UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

MIGHTY POTTER has taken to his form to another level since going chasing, as seen with fantastic Grade 1 victories in the Drinmore and the Ladbrokes Novice Chase. Gordon Elliott's six-year-old did flop in last year's Supreme here, but he has been a different proposition this campaign and should take all the beating. Appreciate It tasted his first defeat over fences when weakening into third in the Irish Arkle, but the 2021 Supreme winner is feared most now upped to 2m4f for the first time over obstacles. He had no problem winning a NH Flat race over this trip back in 2019 and this stiffer test could unlock some improvement. Banbridge finished just ahead of Appreciate It at Leopardstown, and the return to this distance should help him travel more kindly. Balco Coastal filled the runner-up berth in the Scilly Isles and looks the pick of the home team, closely followed by Stage Star, who was impressive on his handicap debut over an extended 2m4f on Trials Day.
Prediction : 1st Mighty Potter 2nd Appreciate It 3rd Banbridge

Gordon Elliott won this three years on the bounce between 2018 and 2020, and his mob-handed policy has been a profitable tactic to follow. The County-Meath-based handler has a quartet of options this time around, with SALVADOR ZIGGY, who was fourth in a series qualifier over C&D back in October, edging the nomination. Previous course experience can be a vital factor at the Festival and the top-weight, who is four from five since joining Elliott, has gone from strength to strength as his stamina has been put to the test. Maxxum also flourished under the trainer's tutelage until proving a costly failure at the Dublin Racing Festival, while The Bosses Oscar was third in a qualifier at Musselburgh on his return from a break and can be fancied to strip a lot sharper. Thanksforthehelp dropped a significant hint that he can be a player with an easy success at Chepstow, and an 11lb higher mark might not be insurmountable given the scope he retains. Captain Morgs struck over C&D in December and could be good value to at least make the frame.
Prediction : 1st Salvador Ziggy 2nd Maxxum 3rd Thanksforthehelp

This revolves around the brilliant SHISHKIN, who got his career back on track in the Ascot Chase, hosing up when stepped up to 2m5f on his first start after a wind operation and in a first-time tongue tie. Nicky Henderson's star can make it three wins from four tries at the Festival, while also giving his trainer a third triumph in this race. Envoi Allen, another dual Festival hero, has been hit-and-miss more recently but if he brings his A-game, similar to when landing a Grade 1 at Down Royal before his King George failure, he could have a say under Rachael Blackmore. Blue Lord was beaten at long odds-on over 2m1f at the Dublin Racing Festival, but he struck gold at that trip at Leopardstown over Christmas and was third in the Arkle here last year. He took the Clonmel Oil Chase over this sort of distance in November and is a force to be reckoned with.
Prediction : 1st Shishkin 2nd Envoi Allen 3rd Blue Lord

Flooring Porter has won the last couple of runnings of this race and warrants plenty of respect in his bid to complete the hat-trick, but his preparations haven't been straightforward so he looks a little vulnerable. Similar comments apply to Blazing Khal, who possesses plenty of ability but is very fragile. Home By The Lee keeps going under the radar, but he won both the Lismullen Hurdle and the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle in comfortable fashion and should run another big race. The vote, however, goes to Gordon Elliott's TEAHUPOO. He stayed on strongly to win the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse in December and was hugely impressive when stepped up to an extended 3m in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran last time. The six-year-old remains open to plenty of improvement over this sort of trip and, with ground conditions likely to be in his favour, he is fancied to land the spoils. French raider Gold Tweet readily won the Cleeve Hurdle over C&D in January and he shouldn't be underestimated.
Prediction : 1st Teahupoo 2nd Home By The Lee 3rd Gold Tweet

Emmet Mullins landed this prize two years ago with The Shunter and boasts strong credentials once again with SO SCOTTISH. The six-year-old has progressed nicely since going over fences and arrives following a career-best performance in a valuable Ascot handicap. That effort came over a trip that looked to be on the sharp side for him and he has been kept for this ever since. Haut En Couleurs brings a fascinating angle to the race as Willie Mullins' charge wouldn't be out of place if contesting the Ryanair earlier on the card. The slight concern, though, would be if his jumping will stand up in a scenario that he has never encountered before. Il Ridoto (first) and Fugitif (second) pulled clear of the field over C&D on Trials Day and the pair are likely to enter calculations once again, while others to note include Midnight River, who scored here on New Year's Day, and Frero Banbou, with the latter of considerable interest stepping up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Il Ridoto 2nd So Scottish 3rd Frero Banbou

LUCCIA was firmly in the Supreme mix until being pulled out at the six-day stage, and the decision to keep her to her own sex can be rewarded. Nicky Henderson's five-year-old hasn't put a foot wrong yet, capping an unbeaten bumper campaign with a bloodless Listed win at Sandown, before carrying on in much the same vein at that level over hurdles at Newbury and Exeter. Willie Mullins saddled the first five winners of this race and might be the main stumbling block for the selection, with smart Flat performer Lot of Joy possibly the pick of the Closutton pair on the back of a confidence booster at Fairyhouse. Her stablemate Nikini is 9lb better off with Magical Zoe for a one-length Down Royal defeat, while You Wear It Well was runner-up in a red-hot Challow before taking Grade 2 honours at Sandown. Princess Zoe is a top-class stayer on the level but was made to work hard to share the spoils with Ladybank on her jumping bow at Punchestown.
Prediction : 1st Luccia 2nd Lot of Joy 3rd You Wear It Well

ANIGHTINLAMBOURN has shown a real liking for racing at Prestbury Park and he is an attractive proposition in his bid to gain a success at the Festival. His two previous outings on Cheltenham's old course resulted in a close second at last October's meeting before he posted another gallant performance to win under Jack Andrews in a class 3 amateur jockeys' handicap the following month. All of which stands him in good stead for this rise in grade and switch to the new course. Obviously, there are dangers aplenty, with Stumptown rated as a leading contender after comfortably winning his last two starts and a 10lb rise for the latest of those might not be enough to halt his progression. It seems remarkable that Willie Mullins has yet to win this race but his Mr Incredible is likely candidate to end that barren spell. His game second in Warwick's Grade 3 Classic Chase certainly puts him in the picture and, with stamina assured, he is likely to be hard to keep out of the frame. Annual Invictus is a more sporting option to consider after his all-the-way win at Newbury last month, but it would take a mammoth effort from him to repeat the feat over this longer trip. He counters that with good course experience and is still dangerous to rule out.
Prediction : 1st Anightinlambourn 2nd Stumptown 3rd Mr Incredible