GG tipster Matthew Sutcliffe has picked out four selections one week out from the Cheltenham Festival to combine into a Lucky 15.
His tips include selections in the Triumph Hurdle, in which he believes the Brits have a chance to upset the Irish.
BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle – Kateira 10/1
It takes some faith to trust Kateira to return to form here, but such was the case when Langer Dan won the Coral Cup with form figures of 378 prior to the 2023 renewal, and then 6P90 prior to winning the 2024 renewal.
Since beating the reigning Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace at Wetherby on seasonal debut, albeit the winner was off colour, Kateira’s form has drastically dropped off now reading 4389, latterly beaten 24 lengths in a handicap at Ascot.
That said, she wasn’t disgraced at Ascot in Grade 2 company behind Wodhooh having caught the eye in rear, finishing only a length behind the dual subsequent winner Potters Charm.
She then carried top-weight in some competitive handicaps and struggled to get into the race in rear, but she’s now dropped 4lbs since that seasonal debut and is lurking on a competitive mark. It would be a minor concern she’s not yet raced at Cheltenham, but her form when beating Jango Baie in a nineteen runner field at the Aintree bodes well and it’s rather convenient that her mark of 141 was that of Langer Dan’s 2024 triumph for the Skeltons.
Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle – Bold Endeavour 20/1
Seven Barrows had the forecast in the Pertemps last season with Doddiethegreat winning at 25/1 and given the yard only have two entered this season, with Impose Toi looking likely to head to the Stayers, Bold Endeavour looks to be the sole hope this term.
Both Doddiethegreat and Jeriko Du Reponet were returning from a spell in the doldrums when qualifying for the contest, and Bold Endeavour had form figures of 007PP prior to returning from a 369 day break at Huntingdon last month in a Pertemps Qualifier, beaten four lengths into third. He travelled well throughout before taking a blow coming down to the last, paving the way for the eventual winner Ace Of Spades. It was pleasing to see him keep on there as opposed to weakening out of things which would suggest he’s coming back to form, and he has a 5lbs swing in the weights with the winner for this contest who’s the 12/1 third favourite.
Bold Endeavour was beaten three lengths into fourth in this contest in 2024 which was his last strong showing prior to his form tailing off and he’s now 13lbs below that mark. He looks to have been plotted with this race in mind, he should sneak in to the rear end of the weights and should he come on physically for that first run back off a layoff, he can land back to back Pertemps Final’s for the yard.
JCB Triumph Hurdle – Minella Study 7/1
Minella Study was tipped up at 20/1 ante-post for the column and I still think the 7/1 is more than fair.
The Irish generally come to the fore here but with Narcisco Has out, their challenge doesn’t appear bombproof and Minella Study still remains much the best of the Brits for me.
His performance over course and distance was excellent, as despite travelling keenly, he jumped foot perfect throughout and shot up the straight in the manner of a fresh horse. He gave 7lbs to Winston Junior there who’s now rated 131 after a comfortable win at Ascot next time out, and he easily beat One Horse Town nine lengths, who was only two lengths behind Maestro Conti next time out giving him 2lbs.
Adam Nicol suggested he’s still far from the finished article and will have come on plenty for that race, and I love the way he’s been patient with him since. Selma De Vary is also on side for the column and would be the Mullins one I’d more fear, but I’m yet to see a more impressive Juvenile than Minella Study this season and I’d be of the opinion he’s a potential Champion Hurdler for the future.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Klimt Madrik 20/1
The Albert Bartlett still looks wide open at this stage and given it generally throws up a large priced winner, I’m keen to play the Challow second Kilimt Madrik.
Horses stepping up in trip after placing in graded company have an excellent record in the contest, and Klimt Madrik fared strongly in a steadily run affair when second to No Drama This End, with the winner landing his third graded win of the season.
Klimt Madrik was the most unsuited of all given he was ridden in rear throughout, and he was doing all of his best work late on when collaring Tiptoptim for second. The Challow has long been thought of as a Cheltenham curse, but last year’s winner The New Lion followed up in the Champion Hurdle with the third, Wendigo, finishing fifth in the Albert Bartlett. He has a similar profile to The Jukebox Man, who was second in the Albert Bartlett after placing in the Challow, who also began his campaign at Ffos Las.
The fourth has since franked that form after winning the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso last weekend, and I like the fact they’ve kept him fresh for this as he still looks a big raw son on Choeur Du Nord who should be strongly suited by a hold up ride on this galloping course