Daily Star racing skilled’s Friday ideas after tipping two extra Cheltenham winners

Daily Star Sport’s racing expert Jason Heavey returns with his tips for the final day of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday after tipping two wins on Thursday

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Thursday saw the Daily Star Sport’s expert racing tipster Jason Heavey tip two more winners on day three, and he’s back to bash the bookies again on Friday.

Day three saw 9/1 shot Meetmebythesea win the Novices’ Handicap Chase before Wodhooh vindicated her favourite tag to win the Mares’ Hurdle. While Jason also had each-way wins with Jonbon and Kim Roque.

The final day of the Festival sees the showcase race, the Gold Cup, pit the best of Britain and Ireland head-to-head with The Jukebox Man, Gaelic Warrior, Haiti Couleurs and Jango Baie fronting the market.

1.20 JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE

SELMA DE VARY is one of nine runners for Willie Mullins and it is tricky enough working out which is his best.

But this mare – bought by Rich Ricci from France – gets the nod on the strength of her Irish debut when she chased home stablemate Narciso Has who was ante-post favourite for this before being ruled out.

Selma De Vary – a winner at Auteuil in November before being purchased – produced some great leaps in that Leopardstown race and should improve for the run. With her 7lb sex allowance, I fancy her to be in the thick of it. Mullins won this with a 100-1 shot last year so none of his raiders can be rejected. Proactif is at the head of the market and is unbeaten while Macho Man has attracted solid support. Mon Creuset was singled out by Mullins as a dark horse.

I like Gordon Elliott’s HIGHLAND CRYSTAL (10-1) to pinch a place. She is unbeaten and her defeat of Saratoga – a winner on Tuesday – while giving 7lb is strong form.

TIP: SELMA DE VARY

Each-way: Highland Crystal

2.00 WILLIAM HILL COUNTY HURDLE

MURCIA stands out in another mind-bogglingly difficult handicap and can continue Willie Mullins’ excellent week. The five-year-old was eighth in the Fred Winter last year before winning a Grade One at the Aintree Festival.

Racing in the same Kenny Alexander colours as Kargese, who won this race in 2025, the mare can defy stablemate Karbau. He is ridden by Paul Townend and was down the field in the 2025 Supreme but has plenty of untapped potential.

He won a Grade Three at Naas in January which was a good prep. Jubilee Alpha has been popular and the pace of the race should suit back over two miles as her stamina has been stretched over 2m4f. Sinnatra is an improving novice with a likeable profile and is among countless other contenders including Wilful and and the well backed Hello Neighbour.

SIXANDAHALF was backed off the boards to win last year’s Mares’ Novices Hurdle but found one too good. She is better than her 139 rating, so 14-1 is worth an each-way interest.

TIP: MURCIA

Each-way: Sixandahalf

2.40 MRS PADDY POWER MARES’ CHASE

Punters should keep calm and back PANIC ATTACK. Dan Skelton’s mare is having a stellar season with victories in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Cup at Newbury.

She had a lovely prep race when winning at Newbury in January and the overnight rain should give her the bit of dig in the surface that will help her cause. Panic Attack, a 9-2 shot, can wrestle the crown from last year’s winner Dinoblue.

She is admirably tough and consistent and will take some beating. Her stablemate Spindleberry was pitched into the Irish Gold Cup last time and was found out but she is very good in her own company and has been a bit of a winning machine. She is in the mix along with Gavin Cromwell’s Only By Night who was second in the Arkle 12 months ago to Jango Baie.

Diva Luna is a novice with just two runs over fences – both Listed chase successes – and she is a strong each-way play at 9-1.

TIP: PANIC ATTACK

Each-way: Diva Luna

3.20 ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE

It’s better THEDEVILUNO for punters in another big field which could be a rough race. It is all about stamina and the selection proved he stays very well when he ran out a smooth winner of the River Don Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster in February.

He travelled like a dream and was given a patient ride by Sean O’Keeffe and expect the same today. If he can avoid trouble in running he can pick his way through the field and out-stay them all.

Thedeviluno was beaten by today’s market leader Doctor Steinberg at Navan over 2m4f and has a bit to find on the formbook. Doctor Steinberg has since won well over 2m6f at Leopardstown and deserves to be favourite but he is unproven at today’s trip and can race freely.

The Passing Wife has been well backed all week after being aimed at this race instead of one of the handicaps. I like Mondoui’boy (12-1) as an each-way play. Ben Pauling usually keeps a good one for this and this fellow won really well at Ascot.

TIP: THEDEVILUNO

Each-way: Mondoui’boy

4.00 BOODLES CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP

THE JUKEBOX MAN can call the tune for Harry Redknapp in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. The chaser is unbeaten over fences and his dramatic success in the King George VI Chase marked him out as an outstanding horse.

In an open renewal of jump racing’s blue riband, the eight-year-old has been primed for this day by trainer Ben Pauling. He is a brilliant jumper, will stay the trip and has the class needed to win the cherished prize.

Stamina is key and Haiti Couleurs and last year’s winner Inothewayurthinking are guaranteed to get the trip and are fancied to fill the places. Gaelic Warrior and Jango Baie are other major players although they both have stamina doubts.

TIP: THE JUKEBOX MAN

Each-way: Haiti Couleurs

4.40 PRINCESS ROYAL CHALLENGE CUP HUNTERS CHASE

PANDA BOY gets the vote in a wide open renewal. The 10-year-old looks tailor-made for this race which is run over the Gold Cup trip.

Martin Brassil’s lad is a strong stayer – he was among the favourites for the Grand National in 2024 when he never travelled. He has been sweetened up this season by switching to hunter chases and he looked to enjoy himself when winning at Thurles and Naas.

On official ratings he is the best horse in the race (along with Barton Snow) and given plenty of luck in running he has a serious chance – especially if the overnight rain gets into the ground.

It’s On The Line has been second in the past three renewals of this race and deserves to win one. Last year he was chinned by Wonderwall, who also lines up again under Rob James.

Paul Nicholls’ GOLDEN SON (16-1) has dotted up in two hunter chases and arrives in good form with his daughter Olive in the plate she has place claims.

TIP: PANDA BOY

Each-way: Golden Son

5.20 MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS HANDICAP HURDLE

ACT OF AUTHORITY can take command and help punters save their bacon in the finale. Olly Murphy’s eight-year-old was an excellent second in this race 12 months ago behind Wodhooh when he was given a decent ride by Lewis Saunders.

The jockey is back on board again, knows him well and the horse only has 1lb more to carry. His 16-1 price is very generous. East India Express also ran well in this contest in 2025 (seventh) but will not be helped by any rain while Nurse Susan has enjoyed a strong campaign. The Irish are predictably strong and this race can often throw up a future star.

Willie Mullins has five in it with Roc Dino and Jump Allen standing out while Kel Histoire has been well punted.

AIR OF ENTITLEMENT won the Mares’ Novices Hurdle last year where her stamina came into play over two miles up the famous hill. She is back and carries stable confidence despite not running since December. I fancy her to place at around the 9-1 mark.

TIP: ACT OF AUTHORITY

Each-way: Air Of Entitlement