Cheltenham Tips: Day 4 NAPS for Friday from Paddy Power’s traders

These lads know their ponies.

By / Cheltenham Festival, Horse Racing Tips / 3 years 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

13:30 Cheltenham – Vauban (Adam Killeen)

Vauban had the class to win a listed race on the flat & while he didn’t jump with much fluency on debut he looked to have improved plenty for the experience at Leopardstown when winning a Grade 1 on his latest start. That looks the strongest form on offer in the race & he could potentially be a champion hurdle horse in the future so it would be disappointing if he doesn’t go very close here.

13:30 Cheltenham – Pied Piper (Frank Hickey)

This looks a good renewal of the Triumph and the vibes for Vauban are very strong. That said, he was beaten by Pied Piper on hurdles debut at Punchestown, when Vauban looked unlucky but Pied Piper was not anywhere near fit. Both improved from that debut to win at Graded level next time but Pied Piper didn’t come off the bridle when winning at Cheltenham. We know he handles the track and he was rated 96 on the flat, so was classy enough. I’m hoping he can replicate that Cheltenham run from January and enhance Gordon Elliott’s Triumph Hurdle record.

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14:10 Cheltenham- State Man (Donal McKenna)

The whole word knew that State Man was considered a proper Supreme horse as he jumped off in a hot Christmas maiden hurdle at Leopardstown at 8/13 favourite and to the words of the commentator promising us something special, however he fell 2 out and picked up an injury that was assumed would rule him out for the season but the Mullins team persisted and we had to put him back into the very hot Supreme Novice market, that didn’t pan out but he has been checked into this handicap at a very kind weight and we are betting a graded animal in a handicap here, and il be betting him to win by 6 lengths or more for good measure.

14:50 Cheltenham – Hillcrest (Sam Kirwan)

Everything points to a big run form Hillcrest here. His course win on New Years day is the best performance by a long way based on times coming into this, he goes on an easy. He has been flawless in all completed hurdle starts, he looks a good bet here.

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15:30 Cheltenham – Galvin (Niall O’ Reilly)

Galvin is the improving horse in this field for me and fits the profile of a gold cup winner. He’s not slow for such a strong stayer, as he proved when winning a slowly run NH chase last season, and his win at Leopardstown last time, beating A Plus Tard, is among the strongest on offer. He’s a very good jumper, loves Cheltenham and with the ground coming in his favour, I think he looks set for a big run.

16:10 Cheltenham – Winged Leader (Sean O’ Sullivan)

Looks to be in the form of its life and gave Billaway a right stuffing in Thurles when they last met. Billaway should be a different proposition tomorrow but has an awful habit of throwing in a few bad jumps and has been a beaten fav in this race for the last two years. Winged Leader should make a bold bid with an aggressive ride from Barry O’Niell.

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16:50 Cheltenham – Mount Ida (Ryan McCue)

This race, for me, is all about Mount Ida trainer by Gordon Elliott. She won the Kim Muir at the Festival last season in remarkable fashion, coming from way back under Jack Kennedy to run out an impressive winner. This season she’s won her two starts very nicely and last time she gave Elimay 3lbs and a beating at Fairyhouse so I would expect her to uphold the form with her. Concertista is an interesting runner too but I feel her inexperience over fences may prove costly for her and so Mount Ida is a strong selection in the penultimate event of the Festival.

17:30 Cheltenham – Langer Dan (Conor Murphy)

His 2nd in this last year shows just how well handicapped he is. He’s only 2 pounds higher this year courtesy of some very generous handicapping, the drying ground will be to his liking and will take all the beating in what looks a lesser renewal than last year.

17:30 Cheltenham – Hollow Games (Daniel Collins)

As usual a fiercely competitive edition of the Martin Pipe but I fancy Hollow Games to come out on top for Gordon Elliott. He brings solid graded novice hurdle form and stays well which is a valuable asset in this race. A first time tongue tie could also lead to further improvement off a mark of 143.

Friday Cheltenham NAPS:

*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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