Cheltenham Tips: 8 on a plate for Friday’s action from Timeform

*All odds in copy correct at time of publication and they’re always bang on with our clever betting widgets.

11:30 Make Me A Believer

Not the highest quality novice hurdle for the track, but it is competitive, and preference is for MAKE ME A BELIEVER. He fell on his sole start in points, but made a winning debut under Rules in a bumper at Chepstow last season, and split a couple of next-time-out winners on his hurdling debut at Lingfield in October. Make Me A Believer has since undergone a wind operation, and receives 6 lb from his main rivals, so he looks the value despite slight concerns over the drop in trip.

12:05 Happygolucky

A very interesting novice chase where the tentative vote goes to HAPPYGOLUCKY, who made an impressive start over fences at Stratford in October. Admittedly, he failed to land the odds in a three-runner race at Fakenham last month, but he only lost out to a quicker and smart rival who was more suited to the sharp track. The significant step up in trip, plus the switch to this more demanding track, are a couple of factors that should bring about further improvement. Recent winner L’Air du Vent isn’t passed over easily, though.

12:40 Crooks Peak

Lots with chances but at the likely odds it could be worth siding with the handily-weighted CROOKS PEAK, who is having his first run for the in-form Dan Skelton yard back over hurdles after undergoing a wind operation. He ran a solid race on his final start for Philip Hobbs when second over fences at Kempton in October, and has joined a yard who are adept at improving new recruits, and he is 3 lb lower than his last win over hurdles which came at Newbury in March 2019.

13:15 Arian

ARIAN lost her way for John Flint, but has taken advantage of a reduced mark to win both of her starts for Philip Hobbs this season. She proved better than ever when winning at Newton Abbot in October and progressed again to follow up at Warwick last month, scoring with more in hand than the two-length margin suggests. The manner in which Arian travelled and jumped on that occasion suggests she has even more to offer and she should be very competitive from a 7 lb higher mark.

13:50 Fanion D’Estruval

This is a competitive renewal of the Peterborough Chase, which has been rerouted from Huntingdon, and it could be worth taking a chance on the Venetia Williams-trained FANION D’ESTRUVAL. He made a mockery of his opening mark when making a winning start for the yard in a handicap chase at Newbury last season, and started the 6/4 favourite when disappointing in the Wayward Lad at Kempton on his final start in 2019/20. The five-year-old shaped most encouragingly on his return in a handicap on the Old Course at the November meeting, beaten only by a well-handicapped, race-fit rival. He looks very interesting stepped back up in grade and this longer trip should be within range.

DON’T MISS

• CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY SINGLE RACE TODAY
• … THEN GET ALL THE WINNERS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE WITH OUR FAST RESULTS PAGES

14:25 Court Maid

COURT MAID is a likeable mare who made it three wins from four starts over fences with a most convincing win in a long-distance handicap chase at Punchestown 12 days ago. She showed much-improved form, revelling the marathon test and having plenty in hand at the line after powering away from her rivals after the second-last. Court Maid carries a 5 lb penalty here over a three-furlong shorter trip, but Cheltenham presents a good stamina test and she is clearly thriving at present, so is worth backing again to follow up.

15:00 Neverushacon

NEVERUSHACON was a consistent performer in these events last season – finished fifth in this race before winning at Punchestown – but he was much improved when winning at the latter track on his return to action last month. He jumped on at three out and forged clear after the second-last, winning by 11 lengths and having plenty in hand. Neverushacon is only 2 lb higher in the weights than last year, and has his usual cheekpieces and tongue tie refitted, so there is plenty to like about his chances.

15:35 Come On Teddy

COME ON TEDDY won a handicap at Market Rasen from a 5 lb lower mark on his final start last season, and moved through the race at Uttoxeter on his reappearance last month as though ahead of his mark. That was just his third start in a handicap, and he has more potential than most of his rivals, so is worth chancing in a competitive, open event.

Timeform’s tips at Cheltenham on Friday

11:30 Make Me A Believer
12:05 Happygolucky
12:40 Crooks Peak
13:15 Arian
13:50 Fanion D’Estruval
14:25 Court Maid
15:00 Neverushacon
15:35 Come On Teddy

*All odds in copy correct at time of publication and they’re always bang on with our clever betting widgets.

More tips for Friday

• Matt Chapman’s super 6 picks for ITV Racing on Friday
  
• Mick Fitzgerald’s Friday fancies at Cheltenham & Bangor
  
• Jason Weaver’s 6 slick Friday picks at Southwell & Dundalk

Read More

• Paddy Power’s Millionaire Chase: Politologue backers enter Monday’s Live draw at 6pm for week 4 winner
• Paddy Power’s Millionaire Chase: I’ve £1m more reasons to watch on New Year’s Day now says week 4 winner
• Paddy Power’s Millionaire Chase: This must be karma after the break-in says week 3 winner
• Paddy Power’s Millionaire Chase: I hadn’t a clue I’d won says week 2 winner
• Paddy Power’s Millionaire Chase: Birthday Girl Lands €10k Booty As First Qualifier For New Year’s Day Giveaway

THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW