UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Ginny's Destiny could follow in the footsteps of stablemate Stage Star, who landed the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase en route to winning this 12 months ago. He defeated Grey Dawning on his penultimate outing, too, although the latter had excuses and it would come as no surprise if both were involved in the finish today. Facile Vega heads the Willie Mullins challenge, although he will need to jump with greater fluency than he did in the Irish Arkle. Sharjah might be an 11-year-old now but he is no back number, while Djelo is another to merit consideration following a solid second in the Scilly Isles at Sandown. However, the vote goes to last year's Martin Pipe victor IROKO, who made a faultless start to his chasing career when on target at Warwick back in November. A 128-day absence might be cause for concern for a few, but he remains a top-class prospect and can find the required improvement to make his mark at the highest level.
Prediction : 1st Iroko 2nd Ginnys Destiny 3rd Grey Dawning

The Irish have had somewhat of a stranglehold on this contest in recent years, with seven victories in the past eight renewals, which suggests that their stayers are slightly better handicapped when raiding these shores. Moreover, Gordon Elliott, who claimed the spoils between 2018-2020, warrants maximum respect in this event and CLEATUS POOLAW may further enhance his fine record. The six-year-old posted a solid second when qualifying at Naas last month and this point-to-point winner looks sure to relish his first attempt at this distance under Rules. The progressive Gaoth Chuil is also likely to prove popular after her close-up second at the Dublin Racing Festival. She is relatively unexposed over this trip and is feared most. Having fallen down to an attractive mark, Chantry House might be the pick of the home team in first-time blinkers. Cuthbert Dibble, who is chasing a four-timer, may not have finished improving.
Prediction : 1st Cleatus Poolaw 2nd Gaoth Chuil 3rd Chantry House

Banbridge has been very popular for this contest since making a triumphant return to action in the Silviniaco Conti at Kempton when fending off subsequent Ascot Chase hero Pic D'Orhy. Unfortunately for connections, the weather hasn't been in his favour and it has to be a major concern whether he even takes his chance on account of testing ground. The conditions would also be a worry for last year's Turners winner Stage Star, who added the Paddy Power Gold Cup to his CV in November, as his latest effort saw him pulled up over C&D on heavy. That seems to pave the way for ENVOI ALLEN to gain a fourth success at the meeting. He travelled supremely well when landing this prize 12 months ago and was as good as ever when just denied by Gerri Colombe at Down Royal in November. Confidence within the camp appears to be high and the 10-year-old gets the vote to enhance his excellent Festival record. Fil Dor doesn't have many miles on the clock over fences and is an interesting contender stepping up in trip following his efforts behind Dinoblue and El Fabiolo, while the going shouldn't be a concern for Cotswold Chase scorer Capodanno.
Prediction : 1st Envoi Allen 2nd Fil Dor 3rd Capodanno

With some many old favourites renewing rivalries, this year's edition of the stayers' crown presents a tricky puzzle for punters to solve. Last year's winner, Sire Du Berlais, has the heart of a lion and, as he proved 12 months ago, is dangerous to underestimate, while Flooring Porter won the two previous renewals and has all the right credentials to be on the premises once again. Teahupoo showed his versatility when landing the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse over 2m4f on his most recent start and heads here with a big chance of bettering his third-placed finish last year. 2022 Grand National hero Noble Yeats also scores highly for his ability to adapt and, considering he had Paisley Park (second) and Dashel Drasher (fourth) behind when he won the Cleeve Hurdle over this course and distance in January, he is no back number here. However, it may pay to cast the net even wider and consider ASTERION FORLONGE, whose second to Irish Point at Leopardstown stands up to scrutiny as a rock-solid piece of form and his yard won this race in 2017 and 2018.
Prediction : 1st Asterion Forlonge 2nd Sire Du Berlais 3rd Flooring Porter

5-5 is the score between the English and Irish in this valuable prize over the last 10 years, and the winner of each of the last two renewals have come at a price. With that in mind, the Henry De Bromhead-trained ARCTIC BRESIL looks the way to go. The seven-year-old is yet to taste success over fences in three starts, but his most recent second behind the promising Mister Policeman at Punchestown suggests he is on the improve and that performance makes a mark of 135 look manageable on his handicap debut. Last year's third, Shakem Up'arry, only has a 4lb higher mark to contend with this time around and comes into the race on the back of a smooth C&D victory in the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap. Crebilly is likely to attract plenty of support after beating two rivals who have finished second in Grade 2 events, so he should be competitive off a rating of 140.
Prediction : 1st Arctic Bresil 2nd Shakem Uparry 3rd Crebilly

This looks a high-class renewal, with the three at the top of the betting market all undefeated under NH Rules. Dysart Enos impressed when beating the reopposing Golden Ace in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last season and she hasn't put a foot wrong in three starts over timber so far this term. She boasts C&D-winning form and receives 5lb off her two main rivals, so demands respect for the Fergal O'Brien camp. Jade De Grugy built on her maiden romp when readily landing a Grade 3 contest at Fairyhouse in January and she will have plenty of supporters representing the stable that won this race five years in a row from 2016 to 2020. However, BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD is progressing in the manner of a really smart mare and she was faultless when sauntering to Listed success at Navan last month. She looks versatile in terms of trip, is proven on testing ground and has been spoken about in glowing terms by top handler Gordon Elliott in the build-up to this year's Festival. If you believe the hype, she could be the real deal.
Prediction : 1st Brighterdaysahead 2nd Jade De Grugy 3rd Dysart Enos

Inothewayurthinkin went into several notebooks with some promising efforts behind top novices before not receiving much luck in running when tackling handicap company for the first time at the Dublin Racing Festival. Stepping up in trip might yield improvement based on pedigree, but it remains to be seen how well handicapped he is. Last year's heroine Angels Dawn ran with plenty of credit when third in the Thyestes - a performance that suggested she has improved - and she warrants a place on the shortlist, despite being 11lb higher this time around. Cool Survivor is the shortest priced of Gordon Elliott's contenders but it is his stablemate WHERE IT ALL BEGAN who makes considerable appeal. He announced himself as a staying chaser on the up when running away with the Punchestown National Trial by 16 lengths and, with conditions very much in his favour, the eight-year-old may well have more to offer. Coral Trophy third Bowtogreatness, City Chief, who sports cheekpieces for the first time, and Git Maker are others capable of reaching the frame.
Prediction : 1st Where It All Began 2nd Angels Dawn 3rd Bowtogreatness