*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
CHELTENHAM’S OVER – BUT WE’VE GOT PLENTY MORE TIPS AT PP NEWS!
- Jason Weaver is back with his Friday night fancies on the all-weather tracks
- Click here for Matt Chapman’s Saturday picks for the ITV Racing
- Paul Jacobs has made his big-value selections for Saturday
WE’VE FOOTBALL TIPS TOO!
- Here’s out 50/1 acca for tonight’s footy across Europe
- And we’ve a 40/1 Bet Builder for Villa v Arsenal tomorrow too
Triumph Hurdle (13:30) – Pied Piper
Davy Russell has picked Fil Dor probably due to the ground but it’s likely to have dried out a bit come Friday. Ground is no issue for Pied Piper though. He won a Leicester handicap on the flat off 89 on heavy ground in October and his hurdles debut win at Punchestown was on heavy ground. He’s rated 96 on the flat. It was good ground when he hacked up at Chelteham on trials day. He’s a very fair price.
County Hurdle (14:10) – Jesse Evans & Colonel Mustard
Jesse Evans was fourth in a Galway Hurdle off 139 beaten less than 3l by Saldier running on strongly. He went off 11/2 favourite for the Greatwood but was disappointing. That race has worked out so well and they have kept him fresh for this.
Colonel Mustard was behind Jonbon at Ascot and Sir Gerhard and Three Stripe Life at Leopardstown. The track, trip and big field should suit him. A mark of 140 probably underestimates him and Conor Orr takes off 3lbs.
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Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (14:50) – Hillcrest
It’s no secret that I am a massive fan of Hillcrest. He’s really impressive visually and on the clock at Cheltenham and Haydock. The easy ground is no issue and if Haydock hasn’t taken the edge off him, he is the one to beat. I’m afraid of Ginto and Ramillies at a price.
Cheltenham Gold Cup (15:30) – Tornado Flyer
Tornado Flyer is still a big price. He seems to be priced on the basis that his King George win was a fluke but I don’t think it was. He had decent Grade 1 form in bumpers before that. Even last year in the Ryanair, he looked like he wanted the trip. I liked the way he jumped and travelled in the King George. If he does that again he’s got a great chance. He’s a big price and worth risking if you do think his King George win was a fluke. The ground won’t be too testing either which is a boost.
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St James’ Place Festival Hunter Chase (16:10) – Premier Magic
Premier Magic easily beat Wishing And Hoping in a Chaddesley Corbett Point-to-Point. Wishing And Hoping is running off 145 in the Plate. Since that win, he has won a hunter chase at Leicester and three more points, while he was beaten at Stratford on good ground by Vaucelet. He beat Porlock Bay at Christmas at Chaddesley Corbett on soft ground and he is a relatively unexposed nine year old.
Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase (16:50) – Mount Ida
I’m in the Mount Ida camp. I know people think she jumps too far to her right but she had a back issue that has since been resolved. Her jumping looked fine in her last two races. If she was running in the Gold Cup I’d take a chance on her so I’ll back her in this too. She’s good enough to beat Elimay.
Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (17:30) – I A Connect & Decimation
I A Connect is interesting for Gordon Elliott and Fergus Gregory. He hasn’t ran since November and he’s beaten Chicago Time in the last year. He was second behind Ciel De Neige at Sligo in October and beat Suprise Package at Punchestown in November. He did that form no harm last week. It could have been the plan to put him away and bring him out here. He’s well handicapped too.
Decimation is also interesting for Henry de Bromhead. He had a spin three weeks ago at Fairyhouse to prepare for this. He was beaten in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last year by Ashdale Bob, who ran a screamer in the Coral Cup. His form has held up. He’s off a mark of 140 and he could be very well handicapped.
Frank Hickey’s Cheltenham Friday Tips:
- Triumph Hurdle (13:30) – Pied Piper
- County Hurdle (14:10) – Jesse Evans & Colonel Mustard
- Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (14:50) – Hillcrest
- Cheltenham Gold Cup (15:30) – Tornado Flyer
- St James’ Place Festival Hunter Chase (16:10) – Premier Magic
- Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase (16:50) – Mount Ida
- Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (17:30) – I A Connect & Decimation
*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
MORE TIPS
- Our trader’s pick their NAPS of the day at Cheltenham
- These 4 picks make our Friday Lucky 15 for Cheltenham
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- WATCH: Conor Moore’s impressions Cheltenham special
- Check out today’s 26/1 Gold Cup & Premier League double
- GOLD CUP TIPS: Who our pundits fancy for Friday’s feature
- How’s the track? Here’s the latest going and weather forecast
- What is the Prestbury Cup? And how does it work?
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