UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Doctor Duffy certainly won't lack for fitness, having been on the go since May, and he arguably produced a career-best performance when scoring over 2m6f at Navan last time, while Champagne Well was last seen finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree and demands respect equipped with a tongue-tie on his seasonal reappearance. However, a chance is taken on the potential of L'AIR DU VENT. He has only had one run under Rules, impressively winning a Bangor bumper during the spring, but also shaped with promise between the flags last year and is an exciting prospect.
Prediction : 1st LAir Du Vent 2nd Doctor Duffy 3rd Champagne Well

If everything goes to script, this looks a match between chasing newcomers AL DANCER and Getaway Trump. The latter ended last term with an impressive double over hurdles at Ayr and Sandown and he should run a big race barring accidents. However, Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge had him toiling back in fourth when winning the Betfair Hurdle in February and he also brings course-winning form to the table. The six-year-old son of Al Namix is certainly built to jump a fence and this represents a great starting point. Not That Fuisse, who was 11 lengths behind the selection at this venue last December, should beat Caius Marcius, who faces a difficult task conceding weight all round, to third spot.
Prediction : 1st Al Dancer 2nd Getaway Trump 3rd Not That Fuisse

A fiercely-competitive handicap, in which a chance is taken on the locally-trained TEDHAM. The five-year-old wasn't disgraced behind the likes of Al Dancer and Getaway Trump in novice hurdles last year and his two efforts in handicap company have also been pleasing, winning at Wincanton before finishing seventh (of 21) in Grade 3 company at Aintree. He has subsequently undergone wind surgery and is likely to be ready to roll on his return to action. Smarty Wild has won his last three and looks dangerous, similarly hat-trick seeker Liosduin Bhearna, who is another runner trained nearby. Boreham Bill and Duke Street are two race-fit contenders with claims.
Prediction : 1st Tedham 2nd Smarty Wild 3rd Liosduin Bhearna

WHOLESTONE won on his chase debut as his odds suggested and has much more on his plate this time. However, Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge is a multiple Grade 2 winner over timber and finished third in the 2018 Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, so looks well up to winning this under a penalty. Minella Warrior can begin to realise his full potential this season now chasing and joins Dinons and Boyhood on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Wholestone 2nd Minella Warrior 3rd Boyhood

FRED makes his debut for the powerful Nicky Henderson yard and can put the useful experience gained in France to good use. Similar sentiments apply to Cap Du Mathan, who debuts for Henderson's old rival Paul Nicholls, and the market should tell us more about both. Master Debonair may represent a bit of value in the market as he has undergone wind surgery ahead of this hurdles campaign and won a Listed bumper here last season at the expense of recent Persian War scorer Thyme Hill. He wasn't disgraced thereafter in the big spring bumpers both here and at Aintree.
Prediction : 1st Fred 2nd Cap Du Mathan 3rd Master Debonair

THE WICKET CHICKEN should appreciate the switch to this stiffer track under Jamie Codd and could provide Neil Mulholland with another winner in this race (successful in 2011 and 2014). The seven-year-old found 3m around Perth too sharp when last seen in July, and this test promises to suit him far better. Belmount stayed on gamely at Warwick when last seen and has dropped to a tempting mark, while Doing Fine, a stablemate to the selection and fresh from an eight-length Fontwell romp, is also worth considering despite an 8lb rise.
Prediction : 1st The Wicket Chicken 2nd Belmount 3rd Doing Fine

Peter The Mayo Man came to grief at Worcester when second last month on his stable debut for Dan Skelton and probably would have gone close but for that mishap, while Whoshotthesheriff, twice a winner in the spring, deserves to take his chance in this stronger contest for Phil Kirby. Slight preference, though, is for the six-year-old, OAKLEY. Boasting form behind the likes of Emitom and Eldorado Allen, he ended his winter campaign with successes at Ludlow and Kempton, and promises to do even better for a yard that has started the season well.
Prediction : 1st Oakley 2nd Peter The Mayo Man 3rd Whoshotthesheriff