3:00 Cheltenham Tips

Sits just 1 lb above his last winning mark, with the first-time visor put on today. The application of a visor is most interesting, IMO. His father sparingly uses this type of headgear, but when he does the horses usually improve a ton for them. Hopefully this can be the case with this lad. He's still a good few lbs below his peak winning mark (won the Kerry National off 142). He runs off 137 this time. He's got a bit of experience in these types of races. He's 3 lbs below the mark he ran off in this race last term when finishing a fair sixth behind Stumptown, beaten 15L by the winner. JJ Slevin is booked to ride. That also catches the eye. I think he can take this race before maybe going mighty close in the big one in March if the visor has the desired effect.

Five of the last ten winners of this race came here after placing over a shorter trip at the November Cheltenham meeting. That 50% strike rate is a huge positive for the only such candidate this year, Mister Coffey. That second-place finish last time out had everything you'd want to see for this race. The horse was staying on well despite the trip being way too short. Course form is obviously a major positive here, and Busselton, who’s the favorite, has yet to place in six races at the course.

Quite strong market movement, unsurprisingly, for Emmet Mullins (SR 17%)??'trained Jarrive De Lest. Five chase wins in France, and has been purchased by owner Paul Byrne. By strong staying sire It's Gino. Allotted 10 st 5 lb here. Fairly deep race for an initial outing for the new stable, but a good opportunity for connections to get a quick return from their purchase.

Iseo Madrik did not get very far in this race last year, but he should be competitive. He is a cross-country specialist in France and looks attractively weighted.

Final Orders hasn't won since 2023 but looks on a good handicap mark. Ran well last time in a cross-country event in Ireland, finishing third. Good outsider bet.

Raced lazily and was outpaced when below form and comfortably held in a handicap chase at Fontwell last time. Suited by three miles on good ground, and the handicapper has eased the mark because of inconsistency lately, trying this discipline for the first time. But if taking to it, will be in the mix.

Doesn't always finish his races the strongest, but he has been in the mix in a bet365 Chase at Sandown, a Galway Plate and a Topham in the last 20 months. The last of those shows that he can handle some different obstacles. The first shows that he stays this far, and the middle shows that he has the class, so he is interesting at a price.

Seems to fit the pedigree profiles of previous winners, plus the RPRs of previous winners and some key trends too. Not only that, he has Sean Bowen riding. Does best on decent ground, which he should get here. Poor last year on soft.