Paddypower tipsters gathered in Dublin last week to provide their tips for Cheltenham

The tipsters were

• Donn McLean – Sunday Times and Irish Field journalist and one of the shrewdest judges in the game.
• David Minton – Renowned breeder and bloodstock agent who incidentally has bought no less than thirteen winners of the Triumph Hurdle
• Edward O’Grady – A leading trainer and one with a particular fondness for winning at Cheltenham.
• Timmy Murphy – one of the best jockeys in the business with a host of victories on board some of the best horses in some of the best races, most recently, guiding Comply Or Die to victory in the Grand National.
• Tony Mullins – a leading trainer and part of the Mullins dynasty.
• Mick Fitzgerald – former top jockey and rapidly becoming a top MC
• Paul Ryan, Paddypower representative

Supreme Novice Hurdle Preview

Donn McLean: Cousin Vinny is one hell of a horse and he has a great chance. He’s obviously got the form over the course and he would have won hands down last time if it wasn’t for that fall at the final hurdle. There might be a bit of an angle to the race because I hear he might go for the Ballymore Properties Hurdle, but with Non Runner No Bet, you can back him and if he doesn’t run, you won’t lose out. If he does go the Ballymore route, Red Moloney is one I’d look out for. He was rated 109 on the flat and although he won three rather weak races, he still won them and jumped well. I know Phillip Hobbs is very sweet on Copper Bleu and he was very disappointed with him at Doncaster, even though he didn’t lose by much.

Tony Mullins: Willie doesn’t know what race Cousin Vinny will go for, but whichever one it is, he’ll win. He holds all the aces no matter which race it is. He’s the absolute banker of Cheltenham and he’s a great price just because Paddy’s (Paddy Mullins) riding him. It’s because he’s an amateur - I can tell you if Ruby was on board you’d only be getting 4/6. I know he’s my nephew, but I’m not just saying it – Paddy is a hell of a rider and having him on board won’t hinder the horse by any means. There’s no point talking about the rest, this lad will win and in my opinion could go on to be the next Istabraq.

David Minton: I was talking to Willie earlier today and he tells me Cousin Vinny will go in this race. Trenchant is getting weight and he was very impressive at Kempton. He’s got a great chance. I’d disagree with Tony a bit about the jockey. Paddy has only ridden in nine hurdle races and with all the hustle of bustle of a Supreme Novices’, you need experience to handle the pressure. That said, he’s a hell of a horse and I can’t see him being beaten.

Edward O’Grady: It’s between the top three in the betting. I was impressed by Go Native on good ground and Torphichen could run a big race. I don’t think I’d have any problem with running a four year old in this race, age isn’t the issue. The only issue is if the horse is good enough.

Paul Ryan: The market has seen consistent money for Cousin Vinny. The Irish have a great record in this race and I won’t be surprised to see him go off much shorter on the day. Michael Flips was bought for huge money and the form has worked out well since he won so I think he could win it.

Tony Mullins: There’s nothing to oppose Cousin Vinny. I’ve said he’s going to be the next Istabraq and hopefully he’ll prove me right. He’s a great price because of the amateur.
Timmy Murphy: Tony is sitting too close to me here to disagree about the jockey! I don’t think that will be a problem, but there is a lot of pressure.

Donn McLean: I agree with Tony, the amateur is not a problem, he’s a great jockey. Looking beyond Cousin Vinny, I’d say Copper Bleu also has an each way shout.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Odds

Arkle 

Timmy Murphy: Its well worth following Ferdy Murphy’s horses. It takes them a while to get fully fit. Kalahari King has been winning and I guarantee he hasn’t been fully wound up yet. He’ll be a lot fitter when he turns up at the Festival and I think he’s good value.
Paul Ryan: To me this looks like the worst renewal of the Arkle in many a long day. We’ve made Tatenen favourite but I think it’s a case of trying to find a favourite for this race because none of them stand out. His form is the best of the lot. There’s been a bit of interest for I’msingingtheblues, but I see him more as an Aintree horse than a Cheltenham one. Forpadydeplasterer hasn’t got a trip. They’ve tried him over a whole range of distances and he keeps coming up just short.

