UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

Willie Mullins' stranglehold on this contest has loosened in recent years, but BAMBINO FEVER could be the bet of the week. Last year's Champion Bumper heroine was turned over by Oldschool Outlaw at Naas, but she made no mistake at Fairyhouse next time with the benefit of that run and it will take a mighty performance to beat her today. Henry de Bromhead won this in 2021 and 12 months ago, and Punchestown Listed winner Echoing Silence is a contender, for all that she does appear to want a test of stamina. Jamie Snowden was successful with You Wear It Well in 2023 and although his representative La Conquiere was beaten in a Grade 2 at Ascot in January, that race was tactical and it was still a creditable effort. Carrigmoornaspruce was perhaps a little fortunate to finish second in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown but this does represent a slight ease in class and, at a big price, spare a thought for Manganese, who made it three from three over timber at Doncaster.
Prediction : 1st Bambino Fever 2nd Oldschool Outlaw 3rd Echoing Silence

Paul Nicholls won this with Caldwell Potter 12 months ago and the Ditcheat maestro saddles an interesting runner in the shape of Regent's Stroll. The form of his second here on New Year's Day has been franked, although there has to be a worry that the atmosphere of the Festival may just get to him, especially given how keen he has been at times. Meetmebythesea will appreciate a sounder surface after qualifying when not sighted in the Game Spirit and the step up in trip is another angle for improvement, while the same owner's Stencil needs to prove his stamina after impressing at Chepstow. Jordans Cross won over C&D on Trials Day in a race that has a terrific record of throwing up Festival winners, but a chance is taken with OL MAN DINGLE. The seven-year-old scored on his first two chase starts at Galway and Cork before finding the ground too soft in the Drinmore. Freshened up since, the application of cheekpieces is another potential source of improvement and he may well prove to be overpriced.
Prediction : 1st Ol Man Dingle 2nd Meetmebythesea 3rd Jordans Cross

With dual winner Lossiemouth successfully diverted to the Champion Hurdle, and fellow top mares Brighterdaysahead and Golden Ace also fighting out Tuesday's showpiece, the way has apparently been paved clear for WODHOOH to register her first Grade 1 success. Victory in last year's Martin Pipe took her unbeaten record over timber to seven and after then chasing home Lossiemouth at Aintree, she proved too classy at Ascot before beating Feet Of A Dancer and Dream On Baby at Leopardstown. Gordon Elliott's mare appears bombproof, although Jade De Grugy did claim the silver medal 12 months ago and, after spending this campaign over fences, attempts to give Willie Mullins a remarkable 12th win in the race. Take No Chances also made the frame in 2025 and could do so again.
Prediction : 1st Wodhooh 2nd Jade De Grugy 3rd Take No Chances

Teahupoo has been the pre-eminent stayer for a few years now and has finished third, first and second in the last three renewals. After just keeping Ballyburn at bay to win his third Hatton's Grace, he was much more impressive when slamming BOB OLINGER by seven lengths at Leopardstown over Christmas. This season has been all about one day for Bob Olinger, though, and he was so good when quickening clear of Teahupoo after the last 12 months ago. His Cheltenham record is exemplary and he doesn't have many miles on the clock for an 11-year-old. Kabral Du Mathan and Ma Shantou are the young upstarts in this division and the latter was impressive when accounting for Impose Toi in the Cleeve. Honesty Policy is another new addition to this scene, although he has ground to make up on Impose Toi from their meeting in the Long Walk.
Prediction : 1st Bob Olinger 2nd Teahupoo 3rd Ma Shantou

Connections of Fact To File had plenty to think about after his scintillating display in the Irish Gold Cup and they have opted to try and win a second Ryanair. Willie Mullins' star produced an effort out of the top drawer when storming clear of Heart Wood here last season but he must now back up his Leopardstown success, with some of his below-par efforts in the last 12 months coming after a big performance. Banbridge didn't appear to stay in the Gold Cup last year but commands plenty of respect over this distance, although it is another previous Festival winner in IMPAIRE ET PASSE who appeals most. His only Cheltenham appearance saw him run away with the 2023 Ballymore and the eight-year-old displayed a sharp turn of foot on his comeback on heavy ground at Gowran. He arrives fresher than his main rivals and there is every chance he has more to offer over fences. The hugely admirable Jonbon toughed it out in both the Clarence House and the Ascot Chase and it will be interesting to see how he fares over a longer trip at a track where he hasn't produced his very best form.
Prediction : 1st Impaire Et Passe 2nd Banbridge 3rd Fact To File

The ante-post betting would suggest the home contingent are fancied to get one over on their Irish counterparts, not least because the highly-progessive C'est Different gets in under a handy weight. Absolutely Doyen is just as progressive, although Kikijo and Electric Mason have both been effective at this venue in the past and could offer the bigger threat. All that being said, the prize might head back across the Irish Sea courtesy of MINELLA EMPEROR. Kept to maiden/novice company for much of the season, Emmet Mullins' seven-year-old hit the woodwork on his handicap bow when qualifying for this race at Haydock last month. Just 1lb higher and with owner/regular rider Michael O'Neill back aboard, the British handicapper might have underestimated his ability. Stable companion Melbourne Shamrock is another to note, and top-weight Staffordshire Knot makes some appeal too on the back of his Boyne Hurdle triumph.
Prediction : 1st Minella Emperor 2nd Cest Different 3rd Kikijo

Derek O'Connor has worn the JP McManus colours to glory in this a couple of times, most recently on subsequent Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin in 2024, and he can do so again on JERIKO DU REPONET. The Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old hasn't exactly looked a natural chaser, but he has bags of quality and was runner-up in the Pertemps Final 12 months ago. He looks to have been perfectly campaigned because he sneaks in here just under the ceiling with his 145 rating - 4lb lower than his timber figure. McManus is also represented by Waterford Whispers, who caught the eye when making the frame over an extended 2m5f at the DRF. Kim Roque was back in fifth on that occasion, but should appreciate the extra yardage. Herakles Westwood and last year's winner Daily Present are just two more to consider.
Prediction : 1st Jeriko Du Reponet 2nd Waterford Whispers 3rd Herakles Westwood