Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Part 4 - (NRNB)

Cheltenham Festival 2026

Part 4 (NRNB) 

A few additional bets.

Ultima Handicap Chase:

Monbeg Genius 40/1 (Bet365, SkyBet/PP) - 0.5pts E/W

National Hunt Novices Chase:

Newton Tornado 7/1 (Various) - 1pt E/W

Grand Annual Handicap Chase:

Libberty Hunter 16/1 (Bet365) - 0.75pts E/W

Jack Richards Novices Handicap Chase:

Sixmilebridge 12/1 (Bet365) - 1pt E/W

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle:

Yeah Man 16/1 (SkyBet/PP) - 0.75pts E/W

Bold Endeavour 25/1 (Bet365) - 0.5pts E/W

Kim Muir Handicap Chase:

Jarrive De L'Est 16/1 (Ladbrokes) - 1.5pt E/W

County Handicap Hurdle:

Joyeuse 25/1 (Bet365, William Hill) - 0.5pts E/W

Celtic Dino 25/1 (BetMGM, SkyBet/PP) - 0.5pts E/W

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle:

Timeless Treaty 20/1 (William Hill/888) - 0.75pts E/W

Act Of Authority 20/1 (Various) - 0.75pts E/W

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Part 3 - (NRNB)

 Cheltenham Festival 2026

Part 3 - NRNB

Once again, ALL bets in this part are advised at NRNB prices.

Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle:

Mino Des Mottes 25/1 (SkyBet/PP) - 0.5pts E/W

Ultima Handicap Chase:

King Of Answers 25/1 (Bet365, William Hill) - 0.75pts E/W

Three Card Brag 25/1 (William Hill) - 0.5pts E/W

TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase:

Zurich 25/1 (Bet365, SkyBet) - 0.75pts E/W

National Hunt Novices Chase:

Newton Tornado 10/1 (SkyBet) - 1pt E/W

Champion Bumper:

Love Sign D'Aunou 6/1 (Bet365) - 1pt E/W

Mares Novices Hurdle:

Full Of Life 25/1 (Bet365) - 0.5pts E/W

Jack Richards Novices Chase:

Slade Steel 14/1 (Various) - 1pt E/W

Mares Hurdle:

Wodhooh 15/8 (SkyBet) - 1.5pts Win

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle:

Staffordshire Knot 20/1 (William Hill) - 1pt E/W

Letos 25/1 (Bet365) - 0.5pts E/W

Ryanair Chase:

Gaelic Warrior 5/4 (William Hill) - 2pt Win

Kim Muir Challenge Cup:

Mclaurey 12/1 (SkyBet) - 1pt E/W

Triumph Hurdle:

Selma De Vary 6/1 (Bet365, William Hill) - 1pt E/W

County Handicap Hurdle:

Hot Fuss 50/1 (Bet365) - 0.5pts E/W

Mares Chase:

Spindleberry 10/3 (Various) - 1.5pts Win

Albert Bartlett:

Jalon D'Oudairies 33/1 (Various) - 0.5pts E/W

Kazansky 16/1 (SkyBet/PP) - 1pt E/W

Gold Cup:

Envoi Allen 40/1 (William Hill) - 0.75pts E/W

Hunters Chase:

Stattler 12/1 (Various) - 1pt E/W

Hunters Yarn 20/1 (Various) - 0.5pts E/W

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle:

Kazansky 16/1 (SkyBet/PP) - 1pt E/W

Frankie John 25/1 (Various) - 0.5pts E/W

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Part 2 - Days 1 & 2 (NRNB)

 Cheltenham Festival 2026

Part 2 (NRNB)

Holding off until NRNB seems to look like a good choice now with a fair few horses either now missing the festival or losing and not looking as good as first hoped.

We took a couple of blows to our early ante post bets, but also a couple that now look a lot better, swings and roundabouts, as they say.

Anyway, we move on, and it is NRNB time which is fantastic news for us, all prices quoted are NRNB prices, so if our selections don't turn up to the race we at least get our money back, so let's get started.

Arkle Novices Chase:

Kopek Des Bordes 5/2 (Various) - 2pts Win - Fairly obvious selection, although coming straight to the Arkle off the back of one run is not ideal, however he was seen schooling in video so we know he is alive and well, and the Supreme Novices Hurdle winner looks the obvious play to me.

Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle:

Saratoga 10/1 (Bet365) - 1pt E/W - Half brother to 2022 winner of this race, Brazil, Saratoga looks to follow almost the same path as him, as he has been declared for the all important race at Naas on Saturday. He looks to have been ridden to 'hide' his true ability, a bit like Brazil was, so it will be interesting to see how he goes on Saturday, before hopefully heading to the festival.

