Cheltenham Tips – Preview and Betting Tips for ALL 28 Cheltenham Festival Races

Looking for tips on every race of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival? We have combined the thoughts of our tipsters below to give you a tip for each race.

As we get ever closer to the final declarations and the fields for the Cheltenham Festival, most bookies are now non-runner no bet and the Cheltenham offers are starting to appear.

Get tips for all 28 Cheltenham races below and a reason for the selection from Adam, David, David and Andy.

DEPOSIT £10 GET £50 IN FREE BETS STRAIGHT AWAY! SBK promo code TAG50

 

Cheltenham Day 1 Tips

Race	Tip	ODDS
1.30pm - Supreme Novice Hurdle	Slade Steel (EW)	9/2
2.10pm - Arkle	Gaelic Warrior	7/2
2.50pm - Ultima Handicap	Chianti Classico (EW)	15/2
	Trelawne (EW)	15/2
3.30pm - Champion Hurdle	Iberico Lord W/O State Man AND Irish Point	15/8
4.10pm - Mares' Hurdle	Telmesomethinggirl WITHOUT Lossiemouth AND Ashroe Diamond (EW)	5/1
4.50pm - Boodles Fred Winter	Palamon (EW)	20/1
	Ose Partir (EW)	14/1
5.30pm - National Hunt Chase	Salvador Ziggy	11/2

 

2022 Supreme Novices Hurdle Betting Tip

I believe the race and indeed the market will revolve around the participation of the Mullins top 2. it looks more and more like Sir Gerhard is to be rerouted to the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle so Dysart Dynamo will represent the Mullins yard here, along with Kilcruit. Kilcruit is a horse coming into favour with a number of pundits and Patrick Mullins has said that that is the horse he’d like to ride in the race given the choice.

However, my selection for this race is going to be JONBON (if Sir Gerhard does not run). The Nicky Henderson yard form is a slight concern but Jonbon has done nothing wrong so far and his quick, low jumping is perfect for a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He’s gone on to win the Grade 2 Howden Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot and the Grade 2 Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle and better ground than hislast outing at Haydock puts him right in the mix.

JONBON to win the Supreme Novice Hurdle (if Sir Gerhard doesn’t run) –  Jonbon (4/1)

 

2022 Arkle Betting Tip

With no superstar in the race it is very wide open. My selection is the one on performances this year they have all to beat. The most solid horse in the field, albeit that I do expect the bookies to take him on for the very reason that the race is so wide open and also can see one of Willie’s being backed in as a potential massive improver. But my pick seems to be improving with every run, his form is very good. He has plenty of Cheltenham experience and although the stats are against him in the fact that 8-year-olds can’t win the Arkle (Sizing Europe and Moscow Flyer the last two to do so) and question whether he can win, good horses break the stats, and that good horse is Edwardstone and I think he will win the Arkle Challenge Trophy 2022.

EDWARDSTONE to win the Arkle – 2/1 with Paddy Power (NRNB).

 

Ultima Handicap Chase Tip

The score between Does He Know and Threeunderthrufive currently stands at 1-1, but a line through Doyen Breed, whom Does He Know beat most recently in the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot, suggests Kim Bailey’s 7-year-old may have the edge here. He appears versatile, going-wise, and won over course and distance in November, so has plenty going for him.

Selection: Does He Know (7/1 with bet365)

 

Champion Hurdle Tip

Maybe Honeysuckle just wins but I am going to take a Chance that TEAHUPOO (8/1 EW) is still improving and can announce himself on the big stage, while at a big price, particularly with extra places, keep an eye out on what is available on NOT SO SLEEPY (100/1 EW) to hit the extended frame. 

Watch: Honeysuckle wins the 2021 Champion Hurdle.

 

Mares Hurdle Tip

I think this is a better race than it’s being made out to be by certain areas of the racing world. 5 previous Festival winners could end up coming here and it’s 1 of them I go with in TELMESOMETHINGGIRL (11/4 with Betfred).  Everything this season has been aimed with this race in mind and I don’t believe her 2 runs this season have a huge bearing here. Even though this is quite a competitive field, she’s the right favourite based on her run over Christmas. Even though she was 3^rd to Royal Kahala & Heaven Help Us, she came out best at the weights (had to concede 5 & 8lb respectively).

