UK Horse Racing Tips: Cheltenham

The Fairyhouse form in January could be the key to this year's renewal of the Triumph and PROACTIF (winner) can confirm his superiority over stable companion Macho Man (second). Willie Mullins' French recruit stayed on stylishly for success that day and the third performed well for fifth in the Fred Winter on Tuesday. Selma De Vary finished second to the absent Narciso Has at the Dublin Racing Festival on her Irish debut, but she was fairly keen on that occasion and may well be more suited to a speed test. The UK-based runners are strong contenders too, with Maestro Conti boasting an unbeaten record for Dan Skelton and a C&D success to boot. Minella Study is another to consider closely having beat Tuesday's Fred Winter runner-up Winston Junior easily here before Christmas.
Prediction : 1st Proactif 2nd Maestro Conti 3rd Macho Man

Having dominated this contest with nine victories in the past 10 seasons between them, this could be fought out between Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton once more. Sinnatra has proved consistent in five outings over hurdles and an official rating of 133 on his handicap debut looks workable. However, the six-year-old does lack the experience of a big field at this higher level and preference is for Grade 1 winner MURCIA. The Wille Mullins-trained mare arrives on the back of a solid fourth at Leopardstown and she appears to be the most solid proposition. Stablemate Karbau was far from disgraced on his reappearance when second in a Grade 3 at Naas 47 days ago and is a feasible alternative, while the progressive Bowensonfire is at top of his game and merits respect in his hat-trick bid.
Prediction : 1st Murcia 2nd Sinnatra 3rd Karbau

Narrowly beaten in this contest in 2024, DINOBLUE produced a dominant display to land this prize last year. Tough and consistent, Willie Mullins' talented nine-year-old will take all the beating once again, having warmed up nicely for this with a Listed success at Naas last month. She's preferred to stable companion Spindleberry, who faced a tough assignment in the Irish Gold Cup last time, having shown excellent progress over fences in 2025. Panic Attack is on the upgrade and could give selection plenty to think about. Dan Skelton's charge landed the Paddy Power here prior to winning the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, while the dual Listed winner Diva Luna also arrives in fine form, although she faces a much tougher assignment on this occasion.
Prediction : 1st Dinoblue 2nd Spindleberry 3rd Panic Attack

The Irish have dominated this event over the last decade, winning seven times, and are likely to improve on that record based on the ante-post market. The leading English hope would have to be Kripticjim, who just prevailed in Grade 2 company at this course in January and this longer trip could bring out improvement. Out of the four Willie Mullins sends to post, Doctor Steinberg is the clear choice after beating Thedeviluno at Navan prior to bolting up at the top level at Leopardstown last month. The six-year-old should mount a bold bid in protecting his unbeaten record over timber, but the value may lie with SPINNINGAYARN. Gordon Elliott's gelding has shaped as if crying out for this step up in distance when winning comfortably at Fairyhouse and Punchestown the last twice, so with the potential for bundles of improvement, he looks the one to side with.
Prediction : 1st Spinningayarn 2nd Doctor Steinberg 3rd Kripticjim

Native River's 2018 triumph has been an anomaly for the home side in the face of Irish dominance over the last 10 years, but JANGO BAIE could set the record straight this time around. Fourth in the King George, behind The Jukebox Man (winner) and Gaelic Warrior (third), in a pulsating finish on Boxing Day. However, Nicky Henderson's charge was probably found wanting for a bit of tactical speed that day, but he looks tailor-made for this sort of trip and while last year's Arkle triumph still lives fresh in the memory, he can make his bid for glory where others may falter. The aforementioned pair are unlikely to go down without a fight and last year's winner Inothewayurthinkin shouldn't be underestimated despite a few below-par efforts this term. Haiti Couleurs continues to go from strength to strength. He would be an extremely popular winner but so would any of the home contingent and spare a thought for Spillane's Tower, who showed he was up for a scrap when defeating L'Homme Presse in the Costwold Chase in January.
Prediction : 1st Jango Baie 2nd The Jukebox Man 3rd Gaelic Warrior

Wonderwall is likely to be popular after winning this last year, and it does look as if this has been his target since, with one winning run in a Dromahane point-to-point in November the only time he has been seen since. The 10-year-old will arrive here fresher than most and has to be noted, along with Its On The Line, who was second for Emmet Mullins. Both can go well, but Paul Nicholls has won this twice with Pacha Du Polder in the last 10 years and has a lively contender here with GOLDEN SON. A winner at Warwick and Taunton this year from two starts, he could find further improvement at the age of eight.
Prediction : 1st Golden Son 2nd Wonderwall 3rd Its On The Line

Deemed good enough for the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Hurdle here last year, KEL HISTOIRE could have enough in hand off 137 to win this on his handicap debut. Runner-up in the Moscow Flyer last season, a race in which Willie Mullins has historically run his better novice hurdlers, the six-year-old is of real interest and this has probably been the plan all season. Another unexposed hurdler from the same yard is Roc Dino and he's a handicap debutant to note having finished behind Mighty Park at Fairyhouse and El Cairos at Thurles, both of whom ran in the Supreme on Tuesday. Of the others, keep a close eye on Air Of Entitlement, Jump Allen and East India Express.
Prediction : 1st Kel Histoire 2nd Roc Dino 3rd East India Express