Cheltenham Friday preview

The Gold Cup takes centre stage on Friday's Cheltenham card, with the blue ribbon event due off at 3.20pm.

JCB Triumph Hurdle (Juvenile Grade 1)

OUR CONOR is unbeaten in three hurdle runs (defeating both Stocktons Wing and Diakali in the process) and looked really professional winning his Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month. Plenty looks in his favour (he appears the clear pick of the Irish horses) and he has every chance of proving too strong for the British challenge. Rolling Star looks an obvious danger having won a Grade 2 on his British debut 48 days ago. Prior to that hurdle win, he was a winner over hurdles at Auteuil and he looks one to figure prominently. Far West was beaten on his only French hurdle run but could do no more than win all his British hurdle starts (holds Vasco Du Ronceray). However his latest victim (River Maigue) was well held in Tuesday's Supreme Novices Hurdle and that is a slight concern. Hidden Justice was limited on the Flat but is a better hurdler and can place.

Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

This is fiercely competitive with COTTON MILL one with obvious claims. He was at the business end when jinking and unseating rider in the Albert Bartlett last year (behind winner Simonsig) and was a high class novice. He was no match, despite receiving 7lbs, for My Tent Or Yours (second in the Supreme Novices Hurdle on Tuesday) latest but a reproduction of that effort should see him bang in contention here. There is a strong Irish presence in the race with Tennis Cap, who has improved dramatically this season, in with a shout along with Boylesports Hurdle runners Discoteca (second then, now to be partnered by a good claimer), Ted Veale (third) and Il Fenomeno (fifth under a terribly ill-judged ride). Midnight Game has been in good form this season but has plenty of weight while Ifandbutwhynot is one to consider having bounced back from his Sandown defeat with a win at Musselburgh latest.

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

AT FISHERS CROSS will be hugely popular here having defeated Wednesday's Neptune Hurdle winner The New One last time out. He is a dual course winner (once over this distance) and is in excellent form coming into this. Ballycasey is something of an unknown as he takes a big step up in grade. He did win impressively at Thurles latest and while this is a different league, he must be strongly respected coming from Willie Mullins' in form yard. African Gold, having been beaten by Ballybough Pat on his hurdle debut last October, has improved this season and while he may need to improve further to win, has claims. The form of Utopie Des Bordes's win at Sandown last month hasn't really worked out but she has sound place claims. Our Vinnie (behind Ballycasey in a bumper) and the much improved Inish Island are staying types and may lack a gear to win.

Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

Bog Warrior is set to run in Thursday's World Hurdle so may be doubtful. Without him, SILINIACO CONTI is the only non course winner in the race (defeated on his only start here) but may still take beating. He is held by Bobs Worth (when both were beaten at Ascot last February) on novice form but seems to have improved this season and now holds the highest handicap rating in the race. Reproductions of his defeats of both Long Run and The Giant Bolster this season would give him every chance. Bobs Worth was a good winner of the Hennessy but did receive 6lbs from runner-up Tidal Bay. However he is a dual Festival winner and, having been put away for this race, comes here fresh. Sir Des Champs has plenty to find on ratings but is another dual Festival winner whose defeat to Tidal Bay (by just less than one length) in the Lexus Chase can be put down to a bad mistake at the tenth. He and his trainer are hitting form at the right time however and he should be staying on in the closing stages. Former Gold Cup winner Long Run is still just eight and although he should have won the King George a little easier (over Captain Chris) only for a final fence mistake, he has failed to stand out properly in recent times. There is a possibility that he has regressed since winning his Gold Cup but he does possess a lot of his old sparkle but is nonetheless held by SILINIACO CONTI in the Betfair Chase last November. The first four in the betting look the ones to concentrate on with Captain Chris, Cape Tribulation and The Giant Bolster (second in this race last year) each looking vulnerable on form while the remainder should struggle.

CGA Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup

SALSIFY, under his dual Foxhunters winning jockey Colman Sweeney, can reproduce last year's win in this race having returned to top form recently. He does need better ground to produce his best form though and the ground, while drying somewhat, will be a little more testing that last year. However, his win over Tammy Hill latest, having been beaten twice by that rival earlier in the season, shows that he is near top form again. Chapoturgeon was second to Salsify in last year's renewal and could do no more than win well on his comeback run in January. He looks to have every chance again here. Backstage has won 14 of his 16 point-to-points and is currently invincible in that sphere having won his last nine, but has been found wanting on his forays into big handicap chases. Cottage Oak himself found things tough in lesser handicap chases before winning his two hunter chases this term and has place claims. Tricky Trickster won the 2009 Four Mile Chase and finished ninth in the 2010 Gold Cup but was beaten at Ffos Las last month.

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

TONER D'OUDAIRIES was second in this race last year and has sound claims from a mark just 2lbs higher. He will have been aimed at this race all season and is fit, and well, from chasing. Dangers are numerous with outsiders more than capable of popping up. Edeymi was second in the Fred Winter last year and while he would prefer faster ground, has claims for his shrewd trainer who puts up a relatively inexperienced but 8lbs claiming rider. Gevrey Chambertin bolted up at Wincanton latest but has been heavily penalised (15lbs) while Salubrious has been raised 8lbs for his Musselburgh win but cannot be dismissed. Black Benny is ridden by a good claimer and is one which could surprise at a price having hinted at having ability on a few occasions.

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup (Grade 3 Handicap)

ALDERWOOD is the logical choice in another wide open handicap. He won last year's County Hurdle and running from a chase rating just 1lb above that winning hurdle mark, has claims under Tony McCoy. Plenty others come into the race in top form though with Ulck Du Lin, Roy and Viva Colonia each chasing hat-tricks. French Opera appears to have plenty weight while tail-swishing His Excellency ran a cracker in Tuesday's Arkle and can place. Drumshambo and Marshal Zhukov have been running consistently well this season. Benefficient won yesterday's Jewson Chase and looks a doubtful runner.