Cheltenham Tips: Friday’s flutters features 33/1 shot

Cheltenham's two-day Christmas Meeting gets underway on Friday with a competitive seven-race offering that begins at 12:10 and concludes shortly after 15:35.

I've studied the card and highlighted a few Cheltenham tips - including a 33/1 each-way shot in the Cross Country.

12:10 - Wingmen @ 9/4

Just four go to post for the opener - a novices' hurdle over 2m1f - and Nicky Henderson's That's Nice is a warm order at time of publication.

She was impressive on her rules debut at Warwick last month, beating subsequent Listed winner Honky Tonk Highway, but that was a mares' contest over two furlongs further and she looked pretty green to me.  This is a fair step up in class at this early stage of her career.

Gordon Elliott brings WINGMEN over from Ireland to take her on, and he's the bet for me.

Many were surprised to see the six-year-old son of Kayf Tara dropping back in trip, having won his maiden hurdle over 2m4f at Navan, but I must admit it's no surprise to me. He's a classy individual who was able to win a couple of bumpers over the minimum trip - including one on yielding ground round Punchestown.

Elliott holds this Bective Stud-owned gelding in high regard and I'd take this engagement as a sign he's showing plenty at home. Reading between the lines, I wonder if they're testing his Supreme credentials after Romeo Coolio disappointed at Fairyhouse earlier this month? Just a thought.

His jumping needs to improve, for that was a negative taken from his appearance in County Meath, but there's every reason to believe it will. He's got time on his side.

I expect Sam Ewing to jump off in front on Wingmen and try to make all, bringing his proven stamina into play at the business end. Hopefully he never sees another rival.

13:15 - Tintintin @ 17/2

Just over an hour later is a 0-140 handicap hurdle over the same trip which can go to TINTINTIN for Fergal O'Brien.

I have serious doubts about the two currently atop the market. Valgrand had a tough race in a Grade 2 over 2m5f here at the November Meeting and his mark of 139 looks inflated and then some. I find him very hard to advise on handicap debut.

Willmount could easily be better his mark of 130, but he was woeful in the Challow Hurdle just before the turn of the year and hasn't been seen since which makes him difficult to trust. I'm happy to let him win at the prices.

The selection, meanwhile, returns to Prestbury Park off the back of a career-best effort in the Greatwood Hurdle, finishing seven lengths behind the winner in fourth, and races off an unchanged mark of 126.

He seems to enjoy running round Cheltenham, having won here in April off a mark of 122, and I expect another bold bid in what rates an easier assignment than the Greatwood as far as I'm concerned.

15:00 - Statuario each-way @ 33/1

Finally, a chance is taken on STATUARIO at a big price in the Cross Country Handicap Chase over an extended 3m5f.

I'm not the biggest fan of these races, I must confess, but I think Peter & Michael Bowen's nine-year-old is being overlooked in the market at time of publication and he'll be seeing some of my money.

He's been a real late bloomer for the Bowens, coming off the back of the best season of his career by far to run a blinder on his first attempt at this course and distance at the November Meeting.

He finished fourth of nine, beaten just over 12 lengths by exciting French raider Sweet David, despite running seven pounds out of the handicap.

With that experience under his belt, back off his mark of 133 - five pounds better off with 11/2 third-favourite Mister Coffey for a six-length margin - he must have a much better chance than his generous odds suggest.

This is an Extra Place Race, with Betfred paying 5 places instead of 4 at 1/5 the odds for all each-way bets.

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