UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Having struggled in a couple of Grade 1's, most recently the Triumph here last month, SAINTE LUCIE looks fairly treated from a mark of 131 now sent handicapping and it would come as no surprise were Willie Mullins' filly to bounce back. Fellow title chaser Dan Skelton is represented by Doncaster winner Our Lil, who, from the foot of the handicap, looks capable of further improvement. Others to note include Maxios Prime and Matwana.
Prediction : 1st Sainte Lucie 2nd Our Lil 3rd Maxios Prime

SAINTE DOCTOR made it five from 14 over the larger obstacles when completing her hat-trick at Ludlow recently and although 6lb higher today, Neil Mulholland's mare has shown no signs of relenting and might be up to the task. Front runner Moviddy made all to win at Wincanton last time out. A prominent style of racing can often benefit around here so she merits respect, along with stablemates Lady Jago and Coco Mademoiselle, neither of whom should be far away for team Skelton.
Prediction : 1st Sainte Doctor 2nd Moviddy 3rd Lady Jago

This is competitive and only a tentative vote can go to BETHPAGE, who showed the benefit of recent wind surgery when on target at Wincanton last month. Emma Lavelle's charge has scope for further improvement and she does not look overburdened by a subsequent 3lb rise, while conditions ought to favour the mare too. Batwomen picked up well to score at Fontwell last Friday having travelled strongly into contention and she is a leading player under a 6lb penalty. Half a length separated Greyval (winner) and Shantwopointfive (second) at Chepstow last time and the pair should be closely matched once again on revised terms.
Prediction : 1st Bethpage 2nd Batwomen 3rd Greyval

Willie Mullins continues his assault on the trainers' championship with both A Penny A Hundred and Judicieuse Allen entered here, though neither look particularly well handicapped and they may struggle to give the weight away to Henry Daly's PARTY VIBES. A winner last time out at Leicester over a fraction shorter, the manner of that performance suggests an added 3lb from the handicapper may not be enough to stop her. Theatre Native is also of interest stepping up in trip and may not have reached her ceiling of ability over fences.
Prediction : 1st Party Vibes 2nd Theatre Native 3rd A Penny A Hundred

Metkayina was not disgraced when a 50/1 fifth in the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month and the step up in trip here is expected to suit. La Pinsonniere was unlucky at Newbury to be beaten half a length, despite being badly hampered by a faller at the second. However, Irish raider SAINTE TARTARE hacked up to take her maiden at Limerick and, with the runner-up winning equally impressively next time out, the form looks solid. The step up in class is unlikely to be a barrier to success.
Prediction : 1st Sainte Tartare 2nd Metkayina 3rd La Pinsonniere

SOMESPRING SPECIAL has switched to Philip Hobbs and Johnson White' yard since landing this contest last year. She beat a subsequent winner with the minimum of fuss at Wincanton on her reappearance and appears primed to make another bold bid on the strength of that form. Lime Drop is a tough and consistent chaser and can feature again raised 4lb for beating the reopposing Ostrava Du Berlais (second) at Warwick, while Shakeyatailfeather posted her best effort over fences to date when finding one too good at Leicester and she looks to have more to offer.
Prediction : 1st Somespring Special 2nd Lime Drop 3rd Shakeyatailfeather

Placed in point-to-points in Ireland, QUEENS ABBEY made an encouraging debut under Rules when finishing third in a competitive bumper at Newbury. Ben Pauling's inmate can launch a serious challenge with improvement expected. Taktique Gagnante is going the right way based on her third at Cork in January. She debuts for new connections with a shout if building on that promising effort, while Sheezer Dancer is a half-sister to a smart hurdle/chase winner in France and is newcomer to note for the Skelton team.
Prediction : 1st Queens Abbey 2nd Taktique Gagnante 3rd Sheezer Dancer