Both of those horses are dangers to my selection and Royal Kahala has even franked her chances by winning the Galmoy hurdle and giving a beating to Klassical Dream in the process. As good as that form is though I think the Peter Fahey mare (who disappointed at Cheltenham last year) needs a 3m trip or really testing ground.

It looks like the king of mares races Willie Mullins will fire at least 3 or 4 bullets at this but none of his team really worry me at this stage. Echoes in Rain has disappointed, Stormy Ireland just falls below G1 level and Burning Victory’s jumping will let her down.

I would be more worried about a British runner in Marie’s Rock who looks to have turned a corner this season and impressed with a good turn of foot on more than one occasion at Kempton and Warwick. She is a lively outsider and is probably the best each-way value in the race now, however, I am confident TELMESOMETHINGGIRL is the one they all have to beat.

TELMESOMETHINGGIRL to win the Mares Hurdle – 11/4 with Betfred.

 

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Tip

Another tough handicap that has had big priced winners recently (80/1 winner in Jeff Kidder last year) and only 1 favourite (Band of Outlaws 7/2 2019) in the last 10 years.

The talking horse over the last month or so for a Cheltenham handicap has been GAELIC WARRIOR and he is the one I’m going to side with here. Ever since he was entered (not declared) in a race at Cheltenham on trials day and the English handicapper gave him a mark of 129, this has been the plan.

He is yet to run for the Ricci/Mullins connections and that is mainly down to what is thought of as a lenient handicap mark. He had his 3 runs in the spring/summer last year as a 3yo and although he hasn’t won, some of the form has stacked up.

Britzka and The Tide Turns have fair chances too and they would be the 2 I fear the most. Both trained by Gordon Elliott, they have both been campaigned with 1 eye on getting qualified and well handicapped for this race. To be honest I was surprised The Tide Turns only got given a 2lb rise from the British handicapper which makes him run off a rating of 137 which is fair. Whether he can give Gaelic Warrior 8lb though is another matter.

I believe his 129 rating will look silly come this race. The Mullins team think this horse is a graded animal and I’m convinced we are going to see this here. This could be the 1 and only time Gaelic Warrior runs in a handicap.

GAELIC WARRIOR to win the Boodles – 11/4 with Betfred.

 

National Hunt Chase Betting Tips

In the past few years the shape of this race has changed, it used to be a race of absolute attrition, one that only the hardiest of stayers would win and you needed a certain type to run in it, let alone win it.

This year’s field on paper looks to be one of the classiest lineups of the race. To mention a handful, Stattler, who based on his runs this season seems to have a turn of foot and stamina but could just lack the experience.

Threeunderthrufive who with the exception of his first run over fences has won and run to a very high quality albeit in small runner fields and last year’s Albert Bartlett winner Vanillier who although hasn’t really shone to the same heights over fences has the back class and festival form to perform to a high standard.

However, my pick RUN WILD FRED carries the similar sort of profile to last year’s winner Galvin. A highly tried, accurate jumper, second season novice. It took him 8 runs over fences to gain that first win, but the levels of his performances on ratings have gotten better with every run. Some solid performances in what is are some hot beginners chases last year and some very good handicaps. Last year’s main aim seemed to be the Irish National and he didn’t really disappoint in it either with a good second in the race and after that race, I reckon they pencilled this in for him.

This season his performances picked up from where he left off including a somewhat easy 7 ½ length victory in the Troy Town off 145 carrying 11st 6, where he pretty much made all and didn’t really put a foot wrong. With that win, he kind of ruled himself out of running in handicaps and he doesn’t really have the class or speed for a graded 3m race in which was shown at Christmas, losing out to his stablemate Fury Road (who is a big player in the Festival Novice Chase.)