Genealogy 14/1 (Bet365) - 1pt E/W - Again, another declared for the race at Naas on Saturday, he's been pretty eye-catching in both his runs to date, and needs monitoring in the race on Saturday. I suspect he'll go well enough without quite winning, then head straight to this race at the festival.

Ultima Handicap Chase:

Myretown 8/1 (Various) - 1.5pts E/W - He's got an entry in a Grand National trial on 14th February, so I'm not sure if he'll even turn up to this race, but I think he should. He absolutely hosed up (11 lengths) in this race last season and I could see him being good enough to go in again, even off his revised mark of 142.

Champion Hurdle:

Lossiemouth 4/1 (William Hill, SkyBet/PP) - 1.5pts Win - Her Cheltenham form is fantastic, and if they can excuse the run at the DRF then she'll be the big player for me. I think she can reverse the form with Brighterdaysahead at Cheltenham, and 4/1 NRNB is a bit of a gift, to be honest.

National Hunt Novices Chase:

Wade Out 10/1 (William Hill) - 1pt E/W - I think this has been the plan for some time and we look like getting Sean Bowen on top. He looks to be crying out for a longer trip, so let's hope the plan comes together.

Turners Novices Hurdle:

Mighty Park 11/2 (Bet365) - 1.5pts E/W - We already had two covered for this but one of them has disappointed massively, and I think this lad is a serious horse. Looks like he'll be a better chaser than hurdler, but I'm hoping he can pick up this race on the way to becoming a big player over fences.

Coral Cup:

Jingko Blue 25/1 (Bet365) - 1pt E/W - Looked to be a pretty useful novice chaser in the making but they've switched back to hurdles with him now, and his mark is 7lbs lower than his chase mark, but ultimately his ability over both is pretty good. His run LTO over 2m4 1/2f at Cheltenham looks pretty good on the bare face of it and I think there is more to come from him at this trip, and he's still a big price, in my opinion.

Storm Heart 20/1 (Bet365) - 0.75pts E/W - This step up in trip looks ideal, having won over this sort of distance LTO, which was his seasonal debut. Has some really good juvenile form to his name and his mark remains unchanged in Ireland and with a bit of luck the UK tax won't be much either.

Kopeck De Mee 16/1 (Various) - 0.75pts E/W - Another Mullins horse, and another who came with a big reputation last season. For whatever reason he didn't perform in the Martin Pipe, but he bounced back to form at Aintree, being denied only by a neck. I think the quicker Old Course will play to his strengths and could see him going close.

Cross Country Chase:

Favori De Champdou 6/1 (William Hill) - 1pt E/W - Not a race I usually get stuck in to but I was mightily impressed with this lad last time out, and I really wanted to get him onside. It will be interesting to see what the handicapper does with him, but I think he can carry plenty around and should be there or thereabouts for us come the end of the race.

Grand Annual Chase:

Be Aware 14/1 (SkyBet/PP) - 1pt E/W - This horse is probably riddled with talent, but he's an absolute lunatic at times. Goes off from the front way too quickly, but has run in plenty of competitive races. If they can apply headgear, he may just settle enough to get home with his head in front.

Jazzy Matty 14/1 (William Hill, SkyBet/PP) - 1pt E/W - Last seasons winner of this race, and although he's going to be plenty higher in the weights he should still give his running. The fact they've been running him over hurdles, maybe connections feel they can find the 7lbs improvement required to be competitive again. Lets hope so.

Champion Bumper:

Heldam 33/1 (Bet365) - 0.5pts E/W - Was pretty disappointing over Christmas at Leopardstown, but he holds an entry at Navan on Sunday, and Patrick Mullins has been firm in mentioning more than once that he's one not to give up on. His p2p win was pretty comfortable and he's one I have been keen on a fair while. I'm hoping he can now put it all right on Sunday and we are sitting on a big priced ticket for the festival!

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Ante Post Selections

 Cheltenham Festival 2026

Ante Post Selections

Usually I've stuck up plenty by now, but I've decided to hold back and it looks to maybe have paid off. Willie Mullins has been slow to get going and generally it's looked a pretty hard year to be getting involved too early.

I'm probably only going to do one or two ante post selection posts, before we lay in to loads more once NRNB kicks in! Anyway, let's get started with some bets who I believe still represent value.

Supreme Novices Hurdle:

El Cairos 9/2 (Bet365) - 1pt Win - It is a little bit mad that he is as short as he is, given he tripped and eventually fell on his hurdles debut at Leopardstown over Christmas, however, he looked to be a little rocket, and looked as though he was going to pull well clear of the field, including Doctor Du Mesnil, who is fancied below. I'm happy to chance that El Cairos is going to be top level and although Gordon doesn't have the best record in the Supreme, when he does have one he usually goes close in the race, if not winning it. He'll do for me, for now, in a race where we will almost definitely be adding one, maybe two more too.

