Here are the Cheltenham tips for Thursday 12 March 2020 from @cheltenhamtips on twitter. Tips by Karl Hedley, Racing Post Search For A Tipster champ. Since then he has written for The Irish Field, The Irish Post and writes regular blogs for a number of websites.
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Betting Odds correct at 5pm 11 March 2020 and subject to change. You need to be 18 years and older and please gamble responsibly.
1.30 MARSH NOVICES’ CHASE
Faugheen (EW 5/1) may be a twelve-year-old now but this gallant warrior is still only lightly raced and was only campaigned over fences for the first time this season. He has taken to them with the style and aplomb that he gave to his hurdles a couple of years ago and Willie Mullins has given him a new lease of life in this sphere.
Undefeated in three outings so far this season, he saw off re-opposing stablemates in Easy Game and Tornado Flyer when last seen out at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. Prior to that effort he turned over the better fancied Samcro over this trip by no fewer than ten lengths at Limerick.
Faugheen is clearly in good heart or connections would not be risking him here. In what is likely to be his swan song he can bring the house down with another scintillating effort.
2.10 PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL HANDICAP
Relegate (EW 6/1) returns to the scene of the biggest ever win landing the champion bumper here a couple of seasons ago. The seven-year-old mare has left the yard of Willie Mullins since but made an eye-catching debut for Colm Murphy in a qualifying race for this at Punchestown a few weeks ago.
She is fully entitled to improve for that run. In the race she was held up at the back of the field and steadily progressed the further it went on. She was doing all of her best work in the closing stages and two of the three rivals that finished in front of her that day were receiving weight from her so the performance can be marked up.
Paul Townend takes over in the saddle this afternoon in what is an encouraging jockey booking. Genuine soft ground is not a bother on her and she is set to receive weight from market rivals such as The Storyteller and Sire Du Berlais. The Irish have won the last four renewals of this particular race and they come here mob handed yet again.
Provided she can be kept out of harms way, Relegate can propel her trainer back into the limelight. This is clearly been the plan for her all along and she looks destined to go well.
2.50 RYANAIR CHASE
A Plus Tard (WIN 7/4) is still only a six-year-old but he put Chancun Pour Soi firmly in his place when they met at Leopardstown just after Christmas. The runner-up has come out to boost the form subsequently by dancing home in a Grade One at the same track. A line through that form gives him the beating of Min who lines up in opposition here.
A Plus Tard ran riot in the listed handicap chase at this meeting last year when thumping Tower Bridge by no fewer than sixteen lengths. Henry De Bromhead has his stable in excellent form and with Rachael Blackmore set to continue her association with the Cheveley Park runner, he has to be the one to beat here.
Most of their rivals have taken the time to find their true form this year including Frodon who won this last year. With Bryony Frost back in the saddle the pair have to be feared now that they return to defender their crown.
Ridersonthestorm was flattered by the fourteen lengths he won by at Ascot last time as the unfortunate Traffic Fluide came down when seeming to have his measure. He has endured a few tough races already this season and this may be one step too far. A Plus Tard looks to be a star in the making and is the selection here.
3.30 PADDY POWER STAYERS HURDLE
Paisley Park (WIN 4/6) has done nothing wrong all of this year and has met all of the objectives laid out before him thus far. Wins at Newbury in the Long Walk Hurdle and then at Cheltenham in the Cleeve Hurdle means he comes here as a solid favourite, and he will prove a force to be reckoned with once again.
Summerville Boy and Emitom look likeliest to run him close according to the market but what they have achieved in comparison to the reigning champion pales into insignificance. Paisley Park is a dominance there who can assert his authority in a field which lacks any real talent over this three mile discipline. This multiple course and distance winner has plenty of experience on his side to call upon and is a worthy favourite.
4.10 BROWN ADVISORY AND MERRIEBELLE STABLE PLATE HANDICAP CHASE
Happy Diva (EW 25/1) is a nine-year-old mare who seems to have been around for an eternity. She is remarkably consistent and despite the ground being like glue at Ascot when last sighted, she still plugged on to be fourth behind Domaine De L’Isle.
Any further drying out of the ground will certainly be in her favour and Richard Patrick who knows her so well, is able to take three pounds off her back. It is worth remembering that the combination of horse and jockey won a fiercely contested BetVictor Gold Cup over the course and distance back in November and this is likely to have been on the agenda ever since.
This race tends to suit those carrying relatively light weights, so Happy Diva can take advantage of the concessions she will draw from the likes of Simply The Betts, Siruh Du Lac and Old Grangewood. She has a lot of ticks in all of the right boxes and she looks sure to be competitive at a track she clearly handles.
4.50 DAWN RUN MARES NOVICES’ HURDLE
Minella Melody (WIN 11/4) comes here seeking a four timer following workmanlike victories at Cork, Punchestown and Fairyhouse. She has certainly fulfilled the promise she displayed when winning on debut at Gowran Park last spring before going on to finish second in a Grade Three bumper at Aintree just a few weeks later.
In her most recent win at Fairyhouse in January she put comfortable distance between herself and the re-opposing Willie Mullins pair of Colreevy and Dolcita. The latter pair had no answers to the questions posed by the team of De Bromhead and Blackmore, and it would be somwhat surprising if they somehow managed to find some now.
Usually rather subdued, the trainer was waxing lyrical regarding the promise this mare had shown. The enthusiasm for this potential star was duly noted and she should be careful of another bold showing here.
5.30 FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP
Plan Of Attack (E/W & NAP 9/1) ran a fantastic race behind Roaring Bull at Leopardstown over the Christmas period. The sparsely raced seven-year-old won at Aintree on his seasonal return at the end of October where he fended off a strong challenge from The Hollow Ginge.
The form of that race has worked out incredibly well with the runner up franking it subsequently. Other horses to come out and one after that race include Shannon Bridge, Deise Aba, Django Django and Over To Sam.
Plan Of Attack will be assisted in the saddle by Barry O’Neill. He has been the champion point-to-point jockey in Ireland in 2017, 2018 and 2019. He has ridden Henry De Bromhead’s charge five times of the last two seasons and they have never finished outside of the first two places. They have also picked up three wins along the way. The combination have to rate as live contenders here and will make their presence felt.