UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Kopek Des Bordes marked himself down as a novice hurdler to be reckoned with when bolting up over 2m in a Leopardstown Grade 1 last month, and he must be respected bidding to get favourite backers off to a flyer. That said, this doesn't look like the penalty kick that his forecast odds would suggest and WILLIAM MUNNY is narrowly preferred. The seven-year-old finished runner-up on his first two starts over hurdles, when not perfect in the jumping department, but he put in a much more professional round en route to hacking up in a Listed hurdle over 2m at Punchestown most recently. With the promise of more to come from this progressive sort, he gets the nod. Workahead, who had the selection in second when scoring last time out, also enters calculations, along with Romeo Coolio.
Prediction : 1st William Munny 2nd Kopek Des Bordes 3rd Workahead

The absence of Sir Gino leaves a big hole that may well be filled by MAJBOROUGH. Willie Mullins wasted little time in sending the five-year-old over fences after his Triumph success last year, with impressive victories at Fairyhouse and in the Irish Arkle. His jumping was slightly ponderous on the latter occasion but that should be ironed out, especially with some more experience under his belt. L'eau Du Sud brings an unbeaten record over fences to the table having been particularly strong over C&D in November. The seven-year-old has also looked more the finished article, displaying a tough attitude in the Henry VIII at Sandown on testing ground before beating the subsequent Pendil winner Rubaud at Warwick. Nicky Henderson is still represented by Jango Baie following his runner-up effort in the Scilly Isles and the fact he stays further isn't a negative to his chances.
Prediction : 1st Majborough 2nd Leau Du Sud 3rd Jango Baie

WHISTLE STOP TOUR represents the Derek Fox and Lucinda Russell combination who took this event with the Grand National hero Corach Rambler in 2022 and 2023. The seven-year-old struck in good fashion over 3m at Ayr prior to not being at his best when dropped in trip at this venue last time. Therefore, this step back up in distance and 1lb lower rating might see him improve on only his fifth chase start. The Changing Man made a mockery of the field in the Reynoldstown at Ascot last month and is likely to have plenty of supporters now that he drops back into a handicap off a possibly lenient mark. Although, he might suffer from a contested lead from Broadway Boy and Henry's Friend, who both merit second looks.
Prediction : 1st Whistle Stop Tour 2nd The Changing Man 3rd Broadway Boy

A hurdler out of the top drawer, LOSSIEMOUTH, who had the option of switching to the Champion Hurdle, bids to win this for the second time having returned the impressive victor 12 months ago. Wilie Mullins' mare found only Constitution Hill too good in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in December, before suffering a rare mishap when falling at Leopardstown last month, and she can stamp her authority on this field. Stablemate Jade De Grugy landed a Grade 1 contest at Fairyhouse as a novice last year and should have plenty more to offer this season. She returned to action with a convincing success in Grade 3 company at Punchestown, while July Flower returned to Henry De Bromhead's yard with a Grade 3 victory at Leopardstown and she seems sure to give another good account of herself. Nicky Henderson takes on the Irish raiders with Joyeuse, who won a competitive Grade 3 handicap hurdle at Newbury last month. The latter finished a promising runner-up here before that, when Take No Chances was a neck behind in third, and that pair are hard to separate.
Prediction : 1st Lossiemouth 2nd Jade De Grugy 3rd July Flower

State Man was the one to benefit from the absence of the unbeaten CONSTITUTION HILL in last year's renewal, but Nicky Henderson's eight-year-old is back in a bid to regain his crown. The son of Blue Bresil is an eight-time Grade 1 winner, who took the Supreme here in 2022 before bolting up in the 2023 renewal of this prestigious prize. Despite a mistake at the last, he cantered home in the International over C&D in January to put him spot on for this assignment and it's hard to see his colours being lowered. If there are any chinks in his armour, then the one to take full advantage might be the exciting Brighterdaysahead, who was mightily impressive when beating State Man in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in December. Gordon Elliott's mare looks the biggest danger to the favourite following that career-best effort and she may have more to offer.
Prediction : 1st Constitution Hill 2nd Brighterdaysahead 3rd State Man

Stencil has been very popular for this contest since his second to East India Dock here on trials day, when finishing well clear of the third, and the French challenger is expected to have more improvement to come. Total Look's jumping wasn't particularly fluent at Punchestown in January but he is likely to step forward with cheekpieces now applied. The vote, though, goes to PUTURHANDSTOGETHER, who Mark Walsh has chosen ahead of stable companion Beyond Your Dreams, having won on his second hurdles start at Cork before running against older horses when runner-up at Fairyhouse last month. Useful on the Flat last season, he has a fair amount of scope to progress further now sent handicapping over timber. The aforementioned Beyond Your Dreams is another key player, while Sony Bill, Quantock Hills and Liam Swagger are also noted.
Prediction : 1st Puturhandstogether 2nd Beyond Your Dreams 3rd Stencil

As is to be expected now the race is a handicap, this looks like a much more open renewal of the National Hunt Chase than in recent years, and while Ireland have dominated it of late, the prize could remain on British shores this time around. RESPLENDENT GREY has done little wrong since going chasing this season, and although his run here last time over 2m4f was slightly disappointing, his efforts prior to that over 3m suggested this longer trip should suit. He's fancied to give the Olly Murphy team a first Festival winner. Haiti Couleurs is another who shaped like he'd relish this marathon trip when finishing third over 3m at Newbury last time and he looks set to go well for Rebecca Curtis. Things haven't quite gone to plan for Kyntara since going chasing, but he looks very well handicapped on the best of his hurdles form and he could be capable of playing a part in the finish.
Prediction : 1st Resplendent Grey 2nd Haiti Couleurs 3rd Kyntara