Champion Hurdle:

Constitution Hill 12/1 (Bet365, Ladbrokes, others) - 1pt E/W - I know, every year I fall into the same trap, but in fairness one season he missed because he wasn't right at home and last season he fell, but looked incredibly well in himself. It is a massive shame he seems to have become a perennial faller, but for me, bar the Punchestown run, I've seen little to suggest he's still not a very good horse, so for that reason I think he's most definitely an E/W play in this race, and will likely shorten as it looks as though both Lossiemouth & Brighterdaysahead will battle it out at the DRF and Sir Gino & The New Lion will do the same on trials day! Constitution Hill on the other hand will have a plod around Southwell on the flat prior to the festival, which should have little to no bearing on how he'll do in the Champion Hurdle, in my opinion.

Turners Novices Hurdle:

Doctor Du Mesnil 20/1 (Bet365) - 0.75pts E/W - Very impressive bumper winner at Cork back in April and much more was expected of him, for me at least, on his hurdles debut over Christmas, but ultimately the unlucky El Cairos (Supreme selection above) looked like he was going to bolt up anyway. Stable tours seem to suggest the mid trip, so I am hoping for an impressive run next time out, over further, and he'll shorten plenty.

King Rasko Grey 25/1 (Bet365, Ladbrokes) - 0.5pts E/W - Probably another one a bit left field. Struggled in bumpers, but I was impressed with his debut effort over hurdles, but I don't think he's a 2 mile horse, so for that reason I feel he will be stepped up in trip, whether next time out or beat next time out over 2m and then stepped up in trip for the festival. He's by Galiway, so I'm fully expecting him to be a mid-trip horse this season with the potential to go out in trip next season. Preference would for him to be beat, not too far, at the DRF over 2m and then go straight to the Turners from there. If he is beat and drifts in the market, I wouldn't put anyone off topping up on him as an E/W play.

Brown Advisory Novice Chase:

Western Fold 20/1 (Various) - 0.75pts E/W - One for Gordon Elliott. Much is being made of Romeo Coolio stepping up to 3m for Gordon, but this lad has barely put a foot wrong and he's been taking on a much more experienced, higher level of opposition, including beating them on a couple of occasions. He doesn't have the 'profile' you'd expect for a winner of this race, but he's solid, and should be a definite E/W player. Final Demand looks solid enough to date, but you can't be scared of one horse.

Kaid D'authie 33/1 (Unibet & Betfred) - 0.5pts E/W - Another E/W play for us. Beat on debut by a stablemate, but only by just over a length, at a trip I think suited the stablemate more. That one has since gone and won the Kauto Star Novices Chase at Kempton over Christmas, whilst this lad put in a lovely display to win his beginners chase by some 10 lengths. I think there's plenty more to come from this lad when stepped up even further in trip.

Champion Chase:

Marine Nationale 5/2 (Betvictor) - 2pts Win - Last seasons emphatic winner of the race, hopefully can make it back to back wins. Was expecting him to be a bit further off of it on his seasonal reappearance but ran a really good race, only going down by 1/2 length from a horse who absolutely loves Leopardstown. Marine Nationale will probably head to the DRF where he may end up winning, and cementing his position at the top of the market for this race.

Quilixios 20/1 (General) - 0.5pts E/W - Last seasons hard luck story in this race, was upside with Marine Nationale at the last before unfortunately coming down. Not been seen this season yet, but suspect he'll be out at the DRF. Wouldn't be expecting him to be cherry ripe for that, so may drift, IF he doesn't run much of a race. It wouldn't put me off with a view to this race at the festival though, and he remains a solid E/W play, in my opinion.

Jack Richards Novice Chase:

Be Aware 33/1 (Betfair/PP) - 1pt E/W - Having just watched his defeat over 2m at Windsor, I was happy with how he stayed to the line considering how hard he went early on. I think the price is an overreaction, personally, so I'm happy to jump on now. Got some solid form in the book too.

Mares Novice Hurdle:

Bambino Fever 5/2 (William Hill, Ladbrokes) - 2pts Win - I know there will be a fair few people thinking she is short for what she's done over hurdles, but to me she's a work in progress. She was the stand out performer in bumpers last season, including winning the big one at the festival. I see no reason why she can't get to that level again, but this time over hurdles. She hurdles fine, and stays really well to the line. She's not been 100% for the two runs to date this season, in my opinion, even though her recent win, she done it plenty well enough. Plenty more to come I suspect.

