Cheltenham Tips: Andy Holding's Friday Racing Tips

A division dominated by Willie Mullins this season and for large portions, Lossiemouth has looked the standout performer. Through no fault of her own, she failed to maintain her unbeaten record in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the DRF, but if anything, her reputation was further enhanced.

Despite her obvious claims, she does, however, face a formidable opponent in the shape of BLOOD DESTINY (NAP) (best price 2/1) and based on his form and time figures, there’s more than a fair chance the more lightly raced of the pair can gain stable bragging rights.

Silky smooth when making a successful Irish debut at Cork, form of which has worked out well since, the son of No Risk At All made the transition into Graded company a seamless one at Fariyhouse last time out and with the time figure of that race 62 days ago pointing in the direction of a seriously good performance, it’s little wonder the form has worked out well since.

To beat subsequent Adonis winner Nusret in the manner he did mark him down as a potential Grade 1 horse and with one of the features of his round at the Co Meath venue his slick jumping, hopefully the combination of his speed, stamina and technique will be the defining factors.

As the recent history of this race has suggested, you probably need a potential Graded performer in the making to take this sought-after prize and based on their overall form and profiles, both FILEY BAY (best price 13/2) and PEMBROKE (best price 11/2) slot neatly into that category.

The former really came of age in his latest start at Newbury and considering he was the only one to offer any sort of resistance to the well-ridden winner, Aucunrisque, his effort in defeat deserves extra praise. Moreover, the subsequent form of the race at the Berkshire venue has gone the way as the time figure expected and with that valuable experience of life in the fast lane of a big-field handicap sure to have done him the world of good mentally, Emmet Mullins’ inmate can go a long to making amends.

The latter comes into the equation on several counts, being a lightly-raced Dan Skelton-trained runner who could turn out to be extremely well treated and, as a result, is a must for anyone’s shortlist.

Dipping his bread here last time out to see whether he was a Ballymore contender, he came away from that contest beaten by unbowed and given the way he travelled until just outstayed on the run in, it’s easy to se why connections are keen to drop him back in trip.

A strong traveller who jumps well and handles plenty of ease underfoot, he looks to have a fine chance of adding to his trainer’s excellent record in this race.

Arguably the most strength in depth of all the novice hurdles run here this week and despite cases to be made for a whole host of potentially top-class types, FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU (best price 11/1) appeals as one who should appreciate this test better than most.

Unbeaten in three starts this term, Gordon Elliott’s gelding was stepped up to Grade 2 company at Limerick last time out and, in what turned out to be a decent examination in the conditions, he prove more than equal to the task.

The feature of his effort was how relentless he was in the latter stages and, with the figure he posted going along way to suggest he’s a strong stayer at the trip, the son of Saddler Maker has many of the attributes associated with previous winner of this race.

Probably one of the most wide-open Gold Cups in recent times – even more so when you consider the ground conditions – and, it what is likely to prove to be a proper test at the trip, SOUNDS RUSSIAN (best price 50/1) is fancied to totally outstrip his odds.

Working his way through the ranks from fairly humble beginnings, the first sign of him belonging at the highest level came when he finished on the coat tails of three top-class chasers in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree back in December.

Once establishing he deserved to be dining at the top table, connections were clearly to find out whether the son of Sholokhov was Gold Cup material and on the evidence of his display in the Cotswold Chase, the answer was very much in the affirmative.

Picking up the running well over a mile from home, the eight-year-old then proceeded to make a horrendous blunder at the one at the top of the hill, but despite that potentially race-ending mistake, he galloped on strongly all the way in the straight and up the hill.

Just picked off by the more conservatively ridden Ahoy Senior, he left the impression he may have won if he’d been given a more efficient approach, so with that in mind, it makes little sense why he’s been chalked up in the 33/1 bar category.

Hopefully lessons will have been learnt from that decent race here 48 days ago and he can repay connections who have decided to roll the dice rather than stay on home soil and race for 50k at Kelso two weeks ago.

One of the tried and trusted formulas for this concluding affair is to go with Gigginstown-owned horses who have previously run in a Graded race so it makes perfect sense to follow that trend with their COOL SURVIVOR (best price 6/1), their sole representative this year.

A listed winner at Cork earlier in the campaign, Gordon Elliott’s gelding was outpointed by the smart Hiddenvalley Lake over the same C&D on his return visit, but based on the numbers that day, it was still a commendable effort.

Upped to Grade 1 level at the DRF last time, the son of Westerner just came up short of the mark, but in the context of today’s race, he clearly holds one of the strongest form lines of the entire field.

Versatile regards ground and a strong stayer, the six-year-old will hopefully provide his supporters a great spin on the concluding race of the festival.