Gigginstown aren’t particularly big fans of the race, with their last runner being Tiger Roll in 2017. But the noises and market moves show that him lining up in the race is very likely indeed. With the exception of the one bad mistake over Christmas, he jumps well You know he will have no problem staying, he has plenty of experience and in big runner fields too.

I think RUN WILD FRED will be extremely hard to beat when it comes to the nitty-gritty end and as shown he certainly isn’t one to shy away from a challenge.

Selection: Run Wild Fred (7/2 with bet365)

 

Cheltenham Day 2 Tips

Race	Tip	Odds
1.30pm - Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle	Predators Gold (ew)	10/1 Bet
2.10pm - Brown Advisory Novice Chase	Fact to File	10/11
2.50pm - Coral Cup	Guard Your Dreams (ew)	25/1
	Brazil (ew)	16/1
3.30pm - Queen Mother Champion Chase	El Fabiolo double with Ballyburn (1.30pm)	5/4
4.10pm - Cross Country Chase	Coko Beach	4/1
4.50pm - Grand Annual Chase	Liberty Hunter (ew)	13/2
5.30pm - Champion Bumper	C’est Ta Chance (ew)	16/1
	Cantico (ew)	12/1

 

Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Tip

Coming Soon.

 

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase Tips

Coming Soon.

 

Coral Cup Tip

The Coral Cup is always a tricky race to get a handle on and it has seen some big priced winners in recent years (including last year’s 33/1 winner Heaven Help Us). Only 1 favourite has won this (Dame De Compagnie 5/1 2020) in the last 10 years.

GOWEL ROAD was impressive when beating Unexpected Party at Cheltenham in November giving him 14lb. The latter is 2^nd favourite currently and is worse off at the weights now. My selection now only has to give Unexpected Party 3lbs.

He didn’t show much in the Gerry Fielding at Newbury the next time but that was at 2m which we know is an inadequate trip for him. He was 2^nd to Meltier last time out at Lingfield but again was over a trip too short. He has had a nice break now and should come here fresh

He disappointed in the County Hurdle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival but I’m happy to forgive that as that was over 2m and he was only a 5yo. I believe he has improved this year for the step up to 2 ½ miles. His win in November was on the old course which is the course the Coral Cup is run on and that’s a huge bonus. I believe this has been the target since his win here in November and at a general 14/1, he is overpriced and worth a stab at.

Selection – Gowel Road (14/1 with Coral)

 

Champion Chase Tips

For me, this is very easy. Shishkin would have to underperform to lose this. At Ascot, it was Energumenes’s chance to beat him but now with the conditions and track in Shishkin’s favour, I can’t see how he overturns the form. There are massive doubts over Chacun Pour Soi and the rest just aren’t good enough. The way the race will be run with Energumene or even Chacun Pour Soi going out in front it will fall into Shishkins lap and it should be a comfortable win with Shiskin charging up the Cheltenham hill.

SELECTION: SHISNKIN (4/6 with Paddy Power)

 

Cross Country Chase Tip

Very much of a marmite race this, you either love it or you hate it. I have known people to go to the bar in this race, but I personally love it, the variations of jumps from the cheese wedges to the banks, to the canal like turn. It takes a very genuine, adaptable horse to take to these fences. And once again the field looks wide open. Tiger Roll the absolute Cross-Country king who managed to regain his crown from Easysland last year who I am sure if he did there would be no one who would begrudge him from doing so, however at this very minute it does look unlikely.

Easysland had his first run for his new trainer Jonjo O’Neil when he was pulled up at Sandown over hurdles over the weekend looked a shadow of himself, albeit it was over hurdles but with the problems the horse has had you wonder if they are able to bring him back to his 2020 form.

You then have an unknown in the name of Prengarde who has taken the French Cross-Country scene by an absolute storm which has seen JP McManus buying him and moving him toMr Cross Country himself Enda Bolger. But as we have seen with French horse Easysland being one the going is all important and it seems Prengarde has done all his winning on Soft or worst so will the spring ground be a problem to him? He is apparently due to make an appearance over hurdles in a warm up for March.

