UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Kingston Queen made the frame in the Grade 2 mares' bumper at the Grand National meeting and started her hurdling career by beating a couple of subsequent winners at Chepstow. She was forced to miss a recent Newbury engagement, though, and comes up against some really promising geldings. Top of that list is OLD PARK STAR, who began his time with Nicky Henderson in the best possible manner at Kempton and there will be a lot more in the tank. Minella Marathon, Our Boy Stan, Lisbane Park and Sherminator all add further spice to what is sure to turn out to be a very informative affair.
Prediction : 1st Old Park Star 2nd Minella Marathon 3rd Our Boy Stan

Sixmilebridge wasn't far short of the best as a novice hurdler and claimed the scalp of the well-touted Derryhassen Paddy on his chasing debut at Ayr. That experience will stand him in good stead, but he does have a penalty and CALIFET EN VOL has the potential to go far in this discipline. Nicky Henderson's six-year-old was only three lengths behind The New Lion just over a year ago and although he has been off since letting down favourite-backers in an Aintree Grade 1 back in the spring, his previous Huntingdon defeat of No Questions Asked reads well. Royal Infantry is another newcomer to fences with the talent to get involved.
Prediction : 1st Califet En Vol 2nd Sixmilebridge 3rd Royal Infantry

It wasn't the strongest Grade 2 novice hurdle that Fortune De Mer landed here, but he dug deep and his subsequent Ascot second was another step forward. Leloopa showed the benefit of wind surgery when scoring comfortably at the October meeting, while French Emperor is another last-start Cheltenham winner after supplementing a Worcester triumph last month. KEL DU LARGE's finest moment so far came at this venue - a Listed bumper victory in January 2024 - and although beaten at odds-on on his Exeter comeback, the run will have blown away the cobwebs. An initial mark of 114 looks more than workable.
Prediction : 1st Kel Du Large 2nd Fortune De Mer 3rd Leloopa

Last year's victor King Turgeon returns off 3lb higher and was coming into this contest in better form last season after winning the Grand Sefton, a race he could only manage sixth in this time. Herakles Westwood finished second on deep ground here last time and is respected with the Warren Greatrex yard in good form, but L'HOMME PRESSE makes the most appeal. Venetia Williams' dual Grade 1 winner was victorious off a mark of 164 the last time he competed in a handicap and, if retaining that level of ability on his return, he could take some stopping.
Prediction : 1st LHomme Presse 2nd King Turgeon 3rd Herakles Westwood

It's hard to ignore the claims of ELDORADO ALLEN after convincingly beating Can You Call (third) and Fugitif (fifth) at this venue last month. Joe Tizzard's charge was having his first start back and the 11-year-old remains on a workable rating, so he looks the one to beat. Torn And Frayed is a C&D winner who accounted for Le Milos at Aintree two starts ago and he's likely to mount a bold bid from the front.
Prediction : 1st Eldorado Allen 2nd Torn And Frayed 3rd Can You Call

Final Orders goes for last year's winning trainer Gavin Cromwell after making the frame at Punchestown and has shown a liking for this discipline, so he has to be respected. Iceo Madrik unseated his rider at the third in this event last season and may fare better this time around, but LATENIGHTPASS looks the one to side with. Tom Ellis' veteran finished just over three lengths behind Mister Coffey in this contest last term but reversed that form when runner-up at the Festival.
Prediction : 1st Latenightpass 2nd Final Orders 3rd Iceo Madrik

Everyonesgame and Pike Road are both seeking doubles, and slight preference would be for the latter after his victory at Uttoxeter last month. Lucky Manifest was far from disgraced in second when bidding for a hat-trick at this venue last time, but the vote goes to TRANQUIL SEA. Dan Skelton's gelding took a step back in the right direction after undergoing a wind operation to take the silver medal home in this grade at Market Rasen, and he could take advantage off an unchanged mark.
Prediction : 1st Tranquil Sea 2nd Pike Road 3rd Lucky Manifest