Cheltenham Festival 2023: Grand Annual tips - Andy Dufresne looking for redemption
Cheltenham Festival
The Grand Annual Handicap Chase (1650) invariably throws up an open contest at the Cheltenham Festival, which has led one of Tipstrr's team of racing pundits to narrow the 19-strong field down for us.
With the exception of his last race at Leopardstown at the end of December, Midnight Run had strung some impressive results together, with five top-three finishes culminating in his victory over two miles at Punchestown in November.
Another to catch the eye in this race is Before Midnight, who enjoyed his best form at the end of 2021 with two consecutive wins in Class 2 outings at Ascot and Cheltenham.
His more recent form has failed to reach that level, but the undulating Cheltenham track should suit, as indeed it did when he won on his only previous visit to Prestbury Park.
Andy Dufresne will line up as one of the favourites after finishing runner-up off the same mark in the same race 12 months ago, when only Global Citizen stood between this nine year-old and Festival glory in much heavier conditions than this year.
Although disappointing on his last couple of outings, trainer Gordon Elliott probably used them as stepping stones for today's main event, and it will be no surprise to see him contesting the lead again up the home straight.
