UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Nicky Henderson boasts a strong record in this contest having won four of the last seven renewals and MONTE CRISTO makes plenty of appeal on his UK debut. A winner over 2m2f at Auteuil in October, he stayed on well displaying a likeable attitude so the stamina test on offer will likely play to his strengths. Rowland Ward bounced back from a heavy fall on his hurdling bow at Warwick to score at Kempton and appeals as having further improvement to come along with Galahad Quest, who ran a much better race when runner-up against his elders at Taunton earlier in the month.
Prediction : 1st Monte Cristo 2nd Rowland Ward 3rd Galahad Quest

IMPERIAL AURA probably found an extended 3m1f too far when runner-up here to Pym last month. However, his jumping was sound on that occasion and the switch into novice handicap company, with the assessor leaving him unchanged on 136, could see him deliver on the abundance of promise shown throughout his career. Champagne Court has taken a big leap forward since going chasing, winning impressively at both Sandown and Plumpton, and the addition of a tongue tie could unlock further progression. Simply The Betts, who finished second at Kempton on Boxing Day, and Sandown winner Mercy Mercy Me add further spice to the race.
Prediction : 1st Imperial Aura 2nd Champagne Court 3rd Simply The Betts

Warthog built on his third in the BetVictor Gold Cup to score in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup over C&D when finding extra to get back up at the expense of Spiritofthegames. A 4lb rise might not be enough to stop David Pipe's grey from backing that effort up. Lalor returned to somewhere near his best in first-time cheekpieces on his first try up in distance at the track and could be a big player if the headgear has the same effect, but a chance is taken on COUNT MERIBEL. Fancied to go well in the BetVictor Gold Cup after chasing home Lostintranslation at Carlisle, it is possible that outing came too quickly and a two-month absence may have done him the world of good. Highway One O One is a model of consistency and can enter the reckoning with Militarian, who shaped well before not seeing out an extended 3m2f here on New Year's Day.
Prediction : 1st Count Meribel 2nd Highway One O One 3rd Warthog

RSA runner-up SANTINI made heavy weather of his winning return at Sandown but a wind operation and the return to a track that will play more to his strengths can see Nicky Henderson's gelding book his Gold Cup ticket. Connections have been positive in the run up to this contest regarding his preparation and the eight-year-old can account for last year's Gold Cup third Bristol De Mai, who went down fighting in his bid for a third Betfair Chase at Haydock, and Top Ville Ben, who was impressive when landing the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby last time.
Prediction : 1st Santini 2nd Bristol De Mai 3rd Top Ville Ben

KING ROLAND built on a solid hurdling debut when winning with the minimum of fuss at Exeter and this well-regarded individual makes plenty of appeal as he steps up to 2m4f for the first time. Protektorat brings good form to the table and he remains unexposed in regards to this distance, while Harry Senior boasts some strong form and is worth his place in this grade.
Prediction : 1st King Roland 2nd Protektorat 3rd Harry Senior

PAISLEY PARK rates the one to beat after landing this contest 12 months ago en route to landing the Stayers' Hurdle in the spring. He warmed up for this assignment with a straightforward victory on his reappearance in the Long Distance Hurdle, albeit it wasn't a renewal which had much depth, and is likely to be sent off a short-priced favourite here. The potential fly in the ointment may be If The Cap Fits, who beat subsequent International Hurdle winner Call Me Lord on his seasonal comeback in the Coral Hurdle. L'Ami Serge makes some appeal for a place and appears a more likely stayer than Summerville Boy.
Prediction : 1st Paisley Park 2nd If The Cap Fits 3rd LAmi Serge

Former Tom Lacey inmate EN MEME TEMPS shaped with plenty of promise on his first start for Philip Kirby at Carlisle, going down by less than a length into second, and is expected to to take a 5lb rise in his stride and mount another bold bid. Northern Beau was having her second run following wind surgery when winning off this mark over fences here last month and commands respect now switching to hurdles. Lust For Glory makes some each-way appeal on her Ascot second in November and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st En Meme Temps 2nd Northern Beau 3rd Lust For Glory