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Cheltenham Tips: Showcase Meeting Best Bets for Friday
Cheltenham is back! I’ve got a bet in all seven races on day one of The Showcase, a Willie Mullins NAP and a Skelton-Mullins win double to tie it together.
Tips are opinion, not guarantees. GYTO may earn commission from bet365 links on this page. 18+
Can Happen Handicap Hurdle · Each Way
14/1
1.50
Ice Jet Novices’ Chase · Win
11/4
2.25
Loriko Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle · Each Way
5/1
3.00
Cooltobecareless NEXT BESTSharp Novices’ Hurdle · Win
2/1
3.35
Calico Handicap Chase · Win
3/1
4.10
Mr Hollywood NAPNovices’ Hurdle · Win
5/6
4.45
Fairlawn Skipper Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase · Win
10/3
WIN DOUBLECooltobecareless + Mr Hollywood9/2
GREAT TO HAVE CHELTENHAM BACK! The Showcase Meeting kicks off the jumps season at Prestbury Park and the Grade 2 Sharp Novices’ Hurdle looks a belter. No surprise Dan Skelton has the favourite given how fast his team have started. Notebooks at the ready, there are some exciting horses on show.
I’ve been through all seven races. Below you’ll get my selection, why I like it and the horse I fear most. Every price is clickable and drops the bet straight into your bet365 slip. Let’s make it a profitable afternoon and set things up nicely for Saturday!
1.15 Cheltenham: Handicap Hurdle Tips
- Weight10-7
- Form573P0-191
- BetEach Way
A proper puzzle to open the meeting, so I’m going in at a double-figure price. CAN HAPPEN is on the up and I liked the way he knuckled down to win at Navan last month.
They went hard up front that day and it played into his hands, but there’s every chance the race is run the same way here. At 14/1 each way he looks too big to me.
1.50 Cheltenham: Novices’ Chase Tips
I don’t want to be backing Bowensonfire at the price, so ICE JET is the one for me. He’s won four of his last six and stepped up again over fences when winning easily at Uttoxeter last month.
That form is working out nicely too. The horse he beat won next time and even the fourth, Jet Of Dreams, has won both starts since. There’s more to come and he’s well worth a go at this level.
2.25 Cheltenham: Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Tips
- Weight12-0
- Form62-112113
- BetEach Way
Conditional jockeys’ races are never easy but LORIKO should go close for Dan Skelton. He’s only five, he’s run well round here before and he won four times last season.
He’s been kept busy so fitness won’t be a worry, and that Sedgefield win was a smart effort. 5/1 each way does me.
3.00 Cheltenham: Sharp Novices’ Hurdle Tips
- Weight11-2
- Form210-1
- BetWin
The big race of the day and I think the Skelton team land it with COOLTOBECARELESS. He won his first hurdle by 13 lengths at Chepstow and you’d imagine this has been the plan ever since.
It’s a step up in class for sure, but he looks to have loads more to give. My Next Best at 2/1.
3.35 Cheltenham: Handicap Chase Tips
CALICO has won this race two years running and he’s always one to catch fresh. Two miles round here is right up his street.
It’s a good prize to bank early in the season and I’d expect him to be primed for it. Three out of three would be no surprise at all.
4.10 Cheltenham: Novices’ Hurdle Tips
- Weight11-5
- Form31
- BetWin
My NAP. Willie Mullins sends MR HOLLYWOOD over and he’ll be all the rage. He needed the experience when third on his hurdles debut at Killarney, then landed a gamble at Galway in July.
Ignore his two runs on the Flat since. Back over hurdles he’s got more to come and this looks the perfect spot. Odds-on, but I’d be surprised if he’s beaten.
4.45 Cheltenham: Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase Tips
- Weight11-4
- Form4-901U121
- BetWin
Another amateurs’ race to finish, so no huge confidence, but FAIRLAWN SKIPPER should go well for Mickey Bowen. He’s won three of his last five.
He beat a horse in form, Limerick Leader, at Kelso last month and there’s more to come over fences. 10/3 to close the day.
My Cheltenham Friday Win Double
Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins. Get used to those names, because that’s the story of the jumps season ahead! COOLTOBECARELESS was impressive at Chepstow and can step up in grade, while MR HOLLYWOOD looks very hard to beat in the novice hurdle later on. Together they make a 9/2 double.
Add Cooltobecareless + Mr Hollywood double9/2MR HOLLYWOOD is the bet of the day and COOLTOBECARELESS isn’t far behind. Throw in CAN HAPPEN at 14/1 each way in the opener and LORIKO each way and we could have a big afternoon. LET’S GET THE JUMPS SEASON OFF TO A FLYER!
