Cheltenham Festival Friday Tips | Jake Price

My Friday tips from the Cheltenham Festival begin in the Triumph Hurdle which looks like a two-horse race, but East India Dock seems the best option for the present. A classy Flat recruit (rated 89), he won his hurdles debut effortlessly before dominating the Grade 2 Triumph Trial at Cheltenham in November, winning by 18 lengths.

After a break he returned on Trials Day when carrying a 5lb penalty, yet once again he still bolted up by 10 lengths. His relentless galloping style and preference for drying ground give him an edge over Lulamba, who may prefer softer conditions. With proven Cheltenham course and distance form, he looks primed for a big run in the Triumph.

Kargese has strong claims in the County Hurdle, given her course and distance form. A top-class Juvenile last season, she won the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile before finishing a close second in the Triumph Hurdle on this card. She later pushed Sir Gino at Aintree and ended the season with a Grade 1 win at Punchestown.

A late return to training meant a delayed reappearance at Ascot, where she finished a close second to Take No Chances – but that run should have sharpened her up and taken the freshness out of her. Off a mark of 141 she looks well-handicapped, and with Paul Townend booked, she will be tough to beat if settling better than she has done in the past.

Karafon looks a very interesting contender in the Martin Pipe, especially with talented conditional Tiernan Power Roche booked to ride. A 5-year-old who qualifies for this race partly through Juvenile Hurdles, he showed improvement when stepping up in trip to 2m3½f at Clonmel, winning a Maiden Hurdle in December.

Though tested over 2m in Grade 1 Novice Hurdles at Leopardstown, he now returns to a more suitable trip. With exactly five hurdle starts—meeting the Festival Handicap Hurdle requirement—connections appear to have carefully plotted his path to this race. His step back up in distance makes him an intriguing prospect for Friday’s closing contest.

*Information correct at time of writing. 18+ only. GambleAware.