Cheltenham Tips: Frank Hickey’s Handicap Fancies for the Festival

Frank the Tank has plenty of ammo as the festival weights are revealed.

By / Cheltenham Festival, Horse Racing Tips / 8 months ago

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Frank Hickey’s Festival Picks

Tuesday 12th March

14:50 The Ultima Handicap Chase – Giovinco
16:50 The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Milan Tino

Wednesday 13th March

14:50 The Coral Cup – First Street
16:50 The Grand Annual – Frere D’Armes

Thursday 14th March

14:10 The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle – Gabbys Cross
16:10 The Plate Handicap Chase – Lounge Lizard
17:30 The Kim Muir Challenge Cup – Firm Footings

Friday 15th March

14:10 The County Hurdle – L’Eau Du Sud
17:30 The Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – Lucky Place

Tuesday, March 12

Ultima Chase

If ever there was a horse that’s made for the Ultima, it’s Giovinco. I could see him coming to the last on the bridle! Lucinda Russell’s a master with these staying chasers. My only worry is they might take their chance in the Brown Advisory Chase.

Boodles Handicap

Nurburgring and Milan Tino, who’s got a mark of 126 and looks absolutely thrown in, stand out to me.

Wednesday, March 13

The Coral Cup

First Street: He was second to State Man a couple of years ago in the County Hurdle. He’s still only seven it’s not like he’s 10 or 11 , so he’s interesting. I wouldn’t let age put me off if I think a horse is well-handicapped and capable of winning.

Doddiethegreat. I would be worried about his mark at 132 for the Coral Cup and Martin Pipe. There can be an issue when some of these horses are so well-handicapped that they won’t get a run.

Ballyadam:. He needs to settle a bit but if you watched the County last year he tanked through it. Would he be a likely winner? Probably not but a chance at a decent price he’d hit the frame again.

Grand Annual Chase

There are a few interesting ones in the Grand Annual. Harper’s Brook, what you do is back him each-way and you lay off at 1.3 in the run for the win part. Libberty Hunter also has a really good record on bad ground, so if it came up heavy he would be top of my shortlist. The other one is Frere D’Armes, who could be a Dan Skelton special.

Thursday, March 14

Pertemps Final

I was very keen on Gabbys Cross and it looks like he got 6lbs extra off the English handicapper to a mark of 133. He’s very well handicapped but someone’s put him up and the fancy prices are gone. Lord Snootie will have a chance if he gets in. If he sneaks in at the bottom of the weights then he will be a definite player. When you look at his record there’s a big handicap in him. I’d like him.

Cheltenham Plate

Lounge Lizard if he managed to sneak in, he’s number 50 on the list. He caught my eye in the Becher Chase on heavy ground. He travelled really well but didn’t get home. If he got in he’d get in off a very low weight so would be interesting.

Kim Muir

I’ve mentioned Amirite already but Firm Footings is one that’s interesting. He’s run over two miles in three starts over fences against graded horses. He could improve hugely for stepping up in trip.

Friday, March 15

County Hurdle

A lot depends on what happens with Ballyburn. If he runs in the Baring Bingham then Gordon Elliott could run King of Kingsfield in the Supreme. I do think the make-up of the County should suit him but there are two I like better. Under Control, has only been given a 1lb rise to 138. Another one is Absurde, if the ground comes up decent, he’s off 138 as well. If it’s good to soft or soft in places he has a really good chance but Under Control is really well handicapped so I’d go with her.

The only thing I would say about last year’s winner Faivoir coming back to win the County Hurdle again, does lightning strike twice? Not for me. It was a good win last year but I prefer L’Eau Du Sud that Dan Skelton has. He will be the one I prefer of the Skeltons.

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

I have mentioned Making Headway but he’s probably not going to get into a handicap at Cheltenham. If he did manage to sneak into the Martin Pipe I’d be very interested.

Lucky Place is another one. He travels really well and the Coral Cup or Martin Pipe would suit him.

Frank Hickey’s Festival Picks

Tuesday 12th March

14:50 The Ultima Handicap Chase – Giovinco

Wednesday 13th March

14:50 The Coral Cup – First Street
16:50 The Grand Annual – Frere D’Armes

Thursday 14th March

14:10 The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle – Gabbys Cross
16:10 The Plate Handicap Chase – Lounge Lizard
16:50 The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Milan Tino
17:30 The Kim Muir Challenge Cup – Firm Footings

Friday 15th March

14:10 The County Hurdle – L’Eau Du Sud
17:30 The Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – Lucky Place

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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