Cheltenham Tips: Frank Hickey's best Cheltenham bets for Friday

Astigar is looking to give trainer David Pipe his fourth win in the last decade in this race. Astigars best two runs were first time out in a bumper and then after an absence of 66 days. The Pipe yard is in good form with seven winners from 27 runners for a 26 per cent strike rate.

Grey Diamond is a two-mile chase favourite at Cheltenham. Sam Thomas has had three big handicap winners this season. Unanswered Prayers ran a nice comeback race under a 7lb claimer when fifth in the Silver Trophy behind Knappers Hill at Chepstow last month. Frank Hickey's best bets for Friday are: Entered Paddy's Free Pick 5 Game, Daily Prize at Cheltenheim and Un answered Prayer.

Magic Dancer, Collector's Item and Hermes Allen are the favourites for the Veteran's Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. The Irish challenge from Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott is strong. Paul Nicholls runs an expensive recruit HermesAllen. The horse won over two miles in a hurdles race at Chepstow last time.

Explosive Boy could win the race this season. Hey Johnny is an unexposed five-year-old hurdler who went up 10lbs for his Clonmel win. Mothill has had the form of his Chepstow win boosted by the fifth-placed Impulsive One winning on Tuesday.