UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

THE YELLOW CLAY, who was sixth in the Champion bumper here 12 months ago before finishing as the runner-up in the Punchestown equivalent last May, has flourished over hurdles and is an attractive proposition bidding to maintain his unbeaten status in this discipline. The son of Yeats travelled stylishly when recording a Grade 1 success at Naas in January and should be spot on for his Festival return. Final Demand and The New Lion have also yet to taste defeat and are serious players. The former could hardly have been more impressive when bridging the gap from winning a Limerick maiden to score readily in the top-tier at Leopardstown last month. He rates the pick of Willie Mullin's sextet as the trainer bids for a fourth consecutive winner of this race. The latter simply seems to be getting better with each run and is the most striking contender for the home-trained team, although Potters Charm and Sixmilebridge have live each-way chances.
Prediction : 1st The Yellow Clay 2nd Final Demand 3rd The New Lion

With no English challengers going to post for this year's renewal, the Irish raider who makes the most appeal is BALLYBURN, who is one of four contenders for the Willie Mullins yard. The son of Flemensfirth romped home in the Gallagher at last year's Festival and has progressed with each of his three starts over fences this campaign. His best effort came last month when giving a five-length beating to Croke Park, who came into that Leopardstown contest seeking a hat-trick at the top level. The seven-year-old looks to have been perfectly primed for this assignment and he can give his trainer back-to-back successes in this race. His stablemate Dancing City is no slouch, as he secured three Grade 1 wins over the smaller obstacles last year and is unbeaten in two outings over fences. The son of Feel Like Dancing could have lots more to offer, so he has to be respected, along with Better Days Ahead.
Prediction : 1st Ballyburn 2nd Dancing City 3rd Better Days Ahead

Having landed the last two renewals of this contest, Dan Skelton's sole representative Be Aware must be taken seriously. The six-year-old finished a cracking second in the Greatwood here in November and he may not have been at his best when subsequently beaten at Ascot. The son of Martaline has untapped potential over this distance and an 81-day break will have freshened him up. However, Nicky Henderson has scooped this prize four times since 2010 and IMPOSE TOI may further enhance his fine record. The JP McManus-owned gelding arrives on the back of a career-best victory in a class 2 event at Newbury and a 7lb higher mark is unlikely to prevent another bold bid. First-time cheekpieces may eke out further improvement from the son of It's Gino and a seventh career victory may beckon. Comfort Zone posted an excellent third at Leopardstown over Christmas and he is the pick of the Irish contingent, followed closely by last year's runner-up Ballyadam and Jimmy Du Seuil.
Prediction : 1st Impose Toi 2nd Be Aware 3rd Comfort Zone

It is difficult to get away from STUMPTOWN. Gavin Cromwell's charge has to concede weight all round but boasts a really good record at Cheltenham (2-5 including two placed efforts) and he's 1-1 over C&D. He unseated his rider on his Cross Country debut at Punchestown last May but hasn't looked back since, with three straight wins in this sphere making him the one to beat. The eight-year-old won much more easily than the winning margin suggests when he got the better of Mister Coffey here in December and everything points to a big run. Gordon Elliott's horses are always taken seriously in this race and Galvin, a former Grade 1 scorer and Festival winner in 2021, looks the pick of his six runners. Vanillier is another Cromwell horse to watch out for as he beat the reopposing Coko Beach by some 18 lengths at Punchestown last month and also won the Albert Bartlett here in 2021. Busselton and Latenightpass may appeal to those looking for an each-way play in the race.
Prediction : 1st Stumptown 2nd Galvin 3rd Vanillier

This illustrious contest hasn't been too kind to favourites over the years, with the likes of Sprinter Sacre, Douvan and Shishkin all being defeated. There are doubts surrounding a few of these, though, and Nicky Henderson will be hopeful that JONBON can justify a short price. The classy son of Walk In The Park recorded yet another Grade 1 success when proving far too strong for the reopposing Energumene in the Clarence House at Ascot last time out. The nine-year-old may not get the respect he deserves at times but victory here would surely rubber stamp him as one the very best of this current crop. It would be dangerous to allow Solness, now a dual Grade 1 winner following his success in the Dublin Chase, an easy time of things in front and he's the main threat. Marine Nationale has been chasing his tail recently but the 2023 Supreme winner cannot be overlooked.
Prediction : 1st Jonbon 2nd Solness 3rd Marine Nationale

Last year's winner Unexpected Party bids for a repeat off 6lb higher. Dan Skelton's charge warmed up for this with a good effort at Windsor and can launch another serious challenge. The King Of Prs fell in last year's renewal, but won a Grade 3 handicap in good style at Fairyhouse in January and can feature with a clear round. JAZZY MATTY landed the Fred Winter here back in 2023 and was narrowly beaten, despite the unfavourable terms, over these fences in October. A subsequent prep over hurdles at Thurles will have him primed for action and Cian Collins' six-year-old is fancied to run a big race. My Mate Mozzie returned to action with respectable second at Leopardstown and could land a blow, while both So Scottish and American Mike merit consideration.
Prediction : 1st Jazzy Matty 2nd Unexpected Party 3rd The King Of Prs

Willie Mullins has dominated the Champion Bumper for the best part of three decades, winning it 13 times including last year with Jasmin De Vaux. A quite memorable success too, given he was ridden by his son Patrick Mullins to notch up a century of Festival wins for the Closutton maestro. He is well represented again, saddling five, and Copacabana looked the real deal when bolting up on debut at Navan. He will no doubt prove popular, but his stablemate GAMEOFINCHES just edges it on the basis that he was equally as impressive on his Rules bow at Punchestown last month and has a bit more experience from his time in the pointing sphere. Bambino Fever looks the pick of his two mares having created a striking impression at the Dublin Racing Festival, while Listed Navan winner Kalypso'chance boasts a similar profile to her and is another to bear in mind.
Prediction : 1st Gameofinches 2nd Copacabana 3rd Kalypsochance