Cheltenham Tips

The Willie Mullins/JP McManus combination could be the one to side with here and French import Proactif looked very smart when beating stablemate Macho Man on his first start for the yard at Fairyhouse. He also managed to win for previous connections at Auteuil in September and should improve plenty for his latest run. Willie Mullins has won this race for the last four years running and has every chance of making it five.

Paul Townend only has one ride in a handicap this week and he will be on board Karbau here. Willie Mullins’ gelding was an impressive winner of a maiden hurdle last term and ran well in Grade 1s at Aintree and Punchestown. He ran a cracker to finish second in a Grade 3 at Naas in January and connections have clearly been looking after his mark with this race in mind.

Dinoblue has stepped forward with each run so far this season and she bolted up over a shorter trip at Naas in a Listed contest at Naas last month. An impressive winner of this race last year, the competition is perhaps a little deeper this time around but the JP McManus-owned grey is still expected to come out on top here.

Gordon Elliott’s Jalon d’Oudairies was a very smart bumper horse a couple of seasons ago and produced an excellent performance to finish third in the Champion Bumper here. It has taken him a while to get up to speed this term, having missed an entire season, but it was much improved performance from him when bolting up at Naas. More will be needed at this level but improvement is anticipated and he’s a three-mile point-to-point winner.

Rich Ricci won the Champion Hurdle with Lossiemouth on Tuesday and Gaelic Warrior could provide him with victory in the Gold Cup. A stiff test of stamina will suit the eight-year-old and the sprint finish didn’t suit him in the King George. Fact To File doesn’t run and that leaves the door wide-open for this horse to claim the crown. Paul Townend is likely to employ patient tactics and he’s entitled to be bang in the mix jumping the last.

Wonderwall showed a terrific attitude to get the better of It’s On The Line in this race last year and he saw the trip out well. Sam Curling’s 10-year-old was last seen winning a point-to-point at Dromahane in November. Rob James returns to take the ride, having been on board last year, and the gelding should be in peak condition to defend his crown.

Nicky Henderson has already won the BetMGM Cup this week and East India Express is well set to add another handicap success to his tally. Returning to form with an excellent second behind Listentoyourheart in a valuable race at Windsor in January, he did well to recover after getting squeezed out at a key stage. A 4lb rise is very fair and a big run could be on the cards.