Cheltenham afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Friday, October 27

We start off with some details on our selected horses at Cheltenham, and there's a full list of our tips at the bottom of the page.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

13:35 (Cheltenham) Black Poppy

Black Poppy makes his seasonal reappearance, bringing some top-class handicap hurdle form from last campaign.

The seven-year-old remains on a winnable mark and will go well in the opener.

Teddy Blue closed off previous preparation with a good second behind the main selection in a Newbury handicap hurdle and is a threat.

Afadil steps up in class on return. Finished off last season with a 2L success at Ayr in a handicap hurdle and will be in the mix.

 

15:20 (Cheltenham) Way Out

Way Out is on a winning roll and can make a seamless switch to fences in the 2023 Thoroughbred Census Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Twice victorious over hurdles in May, Syd Hosie gave him a near four-month break before returning him to action at Newton Abbot last month, where he successfully defied a double penalty in style.

Way Out now moves to the bigger obstacles and having won in point-to-point company, fences should hold few fears.

 

15:55 (Cheltenham) Act of Authority

 

Olly Murphy’s Act Of Authority lines up in the feature event of the day, the Grade Two Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle, having made a perfect start over obstacles at Bangor earlier in the month.

A point-to-point winner in March 2022, he subsequently changed hands for £200,000 and finished second in each of two bumper starts last term.

Act Of Authority built on that experience when making his seasonal bow at Bangor, overcoming a couple of sticky leaps to triumph by a cosy 14 lengths.

There is obviously room for improvement on the jumping front and the five-year-old could be a classy addition to the hurdle ranks.

 

17:05 (Cheltenham) Bucko's Boy

Bucko's Boy completed a double the start of the campaign and was not disgraced when runner-up at Kelso in a higher graded handicap hurdle, so holds strong claims.

Serious Operator has not been seen since a success in a Class 2 Ayr handicap hurdle during April. Could prove competitive with conditional offering welcome weight relief.

Soul Icon and Angels Breath could be battling for a place.

 

Cheltenham selections in full:

CHELTENHAM: 1.35 Black Poppy, 2.10 Jetronic, 2.45 El Elefante, 3.20 Way Out, 3.55 Act Of Authority, 4.30 Tim Pat, 5.05 Bucko's Boy.