Tom Mullins: I’d have to agree with Paul. It’s the worst Arkle in my memory. Forpadydeplasterer has no trip and I’d see him more as a decent handicapper. This is a wide open race and there’s nothing solid to fancy in most of them. They’re all so weak that I think something will spring a surprise at a big price, maybe my one, Made In Taipan at 25/1.

Edward O’Grady: Yes, again I’d go along with what Tony and Paul have said. If the ground comes up fast there could be a very strange result. Willie’s horse (Golden Silver) could run well.

David Minton: I’ve got a bit of emotional interest in this race as my wife bred I’msingingtheblues. It would be great to see him win. He looks fantastic and of he has the course form. Phillip Hobbs won’t hear of Planet of Sound being beaten and I think he has a real chance.

Donn McLean: There’s no doubt that this is a weak Arkle. I’d wonder why Tatenen is favourite – it’s probably the Ruby Factor. He won a weak race when he bullied them. I like the look of Calgary Bay and I’ve actually backed him to win next year’s Gold Cup. I’d be a little worried about I’msingingtheblues because there is some rain forecast and he wouldn’t want the ground to be too soft. I’ve always though Made In Taipan is a good hurdler that goes well left handed. He lost his way a bit, but I think he came back very strongly recently and 25/1 is a massive price.

Mick Fitzgerald: If my opinion is worth anything, I like the look of Planet of Sound. He’s already beaten Calgary Bay and I think he’s standout value.

Arkle Chase Odds

Champion Hurdle

Edward O’Grady: I’d love to have Binocular in my yard but he did that bad bit of work at Kempton and that puts me off. It may not be anything to worry about, but it certainly didn’t leave a nice taste in the mouth. Osana is a big danger as he’ll certainly come up that hill, which isn’t something you’d be absolutely sure Binocular will do.

David Minton: I had a long chat with Nicky Henderson and he told me that Binocular simply hated Kempton and when he worked on grass he was a completely different horse. In fact ‘electrifying’ was the word he used. He said he could not be happier with him. I hope and pray that he does win it. I think there will be serious pace in this one with Celestial Halo forcing it. Binocular looks fantastic and AP McCoy will hold on right until the end. I can’t see him being beaten.

Donn McLean: I didn’t see that piece of work he did at Kempton, but even before that I didn’t see him as good value. Five year olds just don’t have a good record in the race and I know Katchit won as a five year old last year, but the record is now 1 for 75. It’s a very difficult race for a five year old to win. It’s also hard to see him come up that hill. Granted both he and Captain Cee Bee pulled well clear of the field coming up the hill last year, but he was getting weight from Captain Cee Bee and still didn’t get his nose in front. Osana has been ridden too aggressively. His last run was a hell of a run, beaten by only three lengths giving away 4 pounds on his reappearance. Whiteoak is a massive price considering the 7 lbs mares’ allowance and the form she has over the course. She may go for the Mares’ Hurdle, but with Non Runner No Bet, she’s great value.

Timmy Murphy: Binocular has been very impressive but that work at Kempton was a bit of a scare. If he turns up fit and healthy on the day, he’ll be very hard to beat. I like my one, Ashkazar. He’s very lazy at home, but we put blinkers on him lately and seen a massive difference. This race is now for an out and out stayer. Osana had a great run last time. My fella is good each way value, but Binocular is hard to beat.

Tony Mullins: Binocular is the one to beat, but is he as far ahead of the others as the betting suggests? I doubt it. Osana has had his day and he’s an old man now. Katchit isn’t the horse he was. If Robbie Hennessy can get Sublimity back to his best, then I think he could be the one to beat Binocular. He was disappointing over Christmas, but he scoped badly. I’m of the opinion that it’s a weak Champion Hurdle and the opposition is middling. Although a Champion Hurdle is always going to be a Champion Hurdle, the winner of this race can’t be considered the same level as Persian War and those greats.

Paul Ryan: The Binocular question is one of the most divisive of the Festival. There’s people saying he’s great value and should be odds on and there are those who say he’s far too short. He has been the subject of some strong support, but we think he’s beatable. We’ve put our backside in the bacon-slicer and we’re happy to lay him. I’d agree that Katchit is gone.
Mick Fitzgerald: Binocular is one of the naps of the meeting and I hope he wins for my old boss.

