UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

All eyes will be on ENVOI ALLEN as he arrives here with both an unbeaten record and as one of the Irish 'bankers' of the week. Last year's Champion Bumper winner has carried all before him since switching to hurdles this term, taking the step up in trip in his stride when landing a second successive Grade 1 at Naas last month. The Cheveley Park-owned gelding must have a fantastic chance of following in the footsteps of his handler's Samcro, who landed this with a similarly lofty reputation in 2018. Sporting John could give him most to think about and there is plenty of substance to the form of his three victories so far. A strong traveller, he has plenty of boot when the button is pressed, and Barry Geraghty is sure to be keeping close to Envoi Allen's tail hoping to pounce up the unforgiving Prestbury Park hill. The Big Breakaway and The Big Getaway have both done little wrong and command plenty of respect, but may be seen to better effect when switched to the larger obstacles. Longhouse Poet represents last year's winning trainer/jockey combination and makes each-way appeal here having finished a respectable third in a Leopardstown Grade 1 over 2m6f at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Prediction : 1st Envoi Allen 2nd Sporting John 3rd Longhouse Poet

MINELLA INDO caused a shock when winning the Albert Bartlett at 50/1 last year, but there was no fluke about that victory and Henry De Bromhead's seven-year-old is a proper Grade 1 performer. A return to three miles saw him open his chasing account at Navan in January and he can confirm form over Allaho, who could give him most to think about. That rival was twice behind the selection in Grade 1 contests over hurdles last season, but it is interesting Willie Mullins heads here rather than Thursday's Marsh Chase with the Cheveley Park-owned six-year-old, who was ultra-impressive when winning at Fairyhouse last time. There are no doubts at all about Champ's engine and he proved when winning at Aintree last season that he will stay the three-mile distance. However, his jumping has been of real concern and Barry Geraghty will have to be at his best in a contest where his mount's fencing will be put under scrutiny. Colin Tizzard's pair of Copperhead and Slate House bring plenty of chasing experience to the table and it is the former who appeals most arriving here unbeaten in three. An emphatic 17-length winner of the Reynoldstown at Ascot last time, he has a lot of the required attributes to thrive here and is a must for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Minella Indo 2nd Allaho 3rd Copperhead

Nicky Henderson has landed this contest on three occasions since 2010 and saddles a trio of live chances with Birchdale, Burrows Edge and DAME DE COMPAGNIE. The first-named returns from a disappointing chase debut at Ascot in November but remains unexposed over hurdles and boasts the potential to be a lot better than his rating of 146. However, he has been deserted by Barry Geraghty for the latter, who arrives on the back of an impressive victory on the New Course against her own sex in December. The form of that received a boost when the runner-up, Indefatigable, won a Listed hurdle at Warwick last month and it looks significant that connections appealed her rating, after being given an extra 2lb by the handicapper, successfully. Protektorat has stepped forward considerably from his juvenile season having won a Listed contest here on New Year's Day and improved on that when placed in a Grade 2 on Trials Day. He warrants the utmost respect along with Alfa Mix, a recent purchase for JP McManus who is open to further progression, Bachasson, who shaped with plenty of promise on his return in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, and Ladbrokes Hurdle winner Thosedaysaregone.
Prediction : 1st Dame De Compagnie 2nd Protektorat 3rd Alfa Mix

Altior will attempt to become only the second horse after Badsworth Boy to win this contest for the third time and, providing he is over a late injury scare, is the one for the young pretenders to aim at. Nicky Henderson's star chaser lost his unbeaten record over obstacles to Cyrname at Ascot in November before returning to normality in the Game Spirit last month, when showing too many gears for Sceau Royal (second) and Dynamite Dollars (third). If the 10-year-old were to miss out, DEFI DU SEUIL would be in the prime position to take his crown. He finished behind Chacun Pour Soi at the Punchestown Festival but that came after a long season which Willie Mullins' chaser had avoided and the dual Festival winner has enjoyed the perfect campaign with victories in the Tingle Creek and the Clarence House. Chacun Pour Soi improved from his seasonal reappearance behind A Plus Tard over the Festive period to win the Dublin Chase at the main expense of Min but he will need to back up a lung-bursting effort in what is arguably a tougher contest. Of the aforementioned pair behind Altior at Newbury, Dynamite Dollars could reverse the form with Sceau Royal as that was his first run for over a year and he is entitled to come on plenty for it.
Prediction : 1st Defi Du Seuil 2nd Chacun Pour Soi 3rd Altior