Cheltenham Festival trends selections for Friday

Click here for the key stats for all seven races on Gold Cup Friday

JCB Triumph Hurdle

Only one winner had been beaten more than once over hurdles and applying that stat strictly leaves only a handful to consider with Defi Du Seuil and Charli Parcs standing out on form; preference is for the latter whose yard has such a good record in this race.

Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle

Five and six year-olds have won all bar two renewals and no winner has been rated higher than 139. It's probably allowing a few pounds leeway and giving the nod to Mick Jazz whose form was franked in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and who has long looked the ideal type for this race.

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

Death Duty would be a rare winner having already won a Grade One but winning form over three miles is not a prerequisite. He has a big reputation and is clearly the one to beat but it may be worth opposing him with Wholestone who should relish the step back up to three miles and who has picked up plenty of experience along the way.

The Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup

Eight and nine year-olds have the best record and Grade One winning form is essential. Outlander ticks both of those boxes and is preferred to Djakadam having  won last time out despite having been busier this season than a typical winner. 

St. James's Place Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup

On The Fringe would become the oldest winner but the same was true last year and his powers have shown no signs of waning. Wonderful Charm is a classy rival  while Ask The Weatherman brings a big reputation from the point-to-point field and impressed at Wincanton but the elder statesman can hold sway.

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle Race

No shortage of likely looking candidates with Gordon Elliott's runners accorded plenty of respect due to his desire to win this race, named after his mentor. Runfordave looks a leading player but it's been worth taking a chance on those at longer odds in the past and his Champagne Classic is preferred as this often goes to a stout stayer.

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup

Cheltenham Festival form, being relatively lightly raced and a top six finish last time out are three of the stronger statistics to bring to the table. Velvet Maker and Dandridge tick those three boxes and are sure to be popular but novices are to be respected too and Theinval looks a live player with the addition of cheekpieces.