Champion Hurdle Odds

Ballymore Properties Hurdle Odds 

Timmy Murphy: Diamond Harry is a worthy favourite, but then again I would say that. He’s won over the distance already at Cheltenham. He was very impressive at Newbury the time before last. He’s a better horse on better ground and Nick Williams is a good trainer, but I think he had him slightly overcooked the last day at Cheltenham. Nick is very happy with him. He’s a tremendous talent, but the one thing I would say is that hurdles are too small for him. Karabak is a very good horse and I’d see him as the obvious danger.

Edward O’Grady: Diamond Harry was like a hat-rack last time out. He needs a bit more weight on him. I think Willie has a superb horse in Mikael D’haguenet.

Donn McLean: I couldn’t be more impressed with Mikael D’haguenet, he’s a great horse. I’d be a little worried about Diamond Harry. It was a bad run last time out and he seems to go left a little bit. Karabak I like. He’s been exceptional all year and I know Alan King is very happy with him.

David Minton: It’s a very interesting race. I spent some time with Willie Mullins today and he was thrilled with Mikael D’haguenet’s work at the Curragh. He has been well trained, won his bumpers and has done everything right. Likewise Mad Max has done nothing wrong and is unbeaten in four, but maybe his ability to come up the hill is a question mark. He’s done most of his running on flat courses and you couldn’t be certain that he’s a Cheltenham horse. The Nightingale is a hell of a horse and he looks like value. I can see why the bookmakers are so keen to lay Diamond Harry because he had a very tough race last time out.

Tony Mullins: If Cousin Vinny turns up in this race he’ll win it. Diamond Harry is the best ride Timmy has at the Festival. I was talking to Willie about Mikael D’haguenet and Cheltenham was never on the agenda for this horse. He’s a genuine, really good horse, but when Willie doesn’t have plans to send a horse to Cheltenham and he sends him over, it normally doesn’t work. Mad Max is too much of a baby, Karabak has been impressive in lesser races, but I’d have questions about them all.

Mick Fitzgerald: Mad Max is the stand out for me, he’s a very good horse.

Ballymore Properties Hurdle Odds
 

RSA Chase

Mick Fitzgerald: I was talking to Sir Alex Ferguson and I asked him had any of his players backed What A Friend and he told me they did, but none of them got 16/1! He’s very bullish about What A Friend’s chances. Cooldine looks to be the one to beat, but he ploughed through a fence doing a bit of work at Leopardstown. Would that be enough to put you off?

Edward O’Grady: I was very disappointed to see that he ploughed through that fence. Willie Mullins has placed Cooldine brilliantly and has really set him up well to win this race. Carruthers is another one that I think has a serious chance.

Donn McLean: I’m also a Cooldine fan and Willie has been very clever with the campaign he mapped out for him. I think he’s way overpriced and funnily enough, What A Friend is way too short. He tends to carry his head very high and I can’t have him. I also like Carruthers, but my main concern with him would be that he had a though race last time out. He won, but it was a real slog and I’d doubt if he’ll be recovered by the time Cheltenham rolls around.

Tony Mullins: Cooldine jumps and stays so I wouldn’t be worried about that. Willie has placed him very well, but if he was as good as they say he is, he wouldn’t need to be placed well – he’d win wherever he went. I like Massini’s Maguire and he has the course form, but his recent form isn’t solid. As for What A Friend, if he does carry his head too high, then he carries it a hell of a lot faster than all the others. I’ve a sneaking suspicion for Massini’s Maguire because Phillip Hobbs has to win something.

Paul Ryan: The Ruby Factor has seen a lot of money come for Cooldine. A Carruthers win would be a nice story, but I’m not so convinced it can happen. It’s another one of these wide open races.

RSA Chase Odds

Champion Chase 

Mick Fitzgerald: Master Minded is the shortest priced horse I’ve seen in all my years at the Festival, but he’s also the best horse I’ve ever seen, so you can see why. We’ve got a real superstar with this one. I suppose the real question is ‘what will finish second’?

Paul Ryan: You’re spot on Mick. We’ve already paid out on Master Minded and we can’t see him being beaten. In the Betting Without Master Minded, we’ve Big Zeb as favourite, but even if our Lord came down off the cross and rode him he wouldn’t win.

