Friday Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

The Irish look set to dominate the Triumph Hurdle this season with the top four in the market and I much prefer the chances of VAUBAN (best priced at 7-4) following an impressive victory at the Dublin Racing Festival. The Willie Mullins trained juvenile had been the subject of glowing reports prior to his hurdling debut where he finished 2nd behind the reopposing Pied Piper at Punchestown. The 4/9 favourite travelled well that day but a mistake at the last cost him his chance and he had to settle for the runner-up spot.

Vauban went straight to the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival where he beat Fil Dor in impressive style by 3 lengths despite racing keenly and still not jumping perfectly. Both Pied Piper and Fil Dor are respected against the favourite but I feel Vauban has a touch of star quality and should prove hard to beat on this drying ground.

The UK horses are doing a lot better in the handicaps at the Cheltenham festival this year than previously so I am willing to take a chance on FAIVOIR (best priced at 66-1) at a wild price. Dan Skelton has won the County Hurdle in recent years with Superb Story (2016), Mohaayed (2018) and Ch’tibello (2019) so his runners always deserve respect. West Cork is the choice of Harry Skelton but Bridget Andrews won on board Mohaayed in 2018 so I don’t find her booking on Faivoir too much of a negative.

Faivoir runs here 2lbs “well in” following his 3rd placed finish in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso a couple of weeks ago and this two-time course winner looks a big price for this race with up to eight places available.

The Gold Cup looks an open renewal this season but preference goes to the Gordon Elliott trained GALVIN (best priced at 7-2) who won the National Hunt Chase at the festival last season. The eight-year-old was beaten by Frodon in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal in October but staked his claim for this race when he defeated A Plus Tard in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas.

Galvin looked a strong stayer under Davy Russell that day shaping like this Gold Cup test is exactly what he wants. Both A Plus Tard and Minella Indo are respected for Henry De Bromhead but I do feel Galvin is the most solid contender and most likely winner.

The Willie Mullins trained ELIMAY (best priced at 9-4) finished 2nd behind stablemate Colreevy in the inaugural running of this race last season but she looks to hold strong claims of going one better in the race this year. The eight-year-old is extremely consistent over fences with five wins, three seconds and a third from her nine starts over the larger obstacles so she looks the perfect type of horse for a placepot.

Elimay has to reverse form with Mount Ida on worse terms from their Fairyhouse contest in January but she seemed to improve last time from the fitting of cheekpieces and that could swing things in her favour here.