UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Nine of the last 13 renewals have either gone the way of Willie Mullins or Nicky Henderson and that trend is likely to be enhanced. There has been plenty of hype surrounding Mighty Park after he won with his head in his chest at Fairyhouse and with his master handler likening him to Faugheen subsequently, it's not hard to see why he has been all the rage. However, there is lots of substance to the form of OLD PARK STAR, who produced a brilliant display when hosing up in the Rossington Main at Haydock. Henderson's six-year-old is a straightforward type and can remain unbeaten over timber. Barry Connell has a fine record in this race in the last three years, with a gold and silver medal on his resume, so Eachtotheirown shouldn't be underestimated.
Prediction : 1st Old Park Star 2nd Mighty Park 3rd Eachtotheirown

One of the big Anglo-Irish clashes of the week, with the exciting Lulamba taking on last year's Supreme hero Kopek Des Bordes. The former arrives unbeaten in three starts over fences and has followed the same route Nicky Henderson plotted with Sprinter Sacre (2012) and Altior (2017) by landing the Game Spirit against seasoned chasers en route. However, the five-year-old can take time to warm to his task and there has to be a concern that he might be taken off his feet early doors. Kopek Des Bordes tries to become just the third horse this century to land an Arkle on the back of one outing over fences, having missed key prep runs after impressing at Navan in November. Recent schooling sessions seem to have left his camp very confident he is ready to face a test of this nature, but it wouldn't be a surprise if stable companion KARGESE came out on top. Runner-up in the 2024 Triumph to Majborough, the mare was a comfortable winner of the County Hurdle 12 months ago and all of her best form has come in the spring. She did remarkably well to battle back after a mistake at the last against Romeo Coolio in the Irish Arkle, going down by a neck, and that experience may give her a vital edge.
Prediction : 1st Kargese 2nd Lulamba 3rd Kopek Des Bordes

SARATOGA has a similar profile to his half-brother Brazil, who beat Gaelic Warrior in the 2022 renewal for Padraig Roche and Mark Walsh, in that he came from Ballydoyle as a smart Flat recruit and has taken well to the jumping game. He made an unbeaten filly pull out all the stops at Naas and this looks to have been a carefully laid-out plan. The JP McManus colours are also carried by Manlaga, who was once prominent in the Triumph Hurdle market and beat Pourquoi Pas Papa and The Mighty Celt at Haydock, although she is now 6lb worse off with both. Jack Kennedy is a fascinating booking for Winston Junior considering Gordon Elliott is doubly represented, while Quinta Do Lago chased home a couple of Willie Mullins' leading Triumph contenders at Fairyhouse. Mullins' chief hope in this contest is probably Madness D'elle.
Prediction : 1st Saratoga 2nd Winston Junior 3rd Manlaga

Iroko, a previous Festival winner, finished fourth in last season's Grand National and all roads lead towards Aintree once again. The form of his Ascot victory just before Christmas has worked out nicely, with runner-up Firefox not far off the principals in the Irish Gold Cup, and he is expected to be right in the mix, despite carrying top weight. Jagwar needs to finish in the first four if connections want him to join his stable companion in Liverpool next month and there is definitely hope that the step up in trip can bring about improvement. Last year's winner Myretown hasn't kicked on as expected and his stamina limitations were on display in Haydock's Grand National Trial, while his jumping has left a lot to be desired at times. Leave Of Absence went close to winning a big handicap at Ascot just before Christmas but the vote goes to HYLAND, who finished fourth there after a crucial mistake two out. Unlucky in the Coral Gold Cup when hampered by the fall of Myretown, he remains capable of landing a prize off his current mark and it is notable that connections reach for first-time cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Hyland 2nd Iroko 3rd Jagwar

It's hard to ignore the claims of last year's Turners winner THE NEW LION, who has been targeted at this ever since. He was still in command when falling at the second-last in the Fighting Fifth, with 2025 Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace once again the beneficiary of the contest falling apart. That was The New Lion's sole defeat in an otherwise impressive career and after he got back on track with a workmanlike display in the International here, there is a suspicion that untapped potential could be unlocked in Dan Skelton's charge. Brighterdaysahead turned the tables on her Christmas conqueror Lossiemouth in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown but the application of first-time cheekpieces, along with the return to better ground, may work in the favour of Willie Mullins' mare. Those two are the obvious dangers, although Greatwood/Kingwell victor Alexei is working his way through the ranks and is well worth his place at this level.
Prediction : 1st The New Lion 2nd Lossiemouth 3rd Brighterdaysahead

MADARA spent more than a year on the sidelines and after blowing away the cobwebs at Wetherby over Christmas, he took a step forward to claim the silver medal at Kempton. He goes well at Cheltenham and can capitalise on competing off the same mark as when runner-up in the 2024 December Gold Cup here. McLaurey was a bitter disappointment in last year's County Hurdle, but he returns having been brought along patiently over fences and he could be nicely treated. Down Memory Lane has been off since landing a competitive handicap at Navan, and Will The Wise has also been freshened up after coming up short in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown. Classy novice No Questions Asked has to be taken seriously too.
Prediction : 1st Madara 2nd McLaurey 3rd No Questions Asked

Backmersackme caught the eye when runner-up here in October and came good when landing a valuable prize at the Dublin Racing Festival. This appears to have been the long-term plan, although the extra distance isn't guaranteed to suit. Newton Tornado booked his place with an impressive victory at Doncaster in January and is capable of further progression after a 6lb rise. Wade Out sports first-time cheekpieces, which will need to assist Sean Bowen, but he is respected up in trip, while Holloway Queen would be a massive player if replicating her impressive Newbury success. Paul Nolan is no stranger to lining one up for this meeting and ICEBERG THEORY makes plenty of appeal. The seven-year-old won a handicap in fine style at Cork in November and shapes as though a staying test will bring out the very best in him.
Prediction : 1st Iceberg Theory 2nd Newton Tornado 3rd Holloway Queen