Cheltenham Horse Racing Tips

There wasn't much between Ballyfad and KING RASKO GREY at the DRF and the pair could have this between them. The former narrowly finished ahead that day but it was the latter who travelled best before just flattening out late. Connections were quick to stress that he wasn't at peak fitness at Leopardstown and he is expected to reverse that form here with the step up in trip a positive for both. The British standard is set by the unbeaten No Drama This End who backed up his impressive Grade 2 win with victory in the Challow next time. The winner of that race last year finally put an end to the trend of its victors failing here and so the Paul Nicholls gelding has to be respected. The form of his victories have been boosted and he's been kept fresh for this. I'll Sort That and Skylight Hustle were fortunate to win their Grade 1s in Ireland and will need to progress again over this longer trip to get involved. Of those at bigger prices Fortune Timmy makes some minor appeal having caught the eye here last time. He shaped like a stayer but wasn't made enough use of before running green under pressure up the hill. He ought to have learnt plenty from that and can reverse form with Taurus Bay to challenge for a place at a big price.

KAID D'AUTHIE readily dispatched Final Demand at the DRF putting a dent in his stablemate's reputation who now has plenty to prove at the top level including his battling qualities. That effort sets the standard on ratings and though he may ideally want some easier ground the greater stamina test can help see him home in front. He was defeated by Kitzbuhel on his chase debut but the pair were coming off long breaks that day and the market suggested his stablemate was better prepared. The Kauto Star winner has boosted that form since beating Wendigo and Salver over the festive period with the better ground a big positive here. However his stamina did just hold out at that sharp track so this extra distance and stiff finish have to be concerns. Gary Moore enjoyed a productive weekend and his gelding has impressed since going up to staying trips. This even greater test of stamina will suit and if the ground isn't too quick he could figure at a big price. Arguably the classiest horse in the race heads the betting in Romeo Coolio. He has won 3 times at the top level since being switched to fences generally finishing his races off well over just further than 2m. He might want longer trips than that in time but this significant step up in distance has to be of great concern given he was being lined up for the Arkle until recently. If it does hold up he should have every chance on form but it is another worry that he had a seriously hard race just last month. Koktail Divin was spectacular when winning last time and his yard have opted for this ahead of a handicap he was well fancied for so he can't be dismissed. Neither can Western Fold who had a busy summer last year landing the Galway Plate and shaped with promise on his reappearance on unsuitably soft ground at the DRF.

Nicky Henderson and Brian Hughes teamed up for success in this last year and they have solid claims once again with Lucky Place who failed to replicate his Relkeel Hurdle success here last time but still ran with credit in defeat. He looks on a fair mark returned to handicaps and did run well in this race a couple of years ago. Kopeck De Mee came to this meeting with a lofty reputation last year but was far too free and stopped quickly. He did prove that confidence was justified though when runner up at Aintree next time where he was given a poor ride. He's been kept fresh for this after failing to take to chasing earlier in the year so is strongly respected. It is his stablemate CHART TOPPER who is preferred though despite a fall last time. He was going best in front that day and is likely to have won so looks generously treated up just 2lb. He may ideally want further but he could make it a decent test if ridden positively in first time cheekpieces. Kateira has been the one who has attracted support recently and it's not hard to see why after some considerate rides this term. She defeated the Champion Hurdle winner earlier in the season and is a dual Listed winner so her mark looks reasonable. Of those at bigger prices former Martin Pipe runner up third Buddy One makes some minor appeal. He ran well at the top level here last spring and though he has struggled since he's raced on unsuitable testing ground over fences. He's much better in thid discipline and could place at huge odds.

Last year's winner Stumptown is a worthy favourite despite a 5lb higher mark than last year. He has been kept fresh for this since winning in the Czech Republic in the autumn and he has a good record following a break. However it was hard not to be impressed with the way FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU took to these fences last time and he is fancied to gain another victory in this race for his stable. Prior to that run he bounced back to form to land the ultra competitive Paddy Power which was boosted in the Thyestes and a hot handicap at the DRF. He's proven versatile ground wise and he could have too much class for this field despite an 8lb rise. Former Kerry National winner Desertmore House took well to the banks course at Punchestown and is unexposed in these type of races. He is respected with the drying ground in his favour as it will be for former Grade 1 winner Fakir D'Oudairies. He was beaten by a couple of these last time but that was on heavy ground and if his stamina holds up he could reverse the placings on this quicker surface.

MAJBOROUGH's jumping cost him the Arkle last year but he finally got it together in first time cheekpieces with a spectacular performance under an aggressive ride at the DRF. Though the race did fall apart behind he posted a good time and it sets the standard on ratings so if getting close to that he will be tough to beat. Il Etait Temps hasn't been seen since a tired fall after a laboured performance in the Clarence House but his penultimate performance in the Tingle Creek is amongst the best form on offer. He holds the consistent L'Eau Du Sud on that meeting and that rival is likely to come up short at the top level again. The 5 time Grade 1 winner over fences looks the biggest danger to his stablemate despite his poor Cheltenham record. Quilixios boasts an excellent record at this venue and was running a huge race when coming down in this last year. He was booked for no worse than second that day so if fit after a long lay off he could be a threat. Of those at bigger prices Libberty Hunter could run into a place. He was travelling well when coming down in this last year and will be ridden to pick up the pieces.

An open race but novice BE AWARE leaps off the page as being ahead of his mark judged on his Grade 1 run behind the Arkle favourite. He impressed with his jumping when coming clear with a useful mare at this venue earlier in the season and if settling better than he did last time he can provide his yard with another success in this race. Relieved Of Duties is another who was tried here earlier this term and ran with credit. His last run is worth forgiving as he found the ground far too testing but his debut win has been franked in a Grade 3 so he could be well handicapped here. Rubaud can also be judged well handicapped on his hurdle form and he arrives on the back of a terrific effort on testing ground in the Kingwell last time. Back on his desired sound surface he will be a threat if his jumping holds up but that is a concern. Summer Plate winner Ballysax Hank will need a stiff test to figure at this trip but he should be staying up the hill on his first try on a sound surface since. He can fight for a place with Break My Soul who has been out of her depth since her chase debut win but is another who looks fairly treated on her hurdles form.

Love Sign D'Aunou was an impressive winner on debut in bottomless conditions and shot straight to the top of the market afterwards. He beat some well touted rivals with plenty in hand and just about sets the standard on ratings. However the conditions that day at a stiff track may have accentuated the distance and he could be vulnerable to a speedier rival down in trip on a quicker surface. The market suggested it was a shock when BROADWAY TED beat stablemates With Nolimit and Charismatic Kid last time at the DRF but he did well to get up and he could progress again for this stiffer test. It is a slight concern that all of his form has come on testing ground but his debut form has been franked emphatically and he resumes the partnership with Sean Bowen who went close in this last year. Willie Mullins has plenty of chances away from the favourite with Paul Townend opting for Quiryn who showed a good turn of foot first time out at a similar track. He is also given a chance along with the 4yo filly Mets Ta Ceinture who starts out for the Skelton yard after a Grade 2 victory in France. She's proven versatile ground wise and her form has been boosted so she looks very well treated getting weight from all of her rivals. She can make the frame if fit and ready to fire after a break.