Stayers Hurdle:

Bob Olinger 9/1 (William Hill) - 0.75pts E/W - Cruised through the race last season to win it really well, and I'll be hoping for more of the same. His seasonal debut was full of promise, despite finishing 7 lengths behind Teahupoo, who had race fitness on his side. I think Bob Olinger will come on plenty for that run, and whether they run again before the festival or save him now, I'm not entirely sure, but I think he'll have a great E/W shout again in this race.

Ballyburn 20/1 (Bet365) - 0.75pts E/W - It didn't work out for him over fences, but back over hurdles he went really close in the Hattons Grace behind Teahupoo, when held up. Roll on to the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, and instead of holding him up again, they decide to let him chase the leader, this took its toll, in my opinion, and he paid for it late on, but still finishing 3rd, albeit a fair way behind Teahupoo. IF he hadn't run in that race everyone would be saying Teahupoo upheld the form and Ballyburn would be almost joint favourite, but because they decided to mess around with different tactics, he's now a 20/1 poke and I think that is some serious value.

Ryanair Chase:

Fact To File 2/1 (Ladbrokes) - 2.5pts Win - I've no intention of backing anything else in this race, assuming the ones that look Gold Cup bound, end up in the Gold Cup. If they do not then we may end up adding some cover. Cracking winner of this race last season, solid effort in the John Durkan on seasonal reappearance, before a fairly tame effort in the King George. I'll be honest, I thought he got beat further than he did that day, so was very surprised to see it was only by just over 9 lengths. Provided no mishaps, then he should be winning this race again.

Triumph Hurdle:

Mange Tout 10/1 (Betfred, Ladbrokes) - 1pt E/W - Honestly struggling to see the discrepancy in price between Mange Tout & Narciso Has. I appreciate Narciso Has may have needed that run, and then dotted up the next time, but the form suggests that he hadn't improved loads for it. On the flip side, Narciso Has will have to give more weight to Mange Tout next time out plus at Cheltenham should they meet. He was only giving her 3lbs that day, when it would ordinarily be 7lbs. She looked a serious prospect in France, winning by some 15 lengths, although one of her rivals fell at the last, but she was already going clear at this stage, in my opinion. I think she's got all the attributes to be a serious mare down the line and I am expecting her to go very close in the Triumph Hurdle.

Albert Bartlett:

Espresso Milan 33/1 (General) - 0.5pts E/W - A bit of a punt this one, but entered in a race on Sunday at Thurles, which Willie has a good record in, and usually sends a Bartlett type to it. He's bred to get the trip, in fact his win over 2m on hurdles debut was more of a surprise given his breeding, so hopefully a big step forward from that should he run on Sunday. I'll advise using a bookmaker with cash out as he may not be declared so will be keeping an eye on this, and could advise the use of cash out if need be.

Gold Cup:

Galopin Des Champs 6/1 (William Hill, Ladbrokes) - 1.5pts E/W - The two time Gold Cup winner made his seasonal debut over Christmas, it looked a pretty laboured performance, but the majority of that opposition had already had at least one run under their belt, and I think that it told at the end of the race. Despite being laboured, it was encourging enough to warrant a bet. I'm now expecting him to win at the DRF and the 6/1 will be long gone.

Monty's Star 66/1 (General) - 0.5pts E/W - A wild shout, given he could only muster 4th in the race last season and hasn't shown an awful lot this term, however, last season he never really got going, he had setbacks and to finish 4th was probably seen as a big positive going forward. He's now had two runs this season so far and last time out, in the same race Galopin Des Champs run in, was a vast improvement on his seasonal debut when burdened with top weight in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. I expect him to take yet another step forward at the DRF before making further progress in the Gold Cup. Realistically maybe not good enough to win the race but I think with improvement on improvement he could well nick a place this time around.

That's all for now. I'll be back sticking more up once the DRF is over and we should have some bookmakers going NRNB by then.

Best of luck.

Chelteham Festival 2025 - Full selections list

 Cheltenham Festival 2025

Here we are then, less than one week until the tape goes up, and the roar is released. It's time to now take stock of what has happened with our ante post bets, the good, the bad and the ugly, and make final additions where necessary. Lets go!

We have a lot of new bets in a lot of races, so please check them all carefully.

