Cheltenham Festival Tuesday Tips |
Irish NH Tips

My first Cheltenham Festival tip goes with this mare who has gone from strength to strength all season and has left a disappointing run at this meeting last year well behind her. That is the only time she has ever been beaten when she got outsprinted up the hill. She's a two-time open Grade 1 winner at this trip, getting the better of State Man twice in the Morgiana at Punchestown and at Leopardstown over Christmas when she put in a frightening performance.

The only slight doubt I'd have in my mind is the possibility she could bounce after such a big run at Christmas but if she turns up in the same form as she was in at Christmas, I can't see her beat and she could still be improving!

I know the Irish have a terrible record in this race having not won since 2006 when Tony Martin and Ruby Walsh teamed up with Dun Doire, but I firmly believe that we have a real strong contender in the shape of Sequestered. He is a horse that the Gilligan's have always liked and though he may have underachieved a bit in the second half of his novice hurdle career, he's making up for lost time over fences.

He absolutely bolted up at Leopardstown over Christmas and the handicapper has hit him with a 12lb rise in the weights for that. He's since ran a stormer back in trip at the Dublin Racing Festival back in trip, but I think stepping back up to 3m 1f here will be right up his street and I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't run a big race.

This Gordon Elliott inmate may have to carry top weight here, but I don't think that will stop him being very competitive. He was third on his hurdles debut at Navan behind two horses well fancied in this in the shape of Total Look and Beyond Your Dreams. He then went to Leopardstown over Christmas where he was well supported, and he got the better of Galileo Dame who has since finished second to Hello Neighbour at a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival, and though Wendrock himself disappointed that day, a lot of the Gordon Elliott horses were running flat at the time.

I expect a much-improved run out of him here and I firmly believe he's a Graded performer in a handicap and looks sure to run well!

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