Cheltenham Tips: Architect's Pre-Festival Lucky 15

With less than a week until the start of the Cheltenham Festival, Architect Tips has put forward four horses worth including in your multiples, in this case as part of a Lucky 15.

TIP 1: Teahupoo

Defending champion Honeysuckle is the rightful favourite who’s conquered all opponents that have stepped in her way. She has every chance of winning another Champion Hurdle but I don’t think her task is as far straightforward as the betting might indicate for this year’s renewal.

her biggest threat may come from TEAHUPOO. This gelding by Masked Marvel is a perfect three-from-three this season, who’s now defeated last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios twice and holds the likes of Adagio and Zanahiyr on all the evidence displayed. 

He was mightily impressive when delivering the knockout punch when last spotted, quickening away from useful rivals and his performance was not only impressive to the eye but also on the clock.

His whole preparation has been smooth, who’s now won six of his seven career starts and while his former odds of 33/1 evaporated shortly after his latest victory (we are currently sitting on him in the ante-post column at that price), there’s still enough juice in the 8/1 still available to make him a worthy investment on the lucky 15 each-way ticket against Henry de Bromhead’s super mare.  

TIP 2: Lunar Power 

The Boodles Juvenile Hurdle isn’t the easiest of handicaps to solve but I really like the claims of Lunar Power, who has all the required attributes and form in the back catalogue to follow in the footsteps of Jeff Kidder who claimed this prize for connections 12 months ago.

Although he’s seen the backend of Fil Dor in a pair of graded events the last twice, it’s highly likely the winner will tackle the Triumph Hurdle and it makes plenty of sense for LUNAR POWER to take the easier route though, nothing’s set in stone.

An opening mark of 137 on handicap debut too seems quite generous Given the substance of his form in this sphere. Undeniably, the Irish have dominated this race in recent years, winning the last four editions.

Taking into account that those towards the top scale of the handicap ratings inevitably reach the frame or better that in this event, he looks really good value to potentially finish in the first four at the very least despite this being extremely competitive, whilst acknowledging that I have put up Bell Ex One for this event in my ante-post column alongside Lunar Power. 

TIP 3: Bob And Co

It was a great moment in the Hunters Chase 12 months ago when Porlock Bay claimed the spoils for us at 20/1 under a beautiful ride by Lorcan Williams.

While connections have sadly ruled out a repeat bid this time around, I have turned my attentions to another leading contender in the shape of BOB AND CO, who has been trained specifically for this event and merits consideration in his bid to put aside last years misery in this event. 

Sent off just 9/2 in last year’s renewal, he was travelling strongly until unseating his rider at the fourth last fence and might well have had a say in the outcome otherwise. We will never know if he’d have won but, despite being beaten twice since, trainer Paul Nicholls has brought him along steadily this campaign and is very confident of a bold showing from last year's Punchestown Champion Hunter Chase winner, who defeated Billaway in a thrilling finish in Ireland.

David Maxwell, who’s had a brilliant and productive season, is likely to be in the saddle and his mount rates one of the likeliest winners in a field where a lot of the main rivals are falling by the wayside.

Tip 4: Celebre D’Allen 

The Philip Hobbs-trained CELEBRE D'ALLEN has taken us on a fantastic journey this term, tipping-wise, winning all three of his starts but, ultimately, his main target has been the Paddy Power Plate and he’s got outstanding claims. The 10-year-old won back-to-back events over hurdles prior to making an excellent impression at Warwick over fences when last spotted. He beat some good horses that day and won with much more up his sleeve than the small winning margin indicated. 

Tom O’Brien was never required to use the whip and that’s been the base throughout this term, where he’s ridden this talented individual with plenty of confidence en route to success. I think he’s got an ideal set-up in this open-looking contest and, with a strong pace guaranteed, in which he will creep his way into contention on the second circuit, and then his electric turn of foot might prove to be the deciding factor in the outcome of his biggest test to date and therefore, he’s the final choice for the bet.