1.15pm Cheltenham Tips & Betting Preview 18/11/2017

A small but high quality field for a prize of £15,640. Read on for expert analysis and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: WEST APPROACH ran in all the top hurdles races last season and gave Uknowhatimeanharry a fright at this track, he faces nothing of that calibre today and can remain unbeaten over fences receiving weight from his rivals. Black Corton is already a prolific winner over the larger obstacles and should put up a fight as should Ballyoptic in what is an intriguing contest.

1 BALLYOPTIC – A high class hurdler who made a winning chase debut last time out. A creditable fifth in the Stayers’ Hurdle is some of the best form on offer and judging off the way he won last time there’s no reason to think he won’t be just as good over fences.

2 BLACK CORTON – By far the most experienced of these over fences having made seven starts over the bigger obstacles. He was possibly a fortunate winner over this course and distance last time but a record of 5-7 is not to be sniffed at and he will be competitive.

3 WEST APPROACH – Ran some massive races in open company as a novice last year over hurdles and made no mistake when beating a subsequent winner by nine lengths on his chase debut. He is the highest rated of these and receives weight from both his rivals so should go well.