DAY 1

Supreme Novices Hurdle:

Salvator Mundi 12/1 - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Romeo Coolio 20/1 - 0.5pts E/W - 3rd +1.5pts

Regent's Stroll 100/1 - 0.25pts E/W - Lost -0.5pts

Race total = -1pt

Arkle Novices Chase:

Firefox 8/1 - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

It's For Me 33/1 - 0.5pts E/W - Lost -1pt

Sir Gino 4/6 (NRNB) - N/R

Race total = -3pts

Ultima Handicap Chase:

King Turgeon 12/1 (NRNB) - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Victtorino 16/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W - Lost -1.5pts

Hyland 12/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W - N/R

Malina Girl 14/1 (Bet365, 5 places, NRNB)  - 0.75pts E/W (NEW BET) - 4th +1.35pts

Race total = -2.15pts

Mares Hurdle:

Golden Ace 10/1 - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Brighterdaysahead 2/1 - 2pts Win - Lost -2pts

Kargese 9/2 - 1pt Win - Lost -1pt

Jade De Grugy 2/1 (William Hill, NRNB) - 1.5pts Win (NEW BET) - Lost -1.5pts

Race total = -6.5pts

Champion Hurdle:

Constitution Hill 7/4 - 2pts Win - Lost -2pts

Constitution Hill 9/2 - 1pt Win - Lost -1pt

Race total = -3pts

Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle:

Wendrock 14/1 (NRNB) - 0.5pts E/W - Lost -1pt

Murcia 10/1 (NRNB) - 1.5pts E/W (5 places) - Lost -3pts

Money Dancer 20/1 (NRNB) - N/R 

Beyond Your Dreams 8/1 (Ladbrokes, BetMGM, NRNB) - 1pt E/W (NEW BET) - Lost -2pts

Race total = -6pts

National Hunt Chase:

Transmission 9/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W - 5th +0.6pts

Captain Cody 14/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W - Lost -1.5pts

Race total = -0.9pts

Day 1 total = -22.55pts

DAY 2.

Turners Novices Hurdle:

Jasmin De Vaux 12/1 - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Jalon D'Oudairies 14/1 - 0.5pts E/W - Lost -1pt

Kopek Des Bordes 16/1 - 0.75pts E/W - Lost -1.5pts

James's Gate 10/1 (Various, NRNB) - 1pt E/W (NEW BET) - N/R

Race total = - 4.5pts

Brown Advisory Novices Chase:

Better Days Ahead 25/1 - 1pt E/W - 3rd +4pts

Ballyburn 5/1 - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Impaire Et Passe 16/1 - 0.75pts E/W - Lost -1.5pts

Race total = +0.5pts

Coral Cup:

Wodhooh 16/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W - N/R

Harsh 25/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W (5 places) - N/R

Sandor Clegane 33/1 (Ladbrokes, Betfred, NRNB) - 0.5pts E/W (NEW BET) - Lost -1pt

Farren Glory 25/1 (SkyBet, 5 places, NRNB) - 0.5pts E/W (NEW BET) - N/R

Maxxum 20/1 (SkyBet, 5 places, NRNB) - 0.5pts E/W (NEW BET) - Lost -1pt

Race total = -2pts

Cross Country Handicap Chase:

Galvin 4/1 (Various, NRNB) - 1pt Win (NEW BET) - Lost -1pt

Race total = -1pt

Champion Chase:

Gaelic Warrior 9/2 - 1pt Win - Lost -1pt

Gaelic Warrior 4/1 - 1pt Win - Lost -1pt

Solness 15/2 (Bet365, NRNB) - 1pt E/W (NEW BET) - Lost -2pts

Race total = -4pts

Grand Annual Handicap Chase:

Unexpected Party 20/1 - 0.75pts E/W - 2nd +3pts

Final Orders 33/1 (NRNB) - N/R

Railway Hurricane 501/1 (NRNB) - N/R

American Mike 14/1 (Bet365, SkyBet, Betfair, 5 places, NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W (NEW BET) - Lost -1.5pts

Asta La Pasta 20/1 (Bet365, 5 places, NRNB) - 0.5pts E/W (NEW BET) - N/R

Dancing On My Own 25/1 (Unibet, NRNB) - 0.5pts E/W (NEW BET) - Lost -1pts

Race total = +0.5pts

Champion Bumper:

Quantum Boy 16/1 - 0.5pts E/W - Lost -1pt

Copacabana 7/2 (Various, NRNB) - 1pt Win (NEW BET) - Lost -1pt

Race total = -2pts

Day 2 total = -12.5pts

DAY 3.