Donn McLean: I certainly couldn’t back against Master Minded. He doesn’t touch a twig when he jumps. I like Big Zeb, he’s got lots of potential and I think he can go on to be top class. Colm Murphy has only ever sent over a handful of horses to England so when he does send one across the Irish Sea, there’s a reason for it.

David Minton: I bought Master Minded. Ruby rode him in France and he was impressed from day one. He’s a mighty horse.

Timmy Murphy: I think Well Chief can get into the frame, but it will need a fantastic training performance to recapture his best form. He’s a contender in the Betting Without.

Tony Mullins: Master Minded is the best horse since Arkle and perhaps even superior to Arkle. He’s two or three stone superior to all the others, just like Arkle. Only some foot and mouth or a heart attack or maybe both will stop him and even then he’d need to be dead a couple of days. Big Zeb has no business being there. Voy Por Ustedes looks an absolute freebie in the Betting Without.
Champion Chase Odds


Champion Bumper 

Tony Mullins: My spies say that Sicilian Secret is the best of Willie’s bumper horses. I didn’t think he was all that impressive on his debut- he beat nothing - but I’m told he did a super bit of work since. Dermot Weld was around in the house the other day and he was saying he’s got one to beat Willie. He was so cocky about Rite Of Passage that you’d have to respect him. It’s very rare that Dermot is so cocky about one of his horses, so you#d have to take him seriously.

Edward O’Grady: I won this race with Pizarro. Tony says Sicilian Secret beat nothing, but my horse finished second and he’s a very good horse.

Tony Mullins: The horse that finished third that day is useless and exposed. He can’t win, he can’t be sold – he’s worse than Bank Of Ireland shares.

Edward O’Grady: I’ve been very impressed with Rite Of Passage. I really liked the way he quickened up.

David Minton: Willie has nine runners in the Bumper and it’s a well guarded secret who Paddy rides, but I understand that it will be Sicilian Secret. I like Dunguib, but he’ll need it to be soft on the day. Willie is very sweet on Cranky Corner. It’s going to be an Irish winner for sure.

Timmy Murphy: I like Henry King. He’s a nice horse, a bit quirky but he was very impressive winning at Newbury. It’s a massive ask, but I think he’s a bit of value. Like the rest of the lads, I’d have a lot of respect for Dermot Weld’s one. He’s not the type of man to go shooting his mouth off without good reason.

Paul Ryan: We’ve seen money for Sicilian Secret. Rite Of Passage looks to be a very good horse. It looks certain to be an Irish winner and probably a Willie Mullins trained winner.

Champion Bumper Odds

World Hurdle 
David Menton: I’ve always though Punchestowns had a great chance in this, but Kasbah Bliss has the course form.

Edward O’Grady: I saw Kasbah Bliss win a Group 3 on the flat last October and I was very impressed. He obviously finished second to Inglis Drever last year so we know he comes up the hill and he has improved so much on the flat – he looks the business.

Mick Fitzgerald: I think Kasbah Bliss is the biggest certainty of the Festival. I really like Punchestowns and I’d see him quite possibly as a future Gold Cup winner.

Donn McLean: I fully agree about Kasbah Bliss and I think he’s value. It’s been noticeable in some of his more recent races that they’ve been practising his late charges. I think they thought they could have beaten Inglis Drever last year had the challenge been delivered slightly better. Kasbah Bliss just exudes class and he’s the best bet of all the favourites. Fair Along is overpriced and looks each way value.

Timmy Murphy: Kasbah Bliss is the worthy favourite without a doubt. What he did in last year’s World Hurdle was good enough to win this race regardless of anything else. I think the betting has it spot on and he’s the best bet of the Festival.

Tony Mullins: Not all the favourites can win and I think this fella is open to being beaten. Last year was his chance and he couldn’t beat an old man. Punchestowns in a good horse on the way up but something tells me he’s not the horse everyone thinks he is.

World Hurdle Odds


Triumph Hurdle 

Timmy Murphy: Starluck has been very well trained. He’s kept a low profile, avoided heavy ground and run well on better ground. He has worked really well and he’s in great form, he’s one of my best chances at the Festival. He jumps well, travels well, he has pace and should have no trouble getting up that hill.

Tony Mulllins: It’s good that the Fred Winter came along because it has made this a proper race again. I was talking to Barry Geraghty the other day and he was telling me that Zaynar is easily his best ride of the Festival. He’s a good horse and he has a real chance.

