13:20 Cheltenham Tips: Friday’s Triumph could provide a shock or two

Four-year-old juvenile hurdlers open Day 4 of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday, in the race that's produced some terrific champions in the past (among them Tiger Roll, Persian War, Kribensis, and Lossiemouth). It's the G1 Triumph Hurdle.

2m 1f, eight flights of hurdles, and we've 18 slated to face the starter. The two at the head of the market (East India Dock and Lulamba) are a bit skinny for me at around 9/4 in such a competitive contest, so I'm looking around for three with what I hope are viable each-way prospects. Here we go then with our Triumph Hurdle tips - with the big race commencing at 13:20.

Triumph Hurdle Odds

Cheltenham Betting Odds

Hello Neighbour each-way @ 5/1

Lots to like about the way this one travelled and prevailed with a hint of comfort at Leopardstown 41 days ago, taking a G1 to follow a G2 success at the same venue on Boxing Day.

Gavin Cromwell, a yard on many a lip and betting slip this week, trains this one in County Meath, and Keith Donoghue has the riding assignment - so masterful when guiding Stumptown to an eventually emphatic success in the Cross Country on Wednesday.

Hello Neighbour had a couple of spins on the flat in the autumn and was rather impressive, taking both at Navan and then Roscommon (1m 6f, and 1m 2.5f). The Harzand gelding was promptly aimed at the winter game and has made quite the splash.

I fancy this progressive youngster out of a Montjeu mare strongly, and can readily see him winning - any amount of improvement could be to come - but we've got the insurance of an each-way play and as we're offering four places, it's the smart option in my book.

Lady Vega Allen each-way @ 11/1

This one was third, only beaten just over a length, in the G1 alluded to just now featuring the winner Hello Neighbour, and though I don't expect Willie Mullins' charge to reverse the form it's certainly a powerful advertisement for the French-bred filly's chances.

She joined Willie from France in December and in fact has twice had cause to curse Mr Cromwell's charge as she was foiled by him on debut, too. The margins have been slim though and on a different track, from this particular yard and in a Championship race you just couldn't rule her out of the picture.

Gets a very handy 7lb fairer sex allowance, and the stable's number one pilot P Townend is on board.

Gibbs Island each-way @ 14/1

A home defender now - a very promising gelding by Iffraaj, who was winning a Wokingham 20 years ago and who I saw take a York G2 under Frankie in 2006. Racing's circle of life.

His son has become a smashing, progressive hurdler; unbeaten in two spins at Sedgefield and Haydock, after shipping in to Tom Lacey's from Andy Oliver's County Tyrone yard in December.

Jockey Stan Sheppard maintains the partnership and Gibbs Island has the benefit of lots of competitive experience after taking in 16 contests on the level. He was particularly impressive in the north-west when last seen and that race, the Victor Ludorum, has been the stepping-stone to many a Triumph tilt down the years.

Great value in my book, and a live one.

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Cheltenham Tips from Betfred Insights.