Mares Novices Hurdle:

Kientzheim 22/1 - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Karoline Banbou 8/1 (NRNB) - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Sixandahalf 3/1 (Bet365, NRNB) - 1.5pts Win (NEW BET) - Lost -1.5pts

Race total = -5.5pts

Jack Richards Novices Handicap Chase:

Nurburgring 10/1 (NRNB) - 1pt E/W - 4th +1.5pts

Waterford Whispers 12/1 (NRNB) - N/R

Jordans 12/1 (Bet365, 5 places, NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W (NEW BET) - N/R

Pic Roc 14/1 (Various, 5 places, NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W (NEW BET) - Lost -1.5pts

Race total = 0pts

Pertemps Network Final:

Henri The Second 16/1 - 0.5pts E/W - Lost -1pt

Jeriko Du Reponet 6/1 (NRNB) -1pt E/W - 2nd +0.2pts

Staffordshire Knot 14/1 (NRNB) - N/R

Minella Sixo 10/1 (NRNB) - N/R

The Wallpark 6/1 (Ladbrokes, NRNB) - 2pts E/W (NEW BET) - N/R

Race total = -0.8pts

Ryanair Chase:

Fact To File 16/1 - 0.5pts E/W - 1st +9.6pts

Ile Est Francais 10/1 - 0.75pts E/W - Lost -1.5pts

Race total = +8.1pts

Stayers Hurdle:

Teahupoo 5/2 - 4pts Win - Lost -4pts

Mystical Power 33/1 - 0.5pts E/W - Lost -1pt

Home By The Lee 10/1 - 0.75pts E/W - Lost -1.5pts

Race total = -6.5pts

TrustATrader Plate:

Crebilly 10/1 (NRNB) - 1pt E/W (5 places) - N/R

Gemirande 20/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W - Lost -1.5pts

Ginny's Destiny 20/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W (5 places) - Lost -1.5pts

Race total = -3pts

Kim Muir Handicap Chase:

Walking On Air 12/1 (BetMGM, NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W (NEW BET) - Lost -1.5pts

Yeah Man 16/1 (BetMGM, NRNB) - 0.5pts E/W (NEW BET) - Lost -1pt

Aworkinprogress 20/1 (Bet365, 5 places, NRNB) - 0.5pts E/W (NEW BET) - N/R

Race total = -2.5pts

Day 3 total = -10.2pts

DAY 4.

Triumph Hurdle:

Murcia 25/1 - 0.5pts E/W - Lost -1pt

Willy De Houelle 6/1 - 1.5pts E/W - Lost -3pts

Hello Neighbour 12/1 - 0.75pts E/W - Lost -1.5pts

Race total = -5.5pts

County Hurdle:

Lark In The Mornin 10/1 (NRNB) - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Ethical Diamond 14/1 (NRNB) - 1pt E/W - 4th +2.5pts

Kopeck De Mee 16/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W - N/R

Tounsivator 33/1 (Betfair, 5 places, NRNB) - 0.5pts E/W (NEW BET) - N/R

Race total = +0.5pts

Mares Chase:

Allegorie De Vassy 5/1 (Various, NRNB) - 1.5pts E/W (NEW BET) - Lost -3pts

Race total = -3pts

Albert Bartlett:

Final Demand 10/1 - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Jasmin De Vaux 12/1 (NRNB) - 1pt E/W - 1st +14.4pts

Jet Blue 12/1 (Bet365, NRNB) - 0.5pts E/W - Lost -1pt

Race total = +11.4pts

Gold Cup:

Galopin Des Champs 7/2 - 2pts Win - Lost -2pts

Monty's Star 20/1 - 0.5pts E/W - Lost -1pt

Race total = -3pts

Hunters Chase:

Angels Dawn 4/1 (NRNB) - 1pt Win - Lost -1pt

Race total = -1pt

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle:

Minella Sixo 16/1 - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Karafon 14/1 (NRNB) - 1pt E/W - Lost -2pts

Taponthego 20/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W - 4th +3pts

Patter Merchant 20/1 (NRNB) - 0.75pts E/W - N/R

Race total = -1pt

Day 4 total = -1.6pts

Festival total = - 46.85pts - The absolute worst festival we've ever had, hopefully make up for it during the year and next year, apologies :(

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Ante Post (Part 5)

 Cheltenham Festival 2025

Ante Post (Part 5)

Back again, and just going to assess how we are currently looking as well as adding to what we already have.

I'd say we've been fairly unlucky, some horses that look to have fantastic chances but we've got them in the wrong races, most notably Brighterdaysahead for the Mares, who may end up in the Champion Hurdle, Kopek Des Bordes, who we put up for the Turners at 16/1 and looks to be the winner in waiting of the Supreme and Final Demand, who we put up at 10/1 for the Bartlett and now goes to the Turners with a real good chance. Frustrating, but it is what it it. We do, however, has some nice positions, Galopin Des Champs, Teahupoo & Constitution Hill for their respective races, alongside both Fact To File & Il Est Francais for the Ryanair which looks like a shrewd enough move right now, so all is not lost, and lets hope they all get there now.

