OUR tipster Karl Hedley has tipped five winners since the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. Vautour, Quevega and Whisper all obliged for our man. Here are Karl’s tips for the day…
In-brief – Karl’s tips on day four are:
1-30 Guitar Pete
2-05 Cheltenian
2-40 Briar Hill
3-20 Bobs Worth
4-00 On The Fringe
4-40 Une Artiste
5-15 Raya Star
In more detail, Karl’s big tips are:
1.30, JCB Triumph Hurdle (Juvenile Grade 1) (2M 1F)
Guitar Pete has proved something of a revelation this season, having picked up wins at Leopardstown and Down Royal. He burst the bubble of some well fancied sorts last time in Ivan Grozny and Plinth, both of whom are expected to line up here. He has already gained vital experience of the track and looks destined to go well.
Le Rocher has absolutely dotted in for Nick Williams on his only two starts. He likes to make his own running and could catch a few rivals napping in behind. If the ground remained soft or worse he would have to be high on any shortlist.
Calipto is another that may prove a massive threat as his form is working out well. He is untested in this sort of company however and that could just find him out. Guitar Pete is as versatile as they come and Dessie Hughes is no stranger to success at this meeting. As a result he gets the nod in a wide open renewal of this race.
2.05, Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) - 2 M 1 F
Cheltenian can cap a fantastic week for owner Roger Brookhouse. His Baltimore Rock won the Imperial Cup at Sandown last weekend and he has to have similar claims with this lightly raced eight year old.
Injury has played a massive part in keeping him off the track but connections were proved right for perservering with him when he won doing handstands at Uttoxeter in December. He then ran a cracking trial for this race when fourth to Splash Of Ginge in the Betfair Hurdle.
Flaxen Flare won the Fred Winter at this meeting last season and clearly likes the track. He has done nothing wrong all year and was a fine fourth to Dell’ Arca in the Greatwood over the course and distance back in November. Gordon Elliott is likely to have him primed to run another huge race and he can make the frame.
David Pipe paid an exhuberant sum for Dell’ Arca at the sales in France. He remains unexposed following just two runs and can go well again. Cheltenian has previous Festival winning form and that can swing things in his favour.
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