Edward O’Grady: Nobody knows if the Irish four year olds are better than the British four year olds, so I’d be inclined to wait until after the Fred Winter to make a decision about this race. After that, we should have some idea of who has the better horses. Zaynar doesn’t jump well enough to be favourite. I’ve been impressed by Master Of Arts and Starluck. I’d like to think that my two, Alexander Severus and Jumbo Rio are good enough to get into the frame.

David Minton: Well after talking to Willie Mullins, I know that he’s very sweet on Art Sleuth who is a very big price. Alan Fleming is a very good trainer and he’ll have Starluck in great shape for the Festival. Walkon has some course form as well and I’d just take him to beat Zaynar in what should be a very tight race.

Donn McLean: I rate Master Of Arts very highly and I know Alan King likes Walkon a lot. My gut instinct is that Zaynar is too slow to handle the pace of a Triumph. It’s a fascinating race.

Paul Ryan: The betting is wide open which reflects the strong claims that a number of these horses have. I agree with Eddie that Walkon will beat Zaynar.

Triumph Hurdle Odds


Gold Cup

Mick Fitzgerald: Paul Nicholls is always very open with the press and it was interesting to hear that very upbeat report he gave about Neptune Collonges. I rode him in last year’s Gold Cup when he finished third and I actually think he ran below par. If the race had gone on another fifty yards he would have finished second and he was closing in on Denman.

Timmy Murphy: I was a big Kauto Star fan last year, but he just didn’t run his race. He’s been kept nice and fresh this year and I think he’s a better horse when he’s fresh. Denman didn’t look great at Kempton and he had a real hard race. I’d be surprised if he can get it back before the Gold Cup. Madison Du Berlais is good value each way.

Tony Mullins: Kauto is definitely opposable – I don’t think he is the horse he once was. There’s every chance that Neptune Collonges is a better horse than last year. Denman won’t run in my opinion. Madison Du Berlais is a handicapper and can’t win a Gold Cup. Exotic Dancer has been laid out for this and Albertas Run just isn’t good enough.

Donn McLean: there are a lot of factors against Kauto. He’s been on the go for a long time now and eventually horses reach a point where they start to regress. I personally think that the Gold Cup he won was a poor renewal. I don’t think Neptune Collonges can win it because he had a hard race in the Hennessy and given that the Hennessy was late this year and Cheltenham is early, he’s had little time to recover. At the age of 6 or 7, horses can improve a hell of a lot and I think Barber Shop could fit that profile. He has a lot to find, but the step up in trip should help him and he’s great each way value.

Edward O’Grady: I’m not Kauto’s biggest fan, but he ran a great prep. I’d prefer not to see Denman run this year, but there is a lot of pressure for a horse to at least try to defend his title. Star De Mohaison could set the pace and take the sting out of the race and could be value.

David Minton: Paul Nicholls paraded the three of his horses on Sunday and I have to say that Denman didn’t look good. Paul said that he schooled brilliantly. Kauto and Neptune looked well. I think we’re going to see a very different result this year and maybe an outsider can spring a surprise. I agree with Donn, Barber Shop is a star, but I’d say it’s more likely to be his year next year.

Paul Ryan: Neptune Collonges has a real chance and despite all the negatives for Denman, there has been support for him lately. Charlie Mann is extremely bullish about Air Force One and I think we’ll see a shock this year, so it could be worth listening to him.

Gold Cup Odds

Naps
Donn McLean:
Nap: Barber Shop in the Gold Cup.
Avoid: Binolcular in the Champion Hurdle.

Edward O’Grady:
Nap: Cooldine in the RSA Chase
Avoid: Denman in the Gold Cup

David Minton:
Nap: I’msingingtheblues in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Avoid: Diamond Harry

Mick Fitzgerald:
Nap: Kasbah Bliss in the World Hurdle
Avoid: Diamond Harry in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle

Timmy Murphy:
Nap: Voy Por Ustedes in the Ryanair Chase
Avoid: Zaynar in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle

Tony Mullins:
Nap: Cousin Vinny in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Avoid: Willie Mulllins’ horses in the Bumper

Paul Ryan:
Nap: Juveigneur in the Hunters’ Chase
Avoid: Big Zeb in the Champion Chase without Master Minded