Then we come to my pick MORTAL, who has a similar sort of profile to Cause Of Causes, he has the back class previously finishing second to Delta Work in a Novice Chase and even winning a big handicap last year off 147. Interestingly he was bought by Gordon in the sales (previously owned by Gigginstown) and horses re bought by Gordon from Gigginstown can be a very good angle to follow with the likes of Smoking Gun and Folsom Blue all doing very well. He was brought over in December to Cheltenham by Gordon for what was obviously a sighter and he took to the fences very well finishing 4th that day.

He was out the back for a lot of the race which really isn’t the place to be round the course as it is a very sharp track with some tight turns and can be a bit of sprint turning for him. However, he was given plenty time that day and plenty of sight at the fences, which would have been the aim. He did, however, after three out just suddenly seem to spring a pair of wings and absolutely flew home, he did slip round the home bend and ended up fading before the line to miss out on third. He then ran at the DRF in the 2 1/2m handicap which you have to think would have a been pipe opener for March.

Since his run in December, he has been brought over again for a schooling session over fences with Jamie Codd on board so you have to think he will be on board which really there is no better man. He performed better on his first run over these fences than the likes of Tiger Roll and Cause Of Causes. The race in March isn’t a handicap so he won’t be conceding weight this time around and with different tactics in a much more positive ride I can see him going very well and being very hard to beat.

Selection: Mortal (12/1 with 888Sport)

 

Grand Annual Betting Tips

The Grand Annual is a handicap that is not necessarily won by an unexposed, improving horse as some other handicaps can be. Last year’s winner Sky Pirate had a very open campaign last year and didn’t hide anything from the handicapper, winning off a 10-year high rating of 152.

My selection BEFORE MIDNIGHT has a rating of 148 and is a very experienced chaser with 11 career starts over fences. He has course & distance form having won at the October meeting, beating Sky Pirate in the process and can go on all sorts of ground.

He has since won a competitive handicap at Ascot, was a well-beaten 4 of 4 to Shishkin in the Desert Orchid over Xmas and been beaten a length by Funambule Sivola (who has since franked that form by winning the Game Spirit at Newbury) at Doncaster.

Only 1 winner in the last 8 years has carried under 11st and that was 12yo winner Crocco Bay in 2019. I believe the Sam Thomas trained 9yo is underestimated and will be coming into the race slightly under the radar. He is overpriced to me and he has a massive chance in this.

Selection: BEFORE MIDNIGHT EW (14/1 with bet365)

 

Weatherbys Champion Bumper Tip

The Irish have dominated this race in previous years, winning the last 5 in a row and look pretty much guaranteed to make it 6 on the bounce. This year’s renewal looks hotter than last year’s and performances from the 3 horses at the top of the market have all been electric.

Redemption Day has had just the one run in his career but could not have done it any better, he seems to be all speed. Patrick that day never had to ask him any questions and did everything with such ease.

His stable mate and market leader Facile Vega could not have impressed any more than he did last weekend in the DRF, the way he ran from the front, quickened up and then put a few lengths between him and the second Sandor Clegane who would himself is no mug pulling a long way clear of the third too. The action of Facile Vega, the way he hits ground with purpose shows he is a top-quality horse.

However, my pick is AMERICAN MIKE and I have been a huge fan of his this season. With the performance of Facile Vega over the weekend the selection is starting to be slightly overlooked.

American Mike started off life in winning a point to point and was then bought in the sales for £195k and has won his two bumpers with the ultimate ease, including last time out giving 7lbs and beating Battling Bessie by 17 lengths on the bridle, who has since come out last weekend and boosted the form in losing by a nose in a Grade 2 bumper at the DRF.

What is interesting is before Sir Gerhard moved from Gordons last year, this fella has followed the same path as the forementioned did and It has been made of no secret that the Elliot think he is a very special horse.

In an interview with Jamie Codd, he said, “American Mike will win by the length of the straight” and although he maybe exaggerating a little bit, you could sense that he is a special horse and when he is let loose, he will be very hard to beat indeed.

