PRESENT LOOKS A GIFT
Today's top telly tips at Cheltenham from Starform
1.30
RUBY WALSH and Willie Mullins have the best record in this race, the pair having won it five times each. They have every chance to make it six as they team up with GETABIRD. His fast and fluent jumping has been key for one with so little experience and he was very impressive in dispatching Mengli Khan by nine lengths at Punchestown. He will also handle today’s testing conditions. So will Kalashnikov, who brushed aside some more seasoned performers when scoring at Newbury. He was, however, put in his place by Summerville Boy in the Tolworth at Sandown. That pair should make their presence felt along with Paloma Blue, who finished third to the machine that is Samcro.
2.10
This could be another one for the Mullins/Walsh combination as FOOTPAD makes most appeal. He finished fourth in last year’s Champion Hurdle but has looked even better since switched to fences and is unbeaten in three starts. His jumping for a novice has been exciting and clean and he needed only hands-and-heels riding to beat Petit Mouchoir five lengths at Leopardstown last month. The main threat may come from French import Saint Calvados. He has won all his three chase outings since joining Harry Whittington and was particularly impressive at Warwick, where he jumped enthusiastically when making all for a very easy success.
2.50
David Pipe has won this race for the last two years with Un Temps Pour Tout; that horse is not back for another crack but the trainer has Ramses De Teillee and Eamon An Cnoic running for him. Jockey bookings suggest the former is the yard’s first string but the one that takes the eye is GOLD PRESENT. He faces a tough task off top weight and is 8lb higher after his three-length defeat of Frodon in a valuable Ascot handicap. However, the form was boosted when the runner-up bolted in at Cheltenham. His slick jumping has been his main weapon and that may see him home today. The progressive and unexposed Coo Star Sivola ran out an easy winner at Exeter and remains well treated judged on his hurdle rating. He is one for the short list along with Shantou Flyer, who has finished second on his last three starts – two of them at this track. He now has the services of the very capable James Bowen, who takes 3lb off.
3.30
It is quite possible that the brilliant 2015 winner Faugheen will return to his very best with cheekpieces applied for the first time, but recent evidence, including his defeat by Supasundae in the Irish Champion, suggests he has a lot to prove. It is difficult to look past last year’s impressive winner BUVEUR D’AIR. He has beaten little in winning his three outings this campaign but the manner of his victories has indicated that the Henderson runner retains the class he showed 12 months ago. His low, flat hurdling gains him lengths through a race and he can complete back-to-back wins – the first to do so since Hardy Eustace in 2005. Last year’s runner-up My Tent Or Yours, now 11 years old, may follow him home again despite advancing years. He has an excellent record at this track and has never finished out of the first two in six starts, which includes one success.
4.10
Gordon Elliott broke the stranglehold that Willie Mullins had on this race last year with APPLE’S JADE and she can complete the double. She showed plenty of guts to battle back 12 months ago and is unbeaten in three starts this season. Mullins has two with French import Benie Des Dieux the stable first string. She is unbeaten since joining her present yard though all three wins have come over fences. However, the keen-running La Bague Au Roi may pose more of a threat. She has won seven of her nine hurdle outings.
4.50
Gordon Elliott has won this race twice in the last three years and has a strong hand with both JURY DUTY and Mossback with the former getting the nod. He has been plying his trade in graded races on the last four occasions and this is a big drop in class. The other major plus is the man on top – Jamie Codd, who is a leading rider in this type of event and won this race in 2015. Lisa O’Neill on Mossback is no slouch and she was successful 12 months ago on Tiger Roll. Her mount was only narrowly denied in a Grade Two at Navan. Rathvinden has been a tad unlucky on his last two starts and is best judged on his second in the Grade One Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse. That level of form gives him every chance here and the progressive mare, Ms Parfois, has to be considered as she gets 7lb from her rivals and has the able assistance of Will Biddick.
5.30
It is quite possible that De Plotting Shed is well treated judged on his hurdle mark and Gordon Elliott has made no secret that he believes there is more to come, particularly over fences. He may pose the main danger to the progressive top weight TESTIFY from the Donald McCain stable. He had some decent form over hurdles but has been superb since switched to fences and is unbeaten in three starts, winning a Grade Two on his latest outing. A win for Footpad in the 2.10 would boost the claims of Any Second Now, who has finished behind that classy rival on his last two starts. He has yet to score over fences but this is a step down in class. Barney Dwan, second over hurdles here in last year’s Pertemps Final, races off the same mark today. He has won his last two chase outings convincingly. and is another to consider in an open contest.