On to the latest selections, all bets are now NRNB:

Ultima Handicap Chase:

Hyland 12/1 (William Hill) - 0.75pts E/W

Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle:

Murcia 10/1 (SkyBet, 5 places) - 1.5pts E/W

National Hunt Novices Chase:

Transmission 9/1 (Bet365) - 0.75pts E/W

Captain Cody 14/1 (Bet365) - 0.75pts E/W

Coral Cup:

Wodhooh 16/1 E/W (Bet365) - 0.75pts E/W

Harsh 25/1 E/W (SkyBet, 5 places) - 0.5pts E/W

Grand Annual:

Railway Hurricane 50/1 (William Hill) - 0.5pts E/W

Mares Novices Hurdle:

Karoline Banbou 8/1 (Bet365) - 1pt E/W

Jack Richards Novices Chase:

Nurburgring 10/1 (William Hill) - 1pt E/W

Waterford Whispers 12/1 (Bet365) - 1pt E/W

Pertemps Network Final:

Jeriko Du Reponet 6/1 (Various) - 1pt E/W

Minella Sixo 10/1 (SkyBet, 5 places) - 1pt E/W

TrustATrade Plate:

Crebilly 10/1 (SkyBet, 5 places) - 1pt E/W

Gemirande 20/1 (William Hill) - 0.75pts E/W

Ginny's Destiny 20/1 (SkyBet, 5 places) - 0.75pts E/W

County Hurdle:

Kopeck De Mee 16/1 (Bet365) - 0.75pts E/W

Albert Bartlett:

Jasmin De Vaux 12/1 (Various) - 1pt E/W

Hunters Chase:

Angels Dawn 4/1 (Various) - 1pt Win

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle:

Taponthego 20/1 (SkyBet, 5 places) - 0.75pts E/W

Patter Merchant 20/1 (SkyBet, 5 places) - 0.75pts E/W

That's the lot for now, a fair few to catch up on. There will be one more post once handicap entries are out and as we get a bit closer to the festival.

Addtional bet:

Champion Bumper:

Gameofinches 20/1 (Bet365) - 1pt E/W

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Ante Post (Part 4)

Cheltenham Festival 2025

Ante Post (Part 4) 

I've had a bit of time to go through some of the races in greater details, including the handicaps, so this will be a fairly big update with, I suspect, one more update to come before the festival itself, though there may be the odd one or two put up should I see something I feel we need to have onside.

So let's get into it.

Supreme Novices Hurdle:

Regent's Stroll 100/1 (Bet365) - 0.25pts E/W - Put this one up on Twitter (X) yesterday and since then we've had a price cut. We are currently in a strong enough position in this race as we have the two at the head of the betting (Salvator Mundi & Romeo Coolio), at much bigger prices than they are currently. The thought process behind Regent's Stroll is that I think he definitely needs to come back down to 2m, and the trainer has since come out and said that's the plan and that the Supreme is still an option for him. He's a big price, but I really like the horse, and there is every possibility that he ends up the best of the British, which is not too hard to envisage, however, it will take a fair bit more to beat the Irish, but this lad could be up to landing a place for us at a huge price, in my opinion.

Arkle Chase:

Sir Gino 4/6 NRNB (William Hill) - 3pts Win - This is very much damage limitation for us in this race. We lost one at a big price who unfortunately died on the track, and our other hope (Firefox) is now a much bigger price, and whilst I still would be hopeful enough he could land a place, I do think Sir Gino is the best of the lot and he's worth a decent bet, even at odds on! Not ideal, but I never shy away from an odds on shot, if I believe they are going to be shorter on the day. I'm not entirely convinced by Majborough, his form was let down a little the other day too. I've gone NRNB for the sake of anything happening to him up until the race but he is slightly bigger at ante post prices.

Ultima Handicap Chase:

King Turgeon 12/1 NRNB (William Hill) - 1pt E/W

Victtorino 16/1 NRNB (William Hill) - 0.75pts E/W

Both horse have shown some improved form this season with King Turgeon improving no less than 21lbs since his seasonal debut. He is due to run at Wincanton this coming Thursday (16/01/25) in a race he should be going close in, albeit has to carry a fair chunk of weight and isn't the biggest horse. Hopefully he'll go well in that. Victtorino was solid last season before running in the Ultima and being pulled up. That was on heavy ground though and as he's shown again this season, he's a lot better than that. I'm expecting a better showing from him this year, should he turn up and the ground be a little kinder.

