Cheltenham on Friday: race-by-race guide and tip for every race

We have a Paul Nicholls improver as strong favourite here in Afadil, who has had the seemingly obligatory wind operation over the summer plus will have the services of - Freddie Gingell.

I came very close to tipping Afadil, who won at the Scottish Grand National meeting when we last saw him, and I would not put anyone off supporting him.

However, with bookmakers offering extra places, I’m siding with something less obvious in the shape of COOLNAUGH HAZE to grab a place at decent odds. James Owen has his yard in good form and has had three winners from his last ten runners including one ridden by Friday’s rider Jamie Gambin (his first winner under Rules).

Coolnaugh Haze has seemingly been improved a little since moving to this yard from Philip Hobbs and has dropped back down the handicap a little since his Worcester win. He might not have the upside of some in this race but is fit and well and his young rider takes off 10lb in a competitive event. (DN)

It will be disappointing if MY MATE MOZZIE doesn’t outclass his three rivals. He was much the best of these over hurdles and shaped well on his chasing bow at Fairyhouse this month, for all it was disappointing that he couldn’t repel The Big Chap in the closing stages.

My Mate Mozzie probably hasn’t won the races he should have done – he’s been beaten ten times when trading at Evens or shorter in-running – but this is a golden opportunity against a trio all burdened with penalties. The most interesting of his opponents is Jetronic, a French recruit for champion trainer Paul Nicholls. However, the four-year-old is going to have to be smart to beat My Mate Mozzie in receipt of just 1lb. (AS)

It is a little disconcerting that it has taken TAG MAN seven attempts to get off the mark over hurdles, but he gained a commanding success at Listowel last time after a sequence of good efforts. His official rating of 135 reflects the ability he’s shown and his experience is sure to stand him in good stead, with all ground coming alike to him.

Encanto Bruno looked a good prospect when winning a bumper at this meeting last year and was not extended to win on his hurdling bow in July. However, he ran poorly at the Galway Festival last time and has since moved yards. A bigger threat could be El Elefante, who again looked a good prospect when winning easily on her hurdling bow at Perth. (AS)

Paul Nicholls sends a strong team to Cheltenham on Friday with his GINNY’S DESTINY fancied to defy top weight here on his chasing bow.

Formerly trained by Tom Lacey, the seven-year-old’s exploits last season included chasing home Grey Dawning in a Grade Two contest at Warwick in mid-January. He’s closely related to three-time Grade One-winning chaser God’s Own and Nicholls, wasting no time sending him over the larger obstacles, reports him to be a sound jumper.

Idalo Bihoue’s latest form figures mask the fact that he finished third in the Challow Hurdle last term. He had jumped fine until departing about halfway on his chasing bow at Warwick when a well-backed favourite. (AS)

This could be another prize booked for Ireland because TOTO TOO (nap) was impressive when winning on his hurdling bow at Navan. The next three home had all shown fair form in bumpers and so there was substance, as well as style.

Toto Too had previously easily won a bumper, having bumped into an exciting prospect trained by Willie Mullins on his debut. Peter Fahey, the trainer of Toto Too, also had Sherodan entered at the five-day stage. That horse would have held strong form claims but stays at home.

Williethebuilder confirmed the promise he'd shown in bumpers when routing the opposition at Utooxeter, while Kamsinas also looked good when scoring at Worcester, for all he might not have beaten much. (AS)

Ben Pauling has two in this with chances, but MOLE COURT looks a real improver and I am guessing he has been put by for this following a hat-trick in low grade summer jumping events.

Mole Court has been transformed since being equipped with cheekpieces and has enjoyed himself jumping from the front and will no doubt be positively ridden here.

He had no problem stepped up to 2¾ miles last time out and I think it is very likely he will stay today’s extended 3m1f trip on good to soft ground. Top class amateur Jack Andrews has been booked and hopefully Mole Court will have been freshened up by a short break. (DN)

SERIOUS OPERATOR Looks as though he may have been well named, having won three of his five races last season, the last two of which were under the excellent Patrick Wadge.

Serious Operator seemed to improve for the application of the tongue strap and having been highly tried on his penultimate start he won a decent handicap at Ayr after being very well backed.

He was raised only 2lb for that win, possibly because he won at the main expense of a 13-year-old, but three next-time-out winners came from that seven-runner race and I think the form could be underestimated.

Moreover, the fact Lucinda Russell is sending him to Cheltenham at this stage of his career is interesting given the yard increasingly needs to be taken seriously. (DN)