I’m the UK’s finest tipster – these are the Cheltenham horses to again on Gold Cup day

Your prime ideas for Friday on the Cheltenham Pageant, together with the Gold Cup.

The Scout's top tips graphic.

The Scout is available with their prime ideas for Friday at Cheltenham and the Gold Cup. (Picture: Day by day Categorical)

Earlier than the setback, he had completed third within the Irish Gold Cup on the Dublin Racing Pageant, with Gaelic Warrior a spot in entrance of him. My choice travelled with loads of zest all through for his handler’s son Patrick, solely discovering an in-form Reality To File too robust by 5 lengths on the line.

Early positioning is more likely to affect how this race pans out for Gaelic Warrior, who might do with some cowl to assist him keep the complete three miles, two-and-a-half furlongs.

However Townend has been tactically glorious this week and he received the most effective out of the secure’s championship heroes Lossiemouth and Il Etait Temps with two totally different rides.

Gaelic Warrior’s proprietor Wealthy Ricci kicks off the cardboard with SELMA DE VARY (1.20) within the 20-runner JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Forward of the characteristic, his recruit can proceed the wonderful report of horses that launched their careers in France, with seven of the final ten from the continent.

The newest 4 editions, through Vauban, Lossiemouth, Majborough and Poniros, have gone to coach Willie Mullins, who despatched well bred Selma De Fluctuate to the Dublin Racing Pageant for her secure debut.

Reportedly in want of the outing, she made good headway for second behind Narciso Has, the ante-post favorite who was subsequently dominated out – and that’s stable type in a race through which there are many unknowns.

Mullins and jockey Paul Townend proceed their relentless pursuit of winners with KARBAU (2.00, nb) within the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old confirmed his class by twice making the primary three in Grade Ones as a novice – and his likelihood is boosted by Townend opting to take his solely experience in a handicap this week.

The Grade Two Mrs Paddy Energy Mares’ Chase seems deeper than scores counsel, with Panic Assault, the primary horse to finish the Paddy Energy and Coral Gold Cup double since 2004, within the type of her life.

RACING-ENG-CHELTENHAM

Gaelic Warrior is fancied for the Gold Cup. (Picture: Getty)

Dinoblue dominated the roost final 12 months and is ultra-consistent, however Henry de Bromhead’s challenger JULY FLOWER (2.40) makes each-way attraction.

She omitted her fences when profitable in an excellent time on the Outdated Course on the November Assembly, in a trial for the Grade One Arkle.

Third towards the geldings on the highest degree subsequently, that is extra her degree and 2m 4f is not any downside judged on a Leopardstown Grade Three strike on yard debut in December 2024.

The stamina-favouring New Course ought to deliver out the most effective in DOCTOR STEINBERG (3.20), the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle market chief.

Masking 2m 6f on heavy terrain on the Dublin Racing Pageant, the chestnut had eight lengths in hand after going keenly, which confirmed simply how a lot he had left within the tank.

One other in want of a looking take a look at is CON’S ROC (4.40, trb) – and that appears a formality within the highly-competitive Princess Royal Problem Cup Open Hunters’ Chase for beginner riders.

A length-and-a-quarter in need of catching the idling It is On The Line at Down Royal on Boxing Day, a thoroughbred narrowly defeated within the final three runnings, my choice was staying on strongly up the run-in.

Forecast rain for Gloucestershire and first-time cheekpieces are two different positives, as is jockey Darragh Allen getting a ton up in point-to-points earlier this 12 months.

Sixth within the 2025 Fred Winter, WENDROCK (5.20, Nap) went within the pocket book on his first stab at 2m 4½f in December and he’s on a workable mark in an occasion Gordon Elliott targets.