Cheltenham Tips Today: 9/2 Selection For In-Form Tizzard Team & Friday’s Best Bets

Cheltenham Racecourse’s new season gets underway with The William Hill Showcase Meeting this weekend and Steve Mullington is here to preview every race on Day 1 at Prestbury Park.

And although it takes place just under five months before Jump Racing’s most prestigious meeting, The William Hill Showcase often throws up some valuable pointers for The Festival itself.

Cheltenham Betting Tips Friday:

• 1.15pm – Norman Fletcher (E/W)
• 1.50pm – Bowensonfire
• 2.25pm – Mojito Des Mottes
• 3.00pm – Kingofthefrontier (E/W)
• 3.35pm – JPR One (NAP)
• 4.10pm – Kingstonian (NB)
• 4.45pm – Fairlawn Skipper

Since 2008, when The William Hill Showcase assumed its present format, a total of 22 runners from the two days in October have gone on to score at the Cheltenham Festival in the same season.

Will we witness any more this year? Well, Steven Mullington endeavours to find out by marking your Friday card:

1.15pm – 2m4f William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap Hurdle

Fresh from his run six days ago at Newton Abbot, NORMAN FLETCHER sneaks into this 2m4f handicap off a very favourable weight.

Three years ago I witnessed this Twiston-Davies gelding winning in heavy conditions at Aintree, and if the ground gets a bit tacky on Friday, he surely holds a big each-way shout.

1.50pm – 2m Chasing Excellence Novices’ Chase

BOWENSONFIRE has been running some solid races in his native Ireland, most recently when finishing two-lengths third in a Grade 3 at Gowran Park.

That form looks by far the best in this small field and Gordon Elliott has found a nice opening for this six-year-old.

2.25pm – 2m½f Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle

These type of races are quite often determined by a competent jockey which leads me to selecting Beau Morgan aboard MOJITO DES MOTTES.

The four-year-old ran too bad to be true a fortnight ago at Chepstow, but I suspect something wasn’t quite right and he can bounce back today.

3.00pm – 2m½f Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

The John Dawson-trained KINGOFTHEFRONTIER can outrun his large odds today in this Grade 2 novices’ hurdle.

A shrewd purchase from the point-to-point sphere, the five-year-old romped home under Rules in the summer and will actually find the ground rather more suitable on this occasion. At around 28/1 in our horse racing betting, he’s worth an each-way interest.

3.35pm – 2m Handicap Chase 

The eye is automatically drawn to the participation of JPR ONE (NAP) in this contest, given that he’s a horse that can still hold his own in Grade 1’s, he’s now back in a handicap.

Officially rated 158 over fences, he is literally pounds ahead of his nearest ratings rival and I can see him dominating from the front.

4.10pm – 2m4f Novices’ Hurdle

Joseph O’Brien’s KINGSTONIAN (NB) wasn’t disgraced in the Irish Cesarewitch a fortnight ago and will be match fit for his return to hurdles.

Narrowly beaten in the Chester Plate back in May, this four-year-old appears to be a very versatile sort and should relish the distance and the uphill finish.

4.45pm – 3m1f Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

Derek O’Connor has ridden six notable winners at Cheltenham Racecourse over the years and is a top booking by the Bowen’s to steer FAIRLAWN SKIPPER around the Old Course.

The six-year-old is in marvellous form and another big effort is expected.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*