4.20pm Cheltenham Tips & Betting Preview 27/10/2017

4.20pm Cheltenham tips for Friday’s Class 3 race. A staying chase for amateur riders, this open handicap has seen some improving winners over the years, including The Young Master in 2014. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: PETITE POWER has been crying out for a proper test at this trip and is one of the least exposed over fences. He has a smart record when fresh, so looks well overpriced in this line-up. Capard King is nine pounds below a smart run in a similar contest last season and is another who runs well when he is fresh. Presenting Julio needs respecting for Gordon Elliott for all that he is plenty short enough in a much deeper race than he has been running in of late, while Bugsie Malone is another to consider.

1 SPORTING BOY – Absolutely dotted up at Market Rasen last weekend, full value for his thirteen pound rise. He only gets a seven pound penalty here so if in the same frame of mind once more, he looks a major player with conditions to suit, despite the big weight.

2 INDIAN CASTLE – Very well treated on his best form, including a win at this track. Tends to perform well at this venue, fourth, sixth and seventh at three Festivals. Returns from over five hundred days off so entitled to need the run, but still requires consideration.

3 BERTIE BORU – Strong stayer but inconsistent, he had to slip down to 117 to win a weak race last season. Ten pounds higher here looks tough enough despite form from this range before. Softer ground would suit ideally as well.

4 CAPARD KING – Nine pounds lower than when fourth in a similar contest here to kick off his campaign last time around. Acts on most ground and has won when fresh so needs respect.

5 REGAL FLOW – Six pounds higher than when winning this race in 2015, he ended last season in good heart. No great record fresh however (had a prep run prior to this race win) so is passed over on this occasion.

6 AZURE FLY – Dropped more than a stone in the handicap before finally getting his head back in front last month. That race fell apart in front of him so arguably he’s flattered by the form. This is deeper, so happy enough to take him on.

7 WHAT HAPPENS NOW – Enjoyed a successful summer, his most recent starts from this same mark suggesting that he is high enough in the ratings now. Behind Azure Fly latest so has work to do to trouble the principals.

8 PETITE POWER – Smart form when fresh, winning on his seasonal debut last time around. Hasn’t had many opportunities over fences with this trip on a stiffer track potentially the key to unlock further improvement. One of the more interesting ones.

9 MORNEY WING – Dour stayer, he landed the Sussex National at the beginning of 2017. Acts on good ground but all wins with considerably more cut, needs a little further than this to show his very best when conditions are this quick.

10 BUGSIE MALONE – Improved for the step up to this trip on decent ground in the spring. Shaped well behind a subsequent winner on his seasonal debut over hurdles, he should be open to more improvement yet.

11 PRESENTING JULIO – In sparkling form in the summer albeit primarily over hurdles. This trip on good ground is perfect and while that form has all come on sharper tracks at a lesser level, the fact that Gordon Elliott sends him over entitles him to respect.

12 HONKYTONKTENNESSEE – Enjoyed a good time of things since moving to this yard, genuinely good ground is key to him. Disappointing when turned over in a seller last week and despite that being over a trip short of his best, it leaves him with a little to prove.

13 MURRAY MOUNT – All three wins have come over two and a half miles in lesser company. The ground will be fine. but little to suggest that the step up in trip is going to suit now swimming in far deeper waters.

14 WOOD YER – Last two wins have both come off this mark of 114 but on much deeper ground. Strong stayer, the fear has to be that he will find things happening far too quickly for him on such lively ground, despite being feasibly treated.

15 AMIRAL COLLONGES – Ended a lengthy losing run in May before reverting to type last time when pulling up. Winner from this mark over hurdles at the back end of 2015, but is too much of a risky proposition to have faith in at present.

16 WALDEN PRINCE – Consistent enough two mile chaser at his level, all six career wins at that trip. Yet to go further than two and a half with nothing to suggest that he wants such a test of stamina, easily opposed.

17 THADY QUILL – Won at Worcester in July but that was at a much lower level. Eight pounds out of the handicap here, he would be one of the biggest shocks of the season if able to triumph.