Skip to content Finding smart value in Sunday’s Cheltenham tips comes down to whether an unexposed Grade 1 novice can defy a huge weight in the Greatwood Hurdle. The three-day Paddy Power meeting wraps up with a six-race card packed with unexposed runners and tricky handicaps.
With handicap debuts, returning festival heroes, and horses prepping for spring campaigns, Sunday racing offers plenty of clues for the jumps season. Here is a breakdown of the four best bets across the afternoon.
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Henderson leads our Cheltenham tips with Crystal Island
Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard saddles Crystal Island in the 13.25 handicap hurdle. The six-year-old enters handicap company off an opening mark of 133 after winning both of his rules starts.
Crystal Island won an Irish point on debut before taking a maiden hurdle at Ascot over two miles, five and a half furlongs on soft ground. He beat the capable Off The Jury by four lengths that afternoon. He followed that up by defying a penalty over two miles and four furlongs at Ffos Las on good to soft going.
Henderson admitted after that win that the horse might need chasing soon, though he questioned whether he had the seasoning for it yet. But Henderson also revealed he expects the gelding to outgrow handicaps entirely. That suggests 133 could prove very workable, even with Four Springs receiving weight as a main danger. Crystal Island stands out as one of the sharpest Cheltenham tips on the card at 3/1.
Authoceltic brings each-way value in our Cheltenham tips
The 14.00 handicap chase presents a competitive field where market leader Highland Legacy brings tested consistency. Dan Skelton’s Shakeyatailfeather also has room to improve off 123, while Putapoundinthejar and Larzac make their chase handicap debuts.
Jane Williams runs Authoceltic, who offers strong each-way appeal at 8/1. The Williams yard is in good form, and this six-year-old thrives on decent ground over two miles.
Authoceltic has won once from five chase starts, but he hit the frame in three of the other four. He ran second by two lengths to a Skelton favourite at Worcester after a layoff, showing plenty of fight. He carries a 2lb higher mark now, but that run should blow away the cobwebs.
Stamina makes Ask Brewster a Cheltenham tips contender
The 14.35 handicap chase features bet365 Gold Cup winner Havaila, but his record when returning fresh is a clear worry. King Of Answers travels down from the far north, but he must bounce back from a flat showing at Perth.
Ask Brewster looks a much safer each-way proposition at 6/1 for trainer Cath Williams. He struggled behind Havaila at Sandown in April when backed down to 11/2, yet that race came at the end of a gruelling campaign. Rival runners pestered him for the lead from the start, which emptied his tank early.
Before that run, Ask Brewster proved his grit by winning the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir over three miles, two and a half furlongs at this track on good ground. The handicapper raised him 7lb for that Cheltenham Festival success. He powered up the famous hill that day, so the extended trip on Sunday suits him well.
Why Idaho Sun tops Greatwood Cheltenham tips
The featured Greatwood Hurdle at 15.10 presents an exceptional puzzle. Skelton sends out Let It Rain off 130 along with third favourite Harry Lowes, while Pioneer Pete chases a four-timer and 2022 winner Burdett Road returns.
Yet Idaho Sun looks primed to strike for trainer Harry Fry at 9/2. Only one favourite, Alexei, has won the Greatwood Hurdle in the last decade, making market leaders a risky proposition here.
Idaho Sun brings unique credentials as a Grade 1 winner making his handicap debut off 142. He sits at 20/1 for the Champion Hurdle, but that price will vanish if he handles this field just 2lb off topweight. Fry has his horses in prime order, and Idaho Sun has the class to brush past this handicap ceiling.
The six-race card gets underway at 13.25 on Sunday, with Idaho Sun rounding off the action in the Greatwood Hurdle at 15.10.
Source: Independent Sport
