Mick Fitzgerald’s Cheltenham Tips
13:30 – Firefox
14:10 – Hunters Yarn
14:50 – The Goffer
15:30 – State Man
16:10 – Lossiemouth
16:50 – Liari (each-way)
17:30 – Apple Away
*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.
13:30 – Firefox
The waiting is over… it is finally here! The best four days racing of the whole year. People say there is too much emphasis on Cheltenham and, yes, that is true, but trust me when you win there you see what all the hype is about. Firefox is the only horse to have beaten Ballyburn. That was on soft ground and we’re starting on slow ground. He is definitely a player in this contest in Ballyburn’s absence. On the preview circuit, lots of people were getting excited about Tullyhill, but his jumping needs to be better than we saw at Punchestown. Jeriko do Reponet is a lovely horse who will run well here and Nicky Henderson would love to start the meeting off with one of his horses running well to prove the stable’s well being.
14:10 – Hunters Yarn
Hunters Yarn has only run twice over fences and both of those should have ended in wins. The first time he fell at Fairyhouse with the race at his mercy, then made no mistake to score at the same track on soft ground. If he can avoid mistakes, he looks a real value bet in here. Avoiding the runners that jump to their right at fences will be the plan.
14:50 – The Goffer
Gordon Elliott’s runner gets in on a mark of 144 after finishing a close-up fourth last year in this contest behind last season’s Grand National winner Corach Rambler, this year’s fancy Monbeg Genius and leading Gold Cup contender Fastorslow. It looks like connections have protected The Goffer‘s mark all season as we didn’t see him until a 2m stable yard ‘challenge’ race last month, where he ran out a convincing winner. He’s primed to go close.
15:30 – State Man
Champion Hurdle
It is very hard to get away from State Man as the most likely winner, especially with Lossiemouth going to the Mares’ Hurdle. He was runner-up to the absent Constitution Hill last year, but his jockey Paul Townend never felt he was at his best in that contest. He has beaten the best of the Irish challengers all season and is unbeaten coming into this year’s day one feature. Nicky Henderson’s Iberico Lord was supplemented for the race when Constitution Hill was ruled out and he’s won two big handicaps this year in the Greatwood Hurdle at this track and The Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. He might run into the places but State Man can be rewarded for his consistency, though.
16:10 – Lossiemouth
It’s hard to get away from Lossiemouth after that performance at Cheltenham when winning the International Hurdle. She is the highest rated runner in the field and unless she gets very keen and runs herself into the ground she should be winning. Marie‘s Rock is definitely a contender at a price to be placed.
16:50 – Liari (each-way)
Connections must’ve been happy enough with the handicap mark as Liari handles soft ground fine and is a strong traveller in his races. He is definitely a player in as he bolted up at Musselburgh. Milan Tino is interesting as the handicapper dropped him for his last run and his form is tied in with Triumph favourite, Sir Gino. I am happy to play Liari each way.
17:30 – Apple Away
Apple Away is taking up the option of the 3m6f National Hunt Chase over the Ultima earlier on the card and isn’t without a chance as she has good chase form with leading Turners Chase fancy Grey Dawning. She’s a good jumper and a strong stayer and won a graded race over 3m at Aintree last season over hurdles with the likes of Iroko, Stay Away Fay and behind. With only seven set to line up there’s just two each-way places but a look at the betting without the favourite market could help us get a result also.
Mick Fitzgerald’s Cheltenham Tips
13:30 – Firefox
14:10 – Hunters Yarn
14:50 – The Goffer
15:30 – State Man
16:10 – Lossiemouth
16:50 – Liari (each-way)
17:30 – Apple Away
*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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