Friday Racing Tips: Timeform's three to back at Cheltenham includes Horse In Focus at 7/1

13:45 Cheltenham - Derryhassen Paddy still has plenty of potential

3

Derryhassen Paddy (Ire)

• J: Non Runner
• T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore
• F: 113/2-3

• SBK 15/8
• EXC 3.2

Derryhassen Paddy has only been seen out twice in the last 18 months or so but his third place, when beaten for the first time in the Albert Bartlett at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, looks a significant piece of form.

He looked very much the type to do better over fences but didn't jump well on his chasing debut at Ayr just over a year ago before missing the rest of the season with a stress fracture.

However, there was more encouragement from his staying-on third to Butch Cassidy over course and distance last month and he could improve plenty from that comeback run if more positive tactics are applied.

14:55 Cheltenham - Bold bid expected from Triple Trade

7

Triple Trade

• J: Harry Cobden
• T: Joe Tizzard
• F: 13134U6-1

• SBK 3/1
• EXC 4.5

There are plenty of familiar names in the veterans' handicap chase and the one who looks the most solid option is Triple Trade who goes well at Cheltenham and represents Joe Tizzard's in-form stable.

Triple Trade won the two-mile handicap chase at this meeting last year as well as a veterans' handicap at Sandown in January and he ran well when dead-heating for third in a premier handicap here on Trials Day.

He showed he has returned in good form when getting up late to beat Tommy's Oscar a neck in another veterans' event at Market Rasen last month and he heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings here.

16:00 Cheltenham - Way of Stars has plenty in his favour

6

Way Of Stars (Ire)

• J: Jack Tudor
• T: David Pipe
• F: 3210-2

• SBK 5/1
• EXC 8.2

There's a big field for the final race on Cheltenham's card, but Way of Stars is the Timeform top-rated and looks to have plenty in his favour as his trainer David Pipe is renowned for targeting this meeting.

Way of Stars was useful on the Flat for Andrew Balding and has taken well to hurdles, getting off the mark when beating mostly older rivals in a maiden at Taunton last March, but didn't do himself justice next time.

However, he shaped well on his return in a four-year-olds' handicap at Chepstow, earning the 'Horse In Focus' flag after being beaten a short head by Treasure Planet, and he can gain compensation here.

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