Cheltenham Tips Tomorrow: Friday Best Bets from Architect

Gary Moore encountered heartbreak in the Triumph Hurdle a few years ago with Goshen, but he has a great chance of redemption with SALVER (tipped 11/1).

This four-year-old has developed into a potentially top-class juvenile hurdler, having won all four of his starts, including a wide-margin winner in a Grade 2 race at Chepstow back in December. 

This is obviously tougher, but he’s improving run-by-run and will love the conditions. Now that Sir Gino is out this is wide-open, so at value odds, he makes plenty of appeal. 

Salver, 0.5 pts E/W, 11/1

Gordon Elliott’s KING OF KINGSFIELD (tipped 5/1) has finished second in two Grade 1 races and could be very well handicapped on his handicap debut off a mark of 140 in the County Hurdle. 

He should be well-suited to this race and the conditions will be fine for him. This race tends to be won by a horse with a touch of class that is well treated, and he looks like the ideal type to go well for his powerful connections. 

King Of Kingfield, 1pt WIN, 5/1

MAGICAL ZOE (tipped 12/1) is another with a great chance in the County Hurdle. She finished runner-up at last year’s Cheltenham Festival in a Grade 2 race, and that is a smart piece of form when put in context.

Having won on her return in a listed race, she’s performed with credit to finish runner-up in her two starts since. Her latest second in a big-field handicap was respectable, and a strong pace in this race will suit her strong-travelling style of racing. 

Her handler has been among the winners this week, and this mare should have plenty more to come. With six places widely available, she must be backed each way, with lots to like about her chances.

Magical Zoe, 0.5 pts E/W, 12/1, 6 places 

Willie Mullins’ ZENTA (tipped 10/1) finished third in last season's Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle before landing an Aintree Grade 1 race on her final start of the season and is another I want to back in the County Hurdle. 

She ran really well when third in a competitive handicap hurdle at Leopardstown last time out and she has been left on the same mark. She should have plenty more to come, and her form looks strong in what will be just her second handicap start. I think she goes close. 

Zenta, 0.5 pts E/W, 10/1, 6 places 

I am keen on the chances of HIGH CLASS HERO (tipped 10/1) against the shorter-priced stablemate in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. The seven-year-old is unbeaten in five starts under rules, and he won with plenty on hand at Thurles last time out. 

Before that, Willie Mullins’ charge’ bolted up in a Listed race, and this has distinctly been the aim all season. His profile fits the mould as a potential winner of this wide-open Grade 1 race, so he’s the bet under the services of Patrick Mullins, with significant improvement to come. 

High Class Hero, 0.5 pts E/W, 10/1

Its On The Line beat FERNS LOCK (tipped 3/1) in his penultimate start, but the margin between the two was seriously close, and I expect the latter to reverse the form this time around with this course sure to play into his hands. 

He has won four of his six starts under rules and subsequently won with loads in hand at Thurles on soft ground. He is very consistent, jumps well, stays well, and is strongly fancied to take the honours for David Christie.

Ferns Lock, 2pts WIN, 3/1

The most interesting runner who warrants interest is SAMCRO (tipped 16/1). He is a former two-time winner at the Cheltenham Festival and has been in superb form in point-to-point races of late, winning five of his last six. 

This will be his first go in this sphere, but it’s clear to see that Gordon Elliott thinks he’s capable of running a big race, and he is undoubtedly the class act in the field despite his rising years. In his first go in this sphere, the veteran must be given the utmost respect. 

Samcro, 0.5 pts E/W, 16/1

It would be rather fitting should NO ORDINARY JOE (tipped 10/1) win the Martin Pipe for trainer Nicky Henderson. He was second last year and is only a pound higher in the handicap this time around. 

The ground won’t be of concern, and despite the stable form, he could ensure his handler doesn’t go home empty-handed. With five places widely available, he should run well. 

No Ordinary Joe, 0.5 pts E/W, 10/1, 5 places

RIVIERE D’ETEL (tipped 10/1) beat a below-par Allegorie de Vassy by a wide margin in a Grade 3 race at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day.

Although the latter comprehensively reversed the form in February, she was going well when she fell in this last year having been badly hampered. 

At a juicy price, with conditions and the trip to suit, she could serve it up to the top three in the betting. 

Riviere D’etel, 0.5 pts E/W, 10/1

Waterford Whispers has been well found in the market, and preference is for BETTER DAYS AHEAD (tipped 7/1) for the Gordon Elliott team.

He was down the field in last year’s Champion Bumper, but he’s taken well to hurdles, and after winning over three miles at Fairyhouse, he’s run well in two starts since. 

He’ll love the conditions and looks quite well treated off a mark of 140 on his handicap debut. Five places are generally available. 

Better Days Ahead, 0.5 pts E/W, 7/1