CHELTENHAM’S OVER – BUT WE’VE GOT PLENTY MORE TIPS AT PP NEWS!
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All good things must come to an end, and Cheltenham 2022 has been such a cracker we’re tearing up just at the thought of 5:30pm on Friday being the last race of the Festival. Boo!
But, by hook or by crook, we’re going to make the most of every second left of the greatest week of sport on the planet, and that includes all seven of Friday’s races.
Chief among the attractions is the Gold Cup at 3:30, with Galvin, A Plus Tard and Minella Indo heading the market, and the small matter of the Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase at 4:50 – if our name’s on it, you know it’s going to be good.
All of which might leave you scratching your head as to what’s worth a punt. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a guide to all seven races in our incredibly useful Cheat Sheet packed with the sharpest form-watchers in the game – Ruby Walsh, Mick Fitzgerald, Gina Bryce, Matt Chapman and Frank Hickey.
Beat that line-up Glasto!
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Scroll down for our handy interactive cheat sheet or tap here to download a hi-res copy for sharing… or you can even print it off if you’re still living in 2004.
They’ve all delivered a best bet for each and every race which you share, download or just plain claim for yourself. It’s fine, we won’t tell. Let the games begin for day four.
Mick Fitzgerald
Vauban should be unbeaten as he was knocked sideways by Pied Piper on debut at Punchestown but only lost narrowly. Davy Russell has switched to Fil Dor who looks a strong stayer. Vauban to win.
Ruby Walsh
Vauban is very good but I’m not sure if the soft ground is in his favour. The more it dries the better his chance. It’s going to be a real test of stamina on soft ground. That will suit Fil Dor better. If it’s dry, then Vauban or Pied Piper can use their speed.
Gina Bryce
Vauban won the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle last time out and can take another step forward again here.
Frank Hickey
Pied Piper won on heavy ground on the Flat and we know he handles the track. He could be the value now.
Matt Chapman
Vauban will be very hard to beat. However, I’m having a few quid each-way on FIL DOR as a strong gallop will suit this stayer get closer to the Mullins runner after his Leopardstown defeat.
Mick Fitzgerald
Colonel Mustard is a nicely-weighted novice and could be improving. First Street will appreciate any drying ground and could be an each-way selection.
Ruby Walsh
State Man is well handicapped and looks a graded horse in the making. I just hope inexperience doesn’t cost him like it did his stablemate Gaelic Warrior on Tuesday. A better jump at the last would have seen him win then. Hopefully, State Man puts that right now.
Gina Bryce
Trainer Dan Skelton has won this race three times in the past six years and looks to have laid one out for the race in second-season hurdler West Cork.
Frank Hickey
State Man could be thrown in at the weights but Colonel Mustard looks very well handicapped considering his form has been strongly franked this week.
Matt Chapman
State Man is the talking horse, but I’ll be going each-way on the more exposed WEST CORK for the Skelton team. He was a terrific winner of the Greatwood Hurdle here in November and was a fair fifth at Ascot afterwards.
Mick Fitzgerald
The unbeaten Ginto looks the real deal and looked one to follow when winning a Grade 1 contest at Naas in January.
Ruby Walsh
I was taken by Hillcrest’s win at Haydock last month on heavy ground. We know he’ll handle conditions. It’ll suit Ginto too. I just marginally prefer Hillcrest.
Gina Bryce
Ginto has been crying out for this trip. He’s tactically versatile and this big long-striding horse can gallop his rivals into submission.
Frank Hickey
Hillcrest is a really good horse, who has course form, will handle testing ground and has been good on the clock.
Matt Chapman
The giant HILLCREST just looks full of stamina and in a renewal that might not be the strongest that could be enough. I was really impressed with his win at Haydock last time.
Mick Fitzgerald
I’m hoping the ground continues to dry out as Galvin is a better horse on better ground. King George winner Tornado Flyer is the each-way play. Both have proven course form.
Ruby Walsh
It should be relatively easy for A Plus Tard to turn the Leopardstown form around with Galvin. A Plus Tard has more speed and will do me to go one better in the Gold Cup this year.
Gina Bryce
The lack of an obvious pace-setter throws a spanner in the works for the strong, staying types like Galvin and former winner Minella Indo. That could play into the hands of Rachael Blackmore and last year’s runner up A Plus Tard.
Frank Hickey
Tornado Flyer is unexposed at the 3m 2f trip and I don’t think his King George VI Chase at Kempton over Christmas win was a fluke.
Matt Chapman
I’m siding with GALVIN for the win and AL BOUM PHOTO each-way. Galvin has improved with every race and did well to deny A Plus Tard last time. Al Boum Photo is a dual winner and was placed last year and can be involved at the business end again.
Mick Fitzgerald
Surely Billaway will get his head in front having finished runner-up twice. The alternative to the favourite is Winged Leader who likes soft ground.
Ruby Walsh
The headgear will help Billaway but he’s been runner-up twice in this contest which doesn’t bode well. Frank Hickey has backed Premier Magic so I’ll copy his homework and do the same!
Gina Bryce
Bob and Co can make amends this year for his popular owner jockey David Maxwell after tipping up three fences out last year when travelling well.
Frank Hickey
Premier Magic recently beat last year’s Hunter Chase winner, Porlock Bay, in a point-to-point. He has a nice profile for this and is a fair price.
Matt Chapman
BILLAWAY was desperately unlucky to get picked up last year and surely has strong claims to make up for that under Patrick Mullins. Got a confidence boosting win last time at Naas.
Mick Fitzgerald
There’s little between Elimay and Mount Ida so it could come down to one good jump. I’ll take last year’s runner-up Elimay to shade it.
Ruby Walsh
Elimay was unlucky last year and the cheekpieces will suit her. I’m hoping she can bounce back. Zambella is a big danger as the trip will suit her.
Gina Bryce
Elimay and stablemate Colreevy provided one of the finishes of the week in this race last year when she was narrowly beaten. She can make amends now.
Frank Hickey
Mount Ida stays further than this 2m 4f trip which could be important at the business end considering the ground has softened up considerably from earlier in the week.
Matt Chapman
A strong fancy here is last year’s runner up ELIMAY. The mare was back in winning form at Naas last time and connections will be very disappointed if she doesn’t go one place better.
Mick Fitzgerald
Langer Dan can get revenge for last year’s defeat by the Galopin Des Champs. We’ve seen what he’s done since! Freedom to Dream merits a saver each-way on his back form.
Ruby Walsh
Adamantly Chosen has had three runs over hurdles and is going the right way but I don’t know how good he is. Hollow Games and Grand Jury look a bit more value at the prices and I’ll side with the latter.
Gina Bryce
Hollow Games’ form ties in strongly with Ginto (who runs in the 2.50pm) and on his handicap debut can sign the day off in style for the Gordon Elliott yard.
Frank Hickey
Decimation would look extremely well handicapped on his form last year and is an appealing each-way prices on that form.
Matt Chapman
The reappearing FIVE O’CLOCK was desperately unlucky when seventh in this in 2020 after nearly being brought down in the middle of the race. He’s been off since then, but we know Mullins can get one ready and he’s primed for the big day.
* CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A SHAREABLE PDF VERSION OF THE CHEAT SHEET
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