UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

A decent renewal with plenty of chances in this field but the French raider MILAN TINO stood out as the one to beat. The JP McManus-owned juvenile ran with credit in a Grade 2 hurdle at Auteuil last time and is more experienced than many of these rivals which may be put to best use on this occasion. Royal Ascot winner Burdett Road is feared most after a very impressive wide-margin success on his hurdling debut over 2m at Huntingdon, while Galactic Jack is an interesting hurdles debutant.
Prediction : 1st Milan Tino 2nd Burdett Road 3rd Galactic Jack

A very open contest makes this a very difficult puzzle to solve, with the tentative nod going to TEA CLIPPER, who made a very pleasing return to the track when second over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow last month. Tom Lacey's charge is now 6lb below his last winning mark and this may be the ideal opportunity to get him back to winning ways. Switch Hitter should also be noted for the powerful Paul Nicholls yard and can enter calculations based on his win over 3m1f at Wincanton in February. Last year's winner Strictlyadancer also warrants respect, while Mole Court won well here last month and he completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Tea Clipper 2nd Switch Hitter 3rd Strictlyadancer

MISTER COFFEY is the highest rated of these rivals and should prove difficult to beat if fully recovered from a gruelling effort in the Grand National in April. Nicky Henderson's charge has been largely consistent in some valuable prizes already in his career and this looks a good opportunity to get his head in front on his seasonal reappearance. Broadway Boy was a good second behind Flooring Porter over C&D last time and is likely to be competitive once again, while Weveallbeencaught wasn't beaten far in the same contest and he could get closer with that effort under his belt. Good Risk At All is also worthy of a closer look.
Prediction : 1st Mister Coffey 2nd Broadway Boy 3rd Weveallbeencaught

UNEXPECTED PARTY looks qualified to provide Dan Skelton with a first success in this valuable early-season highlight. The Alcester handler has saddled placed horses in each of the last two renewals and has been bullish over the chances of his slick-jumping eight-year-old, who impressed when defeating the highly-regarded Knappers Hill (impressive winner since) on his seasonal return at Chepstow. There is clearly more to come and a mark of 146 looks there to be exploited on soft ground which should prove ideal. The Real Whacker proved himself a chaser of the highest quality during an unbeaten novice campaign (all three wins coming at Cheltenham) and has to be considered on his reappearance, despite the poor record of top-weights in the race, whilst fellow returnee Stage Star also looks a potential Grade 1 talent who has to go on any shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Unexpected Party 2nd The Real Whacker 3rd Stage Star

A wide-open contest but it may not be beyond Irish raider BUDDY ONE to defy top-weight. The six-year-old displayed a liking for Cheltenham when a close third in last season's Martin Pipe at the Festival and has clearly progressed on the evidence of a super impressive victory over 2m6f at Galway last month. Trainer Paul Gilligan revealed afterwards that he expects his charge to kick on further and a 9lb rise may not be insurmountable with this longer trip likely to suit. The consistent Judicial Law wasn't far off over C&D last time out and looks sure to be in the mix once again, whilst positive market moves for David Pipe's recent French recruit Placenet - a multiple winner on soft ground - could be significant.
Prediction : 1st Buddy One 2nd Judicial Law 3rd Placenet

Sixth, albeit well held, in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle when last seen, Springwell Bay commands the utmost respect on his handicap bow/seasonal return, along with Resplendent Grey, who finished second to a promising type in the Persian War at Chepstow last month. Preference, however, is for GYENYAME. The son of Nathaniel bumped into a progressive sort at Wincanton last time but compensation could await for the in-form Joe Tizzard team.
Prediction : 1st Gyenyame 2nd Springwell Bay 3rd Resplendent Grey

Larchmont Lass landed a similar event at Sandown in March and she looks a live candidate once more, but Paul Nicholls charge might struggle to concede 4lb to Ballinrobe winner BABY KATE. Willie Mullins' strike-rate in bumpers speaks for itself, and it would come as no surprise were he to unleash another smart prospect in this warm curtain-closer. Disco Daisy impressed when bolting up at Chepstow in March and she enters calculations with that in mind, along with Easy Peasy, who bids to go 3-3 in her fledgling career.
Prediction : 1st Baby Kate 2nd Larchmont Lass 3rd Disco Daisy