Selection: American Mike (3/1 with Paddy Power)

 

Cheltenham Day 3 Tips

Race	Tip	Odds
1.30pm - Turners Novice Chase	Ginnys Destiny	4/1
2.10pm - Pertemps Network Final	Cuthbertdibble	9/1
2.50pm - Ryanair Chase	Stage Star	9/2
3.30pm - Stayers Hurdle	Teahupoo	7/4
4.10pm - Plate Handicap Chase	Theatre Man (ew)	9/2
4.50pm - Mares Novice Hurdle	Brighterdaysahead	13/8
5.30pm - Kim Muir Chase	Whacker Clan	12/1

 

Turners Novices’ Chase Tip

Coming Soon.

 

Pertemps Network Final Betting Tips

Sporting John was beaten favourite behind the veteran Kansas City Chief on his penultimate start, over course and distance, in December, but returned to winning ways with a ready, 3-length victory over The Jam Man at Warwick the following month. The runner-up did that form no favours when beaten out of sight in a valuable handicap hurdle at Leopardstown last month, but Sporting John still looks realistically handicapped off a 4lb higher mark.

Selection: Sporting John (8/1 with Ladbrokes)

 

Ryanair Chase Tips

Coming Soon.

 

Stayers Hurdle Tips

My Stayers Hurdle winner is Champ. There are a few horses who like to lead and can see them going off at an absolute burn up and get racing way too far out. The jockeys won’t make the same mistake and let Danny Mullins get his own way in the lead, nor will Klassical Dream be allowed to get the head start he got at Christmas,  and I can see the race falling right into Champs lap. I have been keen on him for a while, and he has everything you need to win a Stayers Hurdle.

Selection – Champ (5/1 with William Hill)

Watch: Flooring Porter wins the 2021 Stayers Hurdle.

 

Paddy Power Plate Tips

Celebre D’Allen made a seamless transition back to fences at Warwick last month, winning not by far, but comfortable enough to suggest a 6lb rise in the weights is entirely justified. The Network gelding has won all three starts since joining Philip Hobbs from French trainer Louisa Carberry in October and looks a worthy favourite, despite facing his toughest test so far.

Selection: Celebre D’Allen (6/1 with Ladbrokes)

 

Mares Novices Hurdle Tips

The Mares Novice Hurdle had been a Willie Mullins benefit in its first 5 runnings with the Closutton handler saddling the first 5 winners in the race (including 4 of the first 5 in 2020) until Telmesomesomethinggirl scored for the woman of the moment Rachel Blackmore last year.

Mullins again holds the key in this year’s renewal, despite the late defection of the hugely impressive Allegorie de Vassy whose victory in the Solerina had propelled her to the top of the Market. Second that day was current favourite Brandy Love, who would surely have won bar jumping left at every hurdle, culminating in her almost joining the patrons in the Bobbyjo Bistro at the second last. Although many would see a return to going left-handed as a tonic to that problem, and despite the fact that she clearly has massive ability, the violent nature of some of those jumps would be a concern and at prohibitive odds, I will cautiously look elsewhere.

I am also dubious about next in the betting Dinoblue who is a talking horse from the Cheltenham Festival preview circuit and whose form in her one run does not justify her skinny price. Previous winner Concertista was a second season novice having her second go in the race, a profile similar to Joseph O’Brien’s Mighty Blue, who travelled sweetly into last year’s race. However, she fell when seemingly held on her only start over hurdles this year and is far from a certain participant. (A 20/1 NRNB price would tempt me though).

The last 2 winners of this race have come 3rd in the Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap at the DRF, and the winner of this year’s renewal, Party Central, has attracted support. However, she is a Tricky ride and was actually beaten in the DRF mares bumper last year by my selection GRANGEE (8/1). She was far from disgraced against Supreme horses Mighty Potter and Three Stripe Life at Christmas and according to Brian Cooper, was travelling well when coming down in the previously mentioned Solerina. She will have to defy some stats (6/6 winners had come in the top 3 in their previous start and had also placed in a graded/listed race) but with the race in its infancy, those stats could be misleading and I think she will go very close at an each-way price.

