rome is unbeaten in seven and is sure to be popular with Sam Waley-Cohen aboard, while Shantou Flyer, second in the Ultima at last year's Festival, has been in fine form in hunter chases of late, winning his last two. Stand Up And Fight looks to enhance Enda Bolger's useful record in this, while Ucello Conti has been rejuvenated by switching to this sphere and comes here unbeaten in three having got the better of Coastal Tiep at Navan last time. Preference, though is for HAZEL HILL, who was an emphatic 11-length winner at Warwick last time and has won 14 of his last 15 outings. He is lightly raced for an 11-year-old and could see off some battle-weary legs up the hill.
Prediction : 1st Hazel Hill 2nd Road To Rome 3rd Pacha Du Polder

Le Prezien is only 1lb higher than when winning this 12 months ago and Brelan D'As, who represents the same trainer/owner combination, has a nice racing weight. Whatswrongwithyou went up 10lb for winning a three-runner race at Fontwell but still has to be considered, while course scorer Bun Doran is a player and Mind's Eye is interesting on the basis that he was deemed good enough to contest a couple of Grade 1 races earlier in the season. MAGIC SAINT gets the nod, though, as he brings good French form to the table and comfortably beat last year's runner-up Gino Trail at Wincanton last time. Not Another Muddle is improving rapidly and is another to consider closely as he's three from four over fences and was impressive at Sandown latest.
Prediction : 1st Magic Saint 2nd Not Another Muddle 3rd Whatswrongwithyou

Another highly competitive renewal of this contest but the one that stands out is GETAREASON, who filled third place behind Battleoverdoyen and Sams Profile in a Grade 1 two starts ago. He has plenty of hurdles experience, which could be vital in a race of this nature, and a mark of 140 may underestimate his ability. Dallas Des Pictons has been popular in the market for this race since his victory at Leopardstown in early February and he has to be respected, although he may not be as well handicapped as some of those with Graded form. Defi Bleu failed to fire last time out but his previous narrow defeat to Derrinross in a Grade 2 at Limerick gives him a good shout. Others to consider in a wide-open event are Daybreak Boy, Early Doors and Pym.
Prediction : 1st Getareason 2nd Defi Bleu 3rd Dallas Des Pictons