UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Willie Mullins has dominated this race in recent years and the master of Closutton saddles a whopping 11 runners, although he doesn't appear to have a standout candidate, with Lady Vega Allen possibly his best chance. She has twice been beaten by Hello Neighbour, including at the Dublin Racing Festival, and could struggle to reverse form with Gavin Cromwell's gelding, while French import Larzac is interesting but you would like to see more market support behind him. The home team perhaps have a stronger hand, with EAST INDIA DOCK looking the most solid option. A smart operator on the Flat for James Fanshawe, the son of Golden Horn hasn't looked back since being switched to timber, clocking up three wins and improving with each start. He has won on both the New and Old Courses here, seemingly goes on any ground, and is a straightforward ride. His main danger could be Lulamba, who arrived from France with a big reputation and made light work of beating Mondo Man at Ascot. Tom Lacey's unbeaten hurdler Gibbs Island could go well at longer odds.
Prediction : 1st East India Dock 2nd Lulamba 3rd Hello Neighbour

Absurde is 8lb higher than his last-to-first success in this 12 months ago and was last seen running with a huge amount of credit when fifth in the Melbourne Cup. The drier conditions this year would make his life a bit easier, but giving 5lb to his stable companion KARGESE might prove too much. The choice of Paul Townend, her juvenile form behind Majborough in the Triumph and Sir Gino at Aintree speaks for itself and she is expected to have stepped forward plenty from her comeback at Ascot in January. Last year's Fred Winter hero Lark In The Mornin caught the eye at Leopardstown over Christmas and has to be a huge threat, especially with the yard among the winners this week. The improving pair of Mclaurey and Ethical Diamond are others likely to be in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Kargese 2nd Absurde 3rd Lark In The Mornin

Limerick Lace accounted for Dinoblue (second) and ALLEGORIE DE VASSY (fourth) in last year's renewal, but she hasn't pulled up any trees since and connections now reach for first-time cheekpieces. Allegorie De Vassy gained her revenge when beating Gavin Cromwell's mare by no less than 25 lengths in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse prior to her neck defeat to Dinoblue at Naas. The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old will relish this step back up in trip and that will play to her strengths in her bid to get the better of her stablemate. Brides Hill was beaten at short odds in Listed company at Huntingdon, but she is a previous winner at this level and isn't out of it.
Prediction : 1st Allegorie De Vassy 2nd Dinoblue 3rd Limerick Lace

THE BIG WESTERNER had little difficulty in landing a Grade 2 at Limerick on Boxing Day, with that contest a useful stepping stone for previous winners of this contest in Weapon's Amnesty, Martello Tower, Penhill, Vanillier and last year's hero Stellar Story. Although Henry De Bromhead's six-year-old is aiming to become the first mare to land this event since its inception in 2005, she ticks plenty of the right boxes and could be set for the top. French raider Jet Blue stamped his claims when outstaying his rivals in a Grade 2 over C&D in December and won't lack for stamina in what is typically a war of attrition. Wingmen arrives on the back of two solid placed efforts in Grade 1 company and improvement cannot be ruled out now stepping up further in trip.
Prediction : 1st The Big Westerner 2nd Jet Blue 3rd Wingmen

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is almost impossible to oppose in his bid to join a select band of equine legends as a three-time Gold Cup winner. The imperious nine-year-old is as tough and consistent as he is classy and has looked better than ever this season in landing a second Savills Chase and a third Irish Gold Cup. He is seemingly bombproof. Connections of Fact To File admitted defeat after his clashes with Willie Mullins' superstar at Leopardstown and diverted to the Ryanair, with owner JP McManus represented instead by the supplemented Inothewayurthinkin, who was so good in the Kim Muir last year but only fourth in the Irish Gold Cup. Corbetts Cross, another 2024 Festival hero, also carries the famous green and gold silks, although he has plenty of ground to make up on Banbridge from their Kempton meeting. Providing he stays the trip, the Joseph O'Brien-trained King George hero looks the one for the forecast.
Prediction : 1st Galopin Des Champs 2nd Banbridge 3rd Inothewayurthinkin

ANGELS DAWN brings a high level of form to the table having landed the Kim Muir in 2023 before falling two out last year when arriving to challenge Gold Cup contender Inothewayurthinkin. A comfortable winner of a point-to-point in December, the daughter of Yeats may prefer softer ground but her class can see her through to a second Festival success. Runner-up last year as a short-priced favourite, Its On The Line has plenty of ground to make up with the reopposing Ryehill from their clash at Naas last month, but he has the services of Derek O'Connor and that's a big positive around here. Well backed in the lead up to this race, Willitgoahead looks to have been laid out for this having joined Gordon Elliott since impressing over 3m1f at Thurles in January. Of the British contingent, Music Drive is unbeaten in point-to-points since joining the Kelly Morgan stable and is one to consider, along with course winner Shearer, who is on a five-timer.
Prediction : 1st Angels Dawn 2nd Willitgoahead 3rd Ryehill

Kopeck De Mee might well be the next potential star performer to emerge from a contest that has thrown up Galopin Des Champs (2021) and Banbridge (2022) in recent seasons. All of his hurdle runs to date have come in France and the handicapper is taking a big chance with a mark of 136. The vote, though, goes to WODHOOH after she maintained her unbeaten record over hurdles over C&D in December when proving too strong for subsequent William Hill Hurdle winner Joyeuse and Take No Chances, who placed in the Mares Hurdle earlier in the week. Connections thought about supplementing her for the latter contest, so the fact they have opted to remain in handicaps suggests there could be further improvement to come. East India Express and 2023 runner-up No Ordinary Joe are both of huge interest with the former seeking a hat-trick following a quick-fire double at Ascot and Kempton in December. The latter warmed up for this with an eye-catching fourth at Warwick.
Prediction : 1st Wodhooh 2nd Kopeck De Mee 3rd East India Express