Selection: Grange (8/1 with bet365)

 

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase

Former pointer Omar Maretti has made a promising start to his career under Rules, winning four of his five starts so far and may be capable of taking another step forward here. Indeed, he put up his best effort yet when jumping well to win a similar event at Catterick last month with plenty in hand and a 5lb rise in the weights may well underestimate him. Good to soft, or soft, going should suit him admirably and, at a double-figure price, he looks excellent value.

Selection: Omar Maretti (14/1 with Ladbrokes)

 

Cheltenham Day 4 Tips

Race	Tip	Bet
1.30pm - Triumph Hurdle	Majborough	9/2
2.10pm - County Hurdle	King of Kingsfield	5/1
	So Scottish (ew)	14/1
2.50pm - Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle	Gidleigh Park	7/1
3.30pm - Cheltenham Gold Cup	Galopin Des Champs	11/10
4.10pm - Festival Challenge Cup Hunters Chase	It's on the Line	9/4
	Premier Magic	13/2
4.50pm - Paddy Power Mares Chase	Riviere D’Etel (each-way)	20/1
5.30pm - Martin Pipe Hurdle	Better Days Ahead	10/1

 

Triumph Hurdle Tip

Comign Soon.

 

County Hurdle Tip – WEST CORK (8/1)

Dan Skelton is an excellent target trainer and has a great record in handicap hurdles, especially this race having won it 3 times in the last 6 years and it is a horse from his stable that I like here. WEST CORK has been targeted for this race since winning The Greatwood Hurdle here at the November meeting.

Off the track for 631 days prior to winning the Greatwood, he beat Champion Hurdle hope Adiago and a host of other good horses. The form of that race is astonishing and by far the best handicap hurdle run this season. A number of horses in behind West Cork that day have won a mix of big handicaps and graded races.

The last day he had the bounce factor and blew out whilst finishing further down the field in the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot in December. He has since been left for this and I’m sure his trainer will freshen him up and get him to peak for the festival. There could be 1 in here from Ireland that is a graded horse and be too good for him (the main worry would be State Man off 141) but he has lots of boxes ticked for this race and he has a huge chance.

 

Albert Bartlett Tip – HILLCREST (4/1)

I thought this race looked strong a few weeks ago but after going through it in more detail, I think there’s a bet to have.

With Ginto and Journey With Me looking likely to go to the Ballymore and Gerri Colombe ruled out of the race, all of the sudden the race lacks the depth I thought it had a couple of weeks ago.

HILLCREST (4/1 with Betfred) was impressive on the weekend and I’m willing to take a chance on him for this often grueling race for novices. His price has almost gone since the weekend but he has a huge chance and it was good to see him over 3m before being convinced of his staying ability.

The ground at Haydock was heavy and it would worry me slightly that he has hard a hard race only 27 days before for Albert Bartlett but his trainer Henry Daly’s comments (that he wasn’t blowing for too long and it was like he hadn’t had a race) after the race would cancel out that fear.

There are still dangers to my pick but I believe he is the one to beat. Minella Cocooner won well in the Nathaniel Lacy at the DRF and I really don’t understand why he is such a bigger price than the runner-up Minella Crooner. I understand that the latter was a little unlucky and finished off his race well but I think he has shortened far too much since and I’m not sure about his favourites price. Hollow Games has been a little disappointing and I cant see how he turns that form around with the 2 Minella’s.

HILLCREST has course form and has won on a variety of ground conditions. He has 2m4 form so shouldn’t lack for pace either. With 4 completed starts (and an unseated rider) to his name this season and being a 7YO he has a good amount of experience usually needed to win this race.

 

Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting Tip – TORNADO FLYER – 12/1 with SpreadEx (NRNB)

The 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup is a wide-open race and I have to admit my selection is one I have only just nailed my colours to, but I am becoming very keen on him.

He is currently a double-figure price and with all horses ahead of him in the betting due to run, he will go off half of what he is now. Although things fell into his lap in his last race after the strong pace collapsed, I was mightily impressed with the run, he’s on the up and I even think the extra 2f will see more improvement from him.

