Cheltenham Festival tips: one key runner from each ITV race on Friday

ITV will broadcast five live races from the Cheltenham Festival on Friday. The action on the final day features some high-class names, most notably A Plus Tard, Minella Indo and Galvin in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. We've got you covered for the day's terrestrial TV coverage.

Cheltenham Festival Friday: ITV Racing tips

Our Spotlight experts select their best bets for the final day of the Cheltenham Festival

1.30 Cheltenham
JCB Triumph Hurdle, 2m1f, Grade 1

The Irish might be home and hosed in this, but picking which raider could prove tricky. Gordon Elliott's pair Fil Dor and Pied Piper have rock-solid claims, but the vibes about Vauban suggest he could be something special.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: DOCTOR PARNASSUS

Far better race today but looks highly promising after charging clear at Ascot and Taunton

Paul Kealy's banker at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday

2.10 Cheltenham
McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle, 2m1f, Grade 3

Colonel Mustard has mixed it with some smart novices this season and may have something in hand against more experienced – and perhaps exposed – handicappers, although he will need an element of luck.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: SUPRISE PACKAGE

Found a jolt of improvement when bounding clear in Imperial Cup; carries a 5lb penalty

The Punt Daily: Robbie Wilders' two each-way plays at Cheltenham

2.50 Cheltenham
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, 3m, Grade 1

Victory for Hillcrest would be a fitting tribute to late owner Trevor Hemmings, who died in October, and it is not a fanciful thought given the way the giant future chaser has gone about his business during the campaign.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: HILLCREST

Unbeaten in his completed hurdle races; has all the attributes needed for this

Expert picks: why this horse can win the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup

3.30 Cheltenham
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, 3m2½f, Grade 1

Just because the Gold Cup looks open, it does not mean it is a bad edition and drying ground could assist A Plus Tard, who looked a flying machine in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: GALVIN

Stout stayer; keeps improving; indomitable effort took him past A Plus Tard last time

St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase, 3m2½f

Connections of Billaway will be hoping it is third-time lucky for the ten-year-old, who was beaten ten lengths into second in this race in 2020, but came within a short head of winning last year.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: BOB AND CO

Warm-up defeat excusable; going really well when unseating in this 12 months ago

Best ITV Racing free bets

Sign up to William Hill here and get a Racing Post exclusive price of 70-1 on A Plus Tard to win the Gold Cup. New customers using EPA70. Applies to bets placed from 09:00 9th March 2022 until 15:30 18th March 2022. Max £1 bet at 70-1. Returns paid as 3 x £20 & 1 x £10 free bets (30-day expiry). Player and currency restrictions and terms apply. 18+. Begambleaware.org. Sign up here.

2022 Cheltenham Festival offers

• Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new customers and existing customers and all you need is an account. Sign up here
• Sky Bet have got a selection of offers for new customers. Choose yours when you sign up here. They've also got an offer on every race of the festival
• Betfair have lots of offers, extra places and money back offers for the festival. Sign up for a new account here
• To get a free bet from Ladbrokes today sign up to a new account here
• Don't have a Coral account? They have an offer for new customers here
• bet365 have a new customer offer available. Sign up here
• New William Hill customers can claim free bets here as well as benefit from their money back offers here
• 888 Sport have free bets for all new customers. Sign up here
• If you're a new customer, Tote are offering you a free bet. Sign up here to claim. They're also offering a free Placepot bet each day of the festival

ITV7 tips and predictions

The ITV7 competition is back and is completely free to play, with £500,000 up for grabs. Users will need a Sky Bet account to enter, so if you don't already have an account sign up using this link and take advantage of the free bet offer.

Race 1, 1.30 Cheltenham: DOCTOR PARNASSUS
Race 2, 2.00 Doncaster: DOUGLAS TALKING
Race 3, 2.10 Cheltenham: SUPRISE PRACKAGE
Race 4, 2.50 Cheltenham: HILLCREST
Race 5, 3.05 Fakenham: HIWAY ONE O THREE
Race 6, 3.30 Cheltenham: GALVIN
Race 7, 4.10 Cheltenham: BOB AND CO

Friday's Cheltenham Festival previews:

1.30 Cheltenham: who will come out on top between star juveniles Pied Piper and Vauban?

2.10 Cheltenham: 'He's got a big chance' - who fancies their chances in a red-hot County Hurdle?

2.50 Cheltenham: 'He's got the class and the form' - leading Albert Bartlett quotes and insight

4.10 Cheltenham: which trainer is taking the best horse he's ever brought to Cheltenham?

4.50 Cheltenham: Willie Mullins once again has good reason to be hopeful about the mares' chase

5.30 Cheltenham: 'He'll run a huge race' - is there a dark horse lurking in the Martin Pipe?

Get £40 in free bets from Paddy Power when you bet £10 on racing. Place a £10 Sportsbook bet on any horseracing market between 15th-17th March, at minimum odds 1/2 (1.5), and get £40 in free bets, valid for 30 days. Your qualifying bet must settle before 23:59 March 17th. Only deposits using cards will qualify. T&Cs apply.