UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Both heart and head say that 12-year-old FAUGHEEN can emerge triumphant, which would take the roof off the Cheltenham Grandstand. A dual Festival winner already, and a decent third in last year's Stayers' Hurdle, the buzz of this meeting clearly brings out the best in him and he arrives in tip-top form. It has proved a very shrewd move by Willie Mullins to switch the son of Germany to fences this term, winning all three starts including two at Grade 1 level, and with the crowd sure to be behind him once more, he could power up the hill to record a famous victory. Although at a much earlier stage in his racing career, Itchy Feet also boasts solid course form and is unbeaten over the larger obstacles. He is likely to run a big race, while Midnight Shadow, second behind the last-named at Sandown latest and a dual track scorer, might go well at longer odds.
Prediction : 1st Faugheen 2nd Itchy Feet 3rd Midnight Shadow

Sire Du Berlais is 7lb higher than when winning this race 12 months ago, but his three outings so far this season have all been to a decent standard and the application of first-time blinkers could potentially eke out some improvement. However, a chance is taken on another JP McManus-owned runner in the shape of A GREAT VIEW. He was a big eye-catcher when flying home to finish sixth in this contest two years ago and posted another cracking effort at the Punchestown Festival one month later, landing a similarly competitive handicap. Denis Cullen's nine-year-old produced his best performance since when third in a qualifier last time and, with this likely to have been the plan for a while, he can run a big race under Mark Walsh. Jatiluwih won impressively here in November and could well reverse Wincanton form with Third Wind, while 2018 Champion Bumper scorer Relegate and Gordon Elliott's The Storyteller are just a couple more with claims in a wide-open renewal.
Prediction : 1st A Great View 2nd Sire Du Berlais 3rd Jatiluwih

Frodon was one of the stories of last year's Festival when ending an excellent season with a gutsy display to fend off Aso in this race. However, this campaign hasn't exactly gone to plan for the eight-year-old, with disappointing efforts in the Old Roan and the Betfair Chase, and despite winning at Kempton last time, he faces a much bigger task in defence of his crown. Min has placed at two Festivals when chasing home Altior in both the 2016 Supreme and the 2018 Champion Chase, and this appears to be his best chance to add a Cheltenham success to his CV. A replication of his stunning display in last year's Melling Chase at Aintree would make him the one to beat, but Willie Mullins' chaser has a big performance at the Dublin Racing Festival to back up, when second to Chacun Pour Soi, and A PLUS TARD could be the chief beneficiary. A runaway winner of the novice handicap at last year's meeting, scoring by 16 lengths, the six-year-old built on his return at Navan to beat the aforementioned Chacun Pour Soi at Christmas and it may be a blessing in disguise that connections ruled him out of the rematch last month. Riders Onthe Storm has been one of the big improvers this campaign, going unbeaten in three starts for Nigel Twiston-Davies, but he had a tough race when landing the Ascot Chase, where he was arguably a fortunate winner, so preference for the minor honours goes to Saint Calvados, who has produced two fantastic efforts off big weights in handicaps at the course this season.
Prediction : 1st A Plus Tard 2nd Min 3rd Saint Calvados

PAISLEY PARK arrives to defend his title on the back of a quieter campaign following successes at both Newbury and over C&D on Trials Day, and the eight-year-old, unbeaten in his last seven outings since October 2018, has the style of racing that suits a top-class staying hurdler. He showed his tactical versatility on his latest start, due to Summerville Boy going a steady pace in front, and Emma Lavelle's star performer can prove a cut above the opposition yet again. The aforementioned Summerville Boy is likely to adopt similar tactics to last time and although this former Festival winner remains unexposed as a stayer, his jumping, which has been an issue in the past, will need to stand up against stronger opponents. With that in mind, the pair that could chase home the selection are 2018 hero Penhill, who has been brought along steadily with one race in mind, and last year's Ballymore winner City Island, who could prove a lot happier back over hurdles following his two chase starts in Ireland.
Prediction : 1st Paisley Park 2nd Penhill 3rd City Island