He will go any ground and now he’s got his head in front, it can really do a horse world of good and give them that confidence to go on.

My ante-post tip for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup 2022 is Tornado Flyer.

Watch: Minella Indo wins the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

 

Festival Hunter Chase Tip

On Friday at 4.10, with Prestbury Park still on a high from Minella Indo winning back to back Gold Cups (Bonus Tip), we turn our attention to the Race that stops a nation……from wanting to have a 5th day at the Cheltenham Festival. Billaway, for the 3rd year in a row, is the favourite but I would be concerned that he has found one too good on his last 2 attempts. Winged Leader beat him easily in Thurles and I think the only reason he’s not outright favourite is because Willie has said that Billaway would come on from the run. This may also be true for David Christie’s horse who was having his first start of the season under rules.

However, another horse in the race who I believe would be half its odds bar one noticeable concern, is my selection BOB AND CO (8/1). It is easy to mock Owner/Jockey David Maxwell, who once pulled up this classy French recruit because he himself was cramping. However, the likeable Maxwell has actually had 7 winners this year for a £16.38 profit to level stakes. The horse was travelling well in last year’s race before coming down 3 out and if the Jockey can get enough electrolytes on board in the lead up to the race, I fancy him to go very close.

Selection: BOB AND CO 8/1 with William Hill.

 

Mrs Paddy Power Mares Novices Chase Tip – CONCERTISTA (11/4)

The newest race at the Cheltenham Festival currently in only it’s second year. As with any of the mare’s races, Willie Mullins dominated last and looks to be the same again. Elimay, last year’s second has been a shadow of her former self so far this season but excuses can be given and is one to write off at your own peril. Mount Ida was last year’s impressive Kim Muir winner and looks to hold every chance but could be vulnerable to a speedier type at this trip and her jumping isn’t the straightest either. CONCERTISTA has done nothing but impress over fences, a very high-class mare over hurdles previously winning the Mares Novice at the second attempt before going on to be done on the line in the Mare’s Hurdle last year, if you ran that race again, she surely would have won.

She jumps the fences like hurdles – so low and accurate which has got some criticism from people and the fact she doesn’t leave much room for error and getting one wrong could end up in her out of the race. But she is yet to do so. Her form from her previous two chases has been franked with horses since then coming out and winning and the fact she was put into a Grade 2 first time out shows how much high regard the yard must have for her. She has more speed than a lot of her rivals and has proven staying 2 1/2miles is no problem whatsoever, always gives her running and she is one of my strongest fancies of this year’s festival.

 

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle Betting Tip

Before we turn our attention to Cheltenham 2023 Antepost Punting there is the small matter of the “Boys Race” for Conditional Jockeys. Previous winners Don Slowly Poli, Champagne Classic, Sir Des Champs and Killutagh Vic would suggest that you are looking for a horse that will turn into a graded staying chaser. (Don’t get me started on Galopin Des Champs not going 3m).

This is further backed up by 9/10 winners being aged 5 or 6 and 8/10 having had no more than 8 hurdles starts. This last stat would count against Langer Dan who is undoubtedly well handicapped on his second in the race last year. There is also no doubt that State Man off 141 is of interest (in fact I would give him an outside squeak in a Supreme Novices Hurdle of this standard so I would have to fancy him of 141) and Richie Deegan was an eye-catching jockey booking last time out. However, he is one with multiple entries and so I will hold fire on him for now.

Gordon Elliot is always a man to look out for in this race and he could run 5 or 6. The Goffer is certainly a staying chaser in the making, although maybe not a graded one and Hollow Games will attract support if he goes here but I have been hugely disappointed by him in his last 2 starts. CHEMICAL ENERGY (8/1) is the one I have liked for this for a long time. He was a classy bumper horse and while he disappointed in the Champion Bumper last year, perhaps that just came a little early in his career. He will appreciate good ground and I think that this has been the plan all year. If Jordan Gainsford is Booked, LUMP!

Selection: Chemical Energy (8/1 with Ladbrokes)

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