UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Willie Mullins looks to have a stranglehold on this contest, with almost half the field and likely top four in the betting, and it can pay to side with the deeply talented BLOOD DESTINY, who has shown his rivals a clean pair of heels in both appearances since moving to Ireland. By a sire that the trainer knows well in No Risk At All, this gelding looks to have a big future ahead of him and should be suited by conditions. Lossiemouth had swept all before her before finishing an unlucky second to stablemate Gala Marceau at the Dublin Racing Festival, and a strong case can be made for her to overturn the form on this occasion, with the extra furlong a big plus. Three lengths separated French recruits Zenta (first) and Hypotenus (second) when they met in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 and both are open to improvement.
Prediction : 1st Blood Destiny 2nd Lossiemouth 3rd Gala Marceau

Sharjah, who finished runner-up in both the 2020 and 2021 Champion Hurdles, is a fascinating contender making his first handicap start since winning the 2018 Galway Hurdle, while Hunters Yarn and Winter Fog are other interesting players from the Willie Mullins stable. Filey Bay is equipped with a first-time tongue-tie after finding Aucunrisque a length too good in the Betfair Hurdle and he could reverse that form, but GIN COCO shades the verdict. An exposed seven-year-old with a nice weight on his back, he has been kept fresh for this assignment following a cracking runner-up effort in the Greatwood here in November and still looks nicely treated off a mark of 135. Pembroke drops in trip and could make his presence felt, while Path D'oroux is another to note following his convincing novice hurdle success at Navan in January.
Prediction : 1st Gin Coco 2nd Sharjah 3rd Filey Bay

There was an awful lot to like about the manner in which CORBETTS CROSS handled a drop back to the minimum trip and a step up in class when getting the better of Found A Fifty at Naas. Bought since by JP McManus, his versatility makes him stand out from the rest of the field and the return to 3m won't inconvenience him. Three Card Brag has been popular for this since his defeat of Spanish Harlem at Fairyhouse, with the promise of even more improvement for stepping up in distance. Conditions have come right for him and he warrants the utmost respect. Embassy Gardens was an easy winner at Thurles, but that race appeared to fall apart and whether he is tough enough for a test of this nature remains to be seen. Hiddenvalley Lake (second) was behind his stable companion Monty's Star at Clonmel but he made his own running on that occasion and should be better suited by a stronger pace and the application of a tongue-tie. Others worth considering include Shanbally Kid, who shapes as though stamina will be his forte, Sandor Clegane, following his third at the Dublin Racing Festival behind Good Land, and Favori De Champdou.
Prediction : 1st Corbetts Cross 2nd Three Card Brag 3rd Shanbally Kid

It isn't surprising to see Galopin Des Champs at the top of the market having bolted up in the Irish Gold Cup and he is expected to mount a bold bid. A Plus Tard arrives on something of a retrieval mission following a disappointing run in the Betfair Chase, but he was scintillating in this last year and won't relinquish his crown without a fight. The latest of Paul Nicholls' four Gold Cup triumphs came back in 2009 courtesy of the incredible Kauto Star and BRAVEMANSGAME could see him back in the winners' enclosure following NH racing's blue riband. The eight-year-old emerged as a genuine Gold Cup contender when running out a clear-cut winner of the King George at Kempton, and his preparation has been geared around this ever since. Noble Yeats bids to become the first horse since L'Escargot to win a Gold Cup and a Grand National and should not be dismissed, while 2021 winner Minella Indo can also make his presence felt.
Prediction : 1st Bravemansgame 2nd Galopin Des Champs 3rd A Plus Tard

Billaway attempts to make it back-to-back wins in the race. The gelding wears first-time blinkers this time around after just prevailing in his prep run for this at Naas. However, the vote goes to FAMOUS CLERMONT, who can give jockey William Biddick a good spin after proving to be a real force in this sphere this season. The latest of his wins came when bolting up Haydock, where he couldn't have been more impressive. Chris's Dream and The Storyteller are joint top-rated in this and have to be respected. The former has won both of his recent starts in point-to-points and it's highly likely his brilliant trainer Henry de Bromhead has had this race in mind for a while.
Prediction : 1st Famous Clermont 2nd Billaway 3rd Chriss Dream

Both Allegorie De Vassy and IMPERVIOUS bid to maintain their unbeaten chase records, and the latter is marginally preferred. The daughter of Shantou arrives on the back of a half-length success in a Grade 3 at Punchestown, beating a smart rival in Journey With Me, and, with the extra furlong set to suit, she can continue her ascendency. The former has notched up a brace of Grade 2 victories recently, but the strength of that form is up for debate. Elimay bids to retain her crown having landed the corresponding race last year, but she might prove vulnerable to some less-exposed types. Magic Daze, who holds Elimay on their meeting at Naas last month, is another to take seriously.
Prediction : 1st Impervious 2nd Allegorie De Vassy 3rd Magic Daze

A tentative vote goes to IMAGINE, who looks to have been laid out for this contest all season, especially seeing as though he has never tackled this trip and is bred to relish it. The son of Montmarte was last seen keeping on well for second in a Listed contest at Navan and his form ties in closely with Spanish Harlem from when they met at Gowran Park. Fourth in a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival, Cool Survivor brings arguably the strongest recent form to the table, but stamina is his strong suit and he may well want it very testing, while stablemate Felix Desjy has plenty of experience in big-field scenarios and could be on the premises. The best of the British contingent looks to be the progressive Irish Hill, who continues to go from strength to strength, as well as the Grade 1-placed Might I. Others to note include Firm Footings, Iroko and Mark Of Gold.
Prediction : 1st Imagine 2nd Might I 3rd Cool Survivor