This year’s Cheltenham Festival may have been and gone, but some of us are still in the racing mood with the Grand National coming up in just a few weeks.
During the big races, our ambassador and Champion Jockey Brian Hughes gave us his insight and tips, as well as our expert writer Enda McElhinney.
How did they both get on with their predictions and tips?
Brian Hughes
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase – Sky Pirate (14/1)
The biggest success story from Brian’s tips was for Sky Pirate to win the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase and Nick Scholfield ran a blinder.
Coming into the race, Sky Pirate was 14/1 and plenty of other horses were expected to win, including Embittered who was a faller.
2nd favourite Entoucas was closing in, but Sky Pirate managed to hold on and win by a shoulder.
Plate Handicap Chase – The Shunter (4/1)
Another horse that Brian picked to win was The Shunter, who came through as a 4/1 winner in the Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase.
Emmet Mullin’s horse was a narrow favourite over Farclas going into the race, who he comfortably beat by 3 lengths in the end.
The Shunter travelled well and looked strong throughout the race, and Brian backed a worthy winner.
Enda McElhinney
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase – Sky Pirate (14/1)
As with Brian Hughes, our expert writer Enda also went for Sky Pirate and the gamble paid off.
Enda noted Sky Pirate’s excellent recent form, including beating two of his key rivals Ibleo and Amoola Gold.
It was a very solid race all-round for MansionBet’s tipsters.
National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup – Galvin (7/2)
Day One of Cheltenham Festival ended with a superb race, with Galvin, Next Destination and the favourite Escaria Ten battling it out over the final hurdle.
Galvin ran strongly off the last jump, took the inside line to narrowly take the win, with the favourite just a few lengths behind in third place.
Next Destination was most tipsters favourite to win, as he was on great form with wins at Newbury and Warwick, but it was noted how Galvin had long targeted winning this race.