Cheltenham Festival tips: Tote Placepot selections for Tuesday

With Ballyburn running in the newly-named Gallagher Novices' Hurdle on Wednesday, the Festival opener has opened up considerably. 

In his absence, Willie Mullins still dominates the market with Mystical Power and Tullyhill towards the fore. They both had the useful Jigoro in behind when last seen, with Tullyhill dictating the Sheila Bourke Novice Hurdle from the front, while Mystical Power showed a potent turn of foot to win the Moscow Flyer, coming from off the pace. 

Tullyhill’s front-running style will suit, particularly for placepot purposes, and so he is included. 

Slade Steel is almost certainly better over further, but the Ballyburn effect had led connections to take their chance in the Supreme, instead of the Gallagher. He has plenty of experience, and his second to Ballyburn at the DRF is a solid level of form; I’d question whether he’s up to winning, but he should run well and perhaps his Grade One win will come at Aintree in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (which Robcour won with Irish Point last season).

Selections: Tullyhill and Slade Steel. 

Often a race dominated by one of two standouts; not this year, though. While many will argue that Gaelic Warrior is the clear pick on ability, you’d be a braver man than me to fully put your trust in him. 

Quilixios seems a more reliable option. The former Triumph Hurdle winner has been lightly raced since that Triumph victory, but is two from three over fences with clear excuses for his one poor run. His defeat of Sa Fureur and Mister Policeman at Naas was a good effort, and he impressed with the way he travelled & jumped. Likely to be ridden handily, he looks a solid pick. 

JPR One also impressed with his jumping in the Lightning Novices' Chase at Lingfield, and while I think he’s likely to find one or two too good, I can see him running a solid race. 

Selections: Quilixios & JPR One.

Vintage Clouds asides, this has generally been one of the more predictable Festival handicaps. 

The Goffer looks sure to run a good race having finished a very respectable fourth last year in a strong renewal. He’s now 2lb lower, and this has seemingly been the plan for some time. I do query whether he fully stays up the Cheltenham hill, having faded last year after travelling strongly, although he was only a six-year-old then. Regardless, he shouldn’t be far away. 

Neither should Chianti Classico, who has a great profile for this race. He looked a natural on his chasing debut at Chepstow, and I don’t think we saw the best of him on his next couple of starts, despite running well on both occasions. British-trained novices have a great record, and he’s the type of horse Kim Bailey excels with. 

Selections: The Goffer & Chianti Classico.

No need to overcomplicate this. 

In Constitution Hill’s absence, State Man is clearly the horse to beat and, in my view, there is no reason why he shouldn’t win. His consistency is his greatest strength, and he’s a certified top-class Grade One horse over two miles; the same cannot be said for any of his rivals. 

Selection: State Man. 

One of the most commonly asked questions in the build-up to the Festival: Will Lossiemouth stay? 

Her dam won over 12.5f on the flat and is a half-sister to Grade One-winning miler, Lord Glitters. On the other hand, her sire, Great Pretender, has produced many stayers over jumps, as well as Benie Des Dieux who won the Mares' Hurdle for Lossiemouth’s connections. 

Her two runs at Cheltenham have been slowly run affairs which showed off her undeniable class and speed. The fact that connections are already looking at next year’s Champion Hurdle tells you a lot about the regard in which she is held. 

So, while her stamina for two-and-a-half miles will remain a question mark until approximately 4:15pm on Tuesday, I suspect her class will hold her in good stead and make her very tough to beat. 

Selection: Lossiemouth.

Just what you want at the end of any Placepot – a Juvenile handicap! This will undoubtedly boost the dividend substantially. 

Milan Tino was generously dropped 10lb by the British handicapper, although you could argue his initial rating was inflated due to his French form behind Jigme. His run behind Sir Gino was an improved effort having been a tad disappointing at the November meeting, and he’s a solid benchmark, so should run well. However, I do think he lacks a turn of foot but, assuming he’ll be ridden positively, he should be up to sneaking a place, for all that I question his winning chance. 

Martin Brassil went agonisingly close in handicaps last year with Fastorslow and An Epic Song. Both were well beaten at the Dublin Racing Festival prior to Cheltenham, as was Ose Partir who looks to have had this race as the aim all season. He shaped very well from off the pace in the Grade Two over Christmas, and he could be very well handicapped off 126. 

Selections: Milan Tino and Ose Partir.

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