UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Redford Road returns to the scene of his Grade 2 success 18 days ago and is sure to be popular in this Listed contest, but that victory came over 3m and the manner in which he stayed on well to score didn't suggest that a drop to 2m4f would be ideal. With that in mind, preference is for WELSH SAINT, who impressed when hacking up in a 2m5f Warwick maiden that usually works out well last month and Nicky Henderson's lightly-raced six-year-old has plenty of scope for improvement. Protektorat was an unlucky second in this grade over 2m at Sandown latest and is interesting now upped in trip.
Prediction : 1st Welsh Saint 2nd Redford Road 3rd Protektorat

Cogry continued his love affair with this venue when landing the Grade 3 BetVictor Handicap Chase over C&D for the second year running last month and another bold bid beckons. That said, a 4lb rise leaves him with no margin for error under top weight and brings the reopposing fourth, Singlefarmpayment, into the equation having only been beaten three lengths off this same mark that day. Preference is for ANOTHER VENTURE, whose half-length second in a 2m7f event at Chepstow last month was boosted by the winner subsequently running a big race in a Listed event and Kim Bailey's charge should not only come on for that seasonal debut, but also relish this step back up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Another Venture 2nd Cogry 3rd Singlefarmpayment

CHAMP overcame a scare when victorious at Newbury four weeks ago and can remain unbeaten over fences for JP McManus and Nicky Henderson. A Grade 1 winner over hurdles, he looks to be just as good in this sphere and has the scope to do even better given his tendency to just do enough. Midnight Shadow bounced back from his Carlisle fall when second in a graduation event at Haydock in November, while Deyrann de Carjac and French raider Matfog can prove best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Champ 2nd Midnight Shadow 3rd Deyrann de Carjac

Oldgrangewood just denied KALASHNIKOV by a nose when the pair met at Newbury on their latest outing but Amy Murphy's stable star is taken to make amends as he bids to enhance his claims towards the Ryanair Chase. Cepage has acquitted himself well on both his starts this season, including when fourth in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup last month, and he can be competitive running off the same mark. Ok Corral disappointed in the Ladbrokes Trophy when racing too freely so the drop back in trip could be in his favour, while Magic Saint and Ex Patriot are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Kalashnikov 2nd Cepage 3rd Ok Corral

Might Bite is a fascinating contender as he returns to hurdles for the first time since April 2016, but the 11-year-old has plenty to prove after unseating at Aintree on his first start of the campaign. Goodbye Dancer, a C&D winner last month, and The Jam Man, who seeks a five-timer, are likely to be popular but the pair both have much loftier ratings to overcome so the vote goes to SKANDIBURG. A winner of a Pertemps Qualifier at Aintree in November, this serves as an ideal place to go before the Final in March and Olly Murphy's gelding appears capable of further progression off a 6lb higher mark. Rapper and Kilbricken Storm appeal most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Skandiburg 2nd Rapper 3rd Kilbricken Storm

In an open race the marginal preference is for JANIKA, who won the Haldon Gold Cup over fences off a mark of 162 in November and was not disgraced when last seen in the Tingle Creek. If he can transfer that form to hurdles then he could be very hard to beat at these weights. Emitom was a high-class novice hurdler last season, ending his campaign with a Grade 1 second at Aintree, and he has to be respected on his return to action. Others to note are Summerville Boy and Roksana.
Prediction : 1st Janika 2nd Emitom 3rd Roksana

GRAND ROI bolted up on his debut for these connections at Wincanton early last month, where he defeated Audacity by 15 lengths, and that form suggests that he will be hard to beat. Belle De Manech made a winning debut at Warwick in November and she could prove to be the main threat to the selection, while the French raiders Gavina and Genola also merit consideration.
Prediction : 1st Grand Roi 2nd Belle De Manech 3rd Genola