UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

2024 Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly is a fascinating hurdling debutant and he must enter calculations. However, James Owen's charge does have something to prove after finishing last in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury in August and GAELIC PRIDE is more appealing. The five-year-old finished a respectable eighth in the Grade 2 Aintree bumper in April and should have learned plenty from his second-placed hurdling bow at Fontwell last month. Hold The Serve proved a ready winner of his sole point-to-point and is also of interest on his Rules debut.
Prediction : 1st Gaelic Pride 2nd Ambiente Friendly 3rd Hold The Serve

There was plenty of encouragement to be taken from JAX JUNIOR's second-placed chase bow behind last season's Welsh Champion Hurdle winner at Uttoxeter 16 days ago. The six-year-old is sure to appreciate this return to 2m4f and an official rating of 136 looks workable based on his novice hurdle form. Having made a winning return over the larger obstacles at Aintree last month, another bold bid is forecast from Jordans Cross, while Kim Roque boasts some useful French form and cannot be dismissed.
Prediction : 1st Jax Junior 2nd Jordans Cross 3rd Kim Roque

Having finished last season on a high when completing a double at Chepstow, Ballybreeze cannot be dismissed on a hat-trick. However, a further 3lb rise and deeper contest could leave the nine-year-old vulnerable. With that in mind, it could be worth chancing Irish raider ST FAZ, who shaped with promise on his latest fifth at Down Royal. Champion jockey Sean Bowen takes over in the saddle and Gordon Elliott's charge could be poised to strike. Cabhfuilfungi and 2023 winner Triple Trade are feasible alternatives.
Prediction : 1st St Faz 2nd Ballybreeze 3rd Cabhfuilfungi

Ground conditions could get quite testing and, with that in mind, preference is for TANGANYIKA. Venetia Williams' gelding made great strides over fences in the spring, winning at Market Rasen at Carlisle before posting an excellent second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter. He returns to action off 6lb higher but, having already won three times on heavy ground, he may well resume his progress. Classy operator Protektorat merits the utmost respect off top-weight, as does Marble Sands, who has a fitness edge after a spin on the Flat last month. Veteran Sam Brown is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Tanganyika 2nd Protektorat 3rd Marble Sands

Useful in the novice ranks last term, CELTIC DINO made an excellent start to the new campaign when defeating Alexei (second) in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow last month. The latter has since won in commanding fashion at Ascot but Sam Thomas' gelding can confirm his superiority. Ground conditions would be an unknown should they become extremely soft, but the son of Doctor Dino is clearly on the up and could have more to offer. This is competitive, though, and there ought to be a host of challengers. Serious Challenge made a pleasing seasonal return at Aintree three weeks ago and is noted along with Gibbs Island. Iberico Lord lost his way following a fall at Ascot last season but he won this in 2023.
Prediction : 1st Celtic Dino 2nd Alexei 3rd Serious Challenge

Fergal O'Brien often does well in bumpers and Chicker looks more than capable of enhancing that record. An impressive winner at Worcester on his debut before following up over C&D under a penalty last month, he looks a nice type and should have plenty more to offer. That said, preference is for BUD FOX. The Irish raider won between the flags before being picked up by Gavin Cromwell, and he made an immediate impression for that stable when he landed a bumper at Punchestown in fine style back in April. That form has been well advertised since and he's one to follow this season. Others to note include The Mad Poet and Saint Jeannais.
Prediction : 1st Bud Fox 2nd Chicker 3rd The Mad Poet