Mares Hurdle:

Kargese 9/2 (BetMGM) - 1pt Win - Another race we are in a bit of a hole with. Golden Ace was our initial E/W selection, she's been beat twice and to be honest, I'll be surprised if she even turns up for it now, instead waiting for Aintree, maybe. We then covered Brighterdaysahead, which looked a great decision, given how she beat State Man the first time, but since then she's absolutely hammered him, albeit that wasn't his true running, but now it has to be a worry she ends up in the Champion Hurdle! Frustrating, but we can still come out the right side of the race, and Kargese has recently been given the talk, and it sounds as though we will see her soon, she's a nice cover bet at 9/2 as she advertises the juvenile form of last season, something that seems to be working out pretty well.

Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle:

Wendrock 14/1 NRNB (William Hill) - 0.5pts E/W

Money Dancer 20/1 NRNB (William Hill) - 0.5pts E/W

A couple of NRNB prices to get stuck into for this race. Obviously handicap marks are not out yet, but I can't see either being that high in the ratings given their current form. Both have shaped well, in differing ways, in the races they have contested and Wendrock has some winning form at least, however both need another run to get a mark, so it will be interesting to see their next entries.

Grand Annual Chase:

Unexpected Party 20/1 (Bet365) - 0.75pts E/W

Final Orders 33/1 NRNB (William Hill) - 0.5pts E/W

Last seasons winner of the race, Unexpected Party, is a bet for us at 20/1 having been campaigned, in my opinion, to get his mark down a bit. He may potentially run in the Clarence House on Saturday where I'd expect him to end up down the field, and with a bit of luck another pound or two off his back. Final Orders is one I've been keen to track. He ran a solid race in this renewal two years back, and has been running over trips I think are a little too far for him since, with a view to getting his mark down, in my opinion. He run in the race off a mark of 150, he's currently rated 135 in Ireland, so may end up racing off the high 130's in the UK, which would leave him a fair bit well in, if, and only if, his shrewd trainer can get him back to his best.

Pertemps Network Final Handicap:

Staffordshire Knot 14/1 NRNB (William Hill) - 0.75pts E/W

Henri The Second 16/1 (Bet365) - 0.5pts E/W

First off, Staffordshire Knot still needs to qualify for the race, but if he does I think he'd go with a proper chance. I suspect he's a fair animal when the handbrake is off and his mark is there to be exploited. He was a staying on 5th at Leopardstown last time out, but will now have to race in the UK to get qualified if he's going to at all. Henri The Second won as he liked in a qualifier at Sandown back in December, that was on soft going and his first try over 3m so it will be interesting to see if he can replicate that performance on better ground, should we get it for the festival. He's certainly a player, should he turn up and I'm taking the ante post price on him as opposed to the NRNB one.

Ryanair Chase:

Il Est Francais 10/1 (Ladbrokes) - 0.75pts E/W - The big questions is will he turn up and then if so, for which race? It won't be the Gold Cup, in my opinion, he's way too keen for that, but he was very unlucky not hold on at Kempton over 3m in the King George. That's a track that is generally suited to speedier staying types like Il Est Francais, and I do think at a stiffer track at Cheltenham, he'd have a very good chance dropping back a few furlongs to the Ryanair. He's one to take on trust, as he can also run stinking races, at times too, but double figures just about appeals, and he goes into our team for the race.

Stayers Hurdle:

Home By The Lee 10/1 (Unibet) - 0.75pts E/W - In a strong enough position with Teahupoo backed @ 5/2, but Home By The Lee could represent a big danger should the ground not be in our lads favour on the day. He's still a backable price at double figures, and we should take some cover with Home By The Lee, as he has looked to improve for this current season.

Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle:

Final Demand 10/1 (Betfair/PP/SkyBet) - 1pt E/W - Ran a very nice debut for connections over the Christmas period and was one I've been meaning to add, but time has got the better of me recently which means putting him up at a reduced price, but I still think that could turn out fair. He's entered in the 2m6f race at the Dublin Racing Festival and I think he could go well there before heading to the Albert Bartlett with a real chance.

County Hurdle:

Lark In The Mornin 10/1 NRNB (William Hill) - 1pt E/W

Ethical Diamond 14/1 NRNB (William Hill) - 1pt E/W

Playing the pair NRNB as either could end up in a different race, but feel they'd go to this race with a fair chance, given how they ran either last season or been campaigned this one. Not much to talk about form wise, other than they have both been tenderly handled so far. Next entries may be telling.

Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle:

Minella Sixo 16/1 (Bet365) - 1pt E/W

Karafon 14/1 NRNB (William Hill) - 1pt E/W

Another one that I just failed to get up due to lack of time before prices started moving, was Minella Sixo, but I do think this is the race for him so have advised without NRNB at a bigger price. He looks tailor made for the race, his profile is bang on and I really would like his chances should he get here in one piece. Ran some solid races behind some fair horses this season, where form looks to have worked out well. Good chance. Karafon is another I like with a very different profile though. Mostly raced over the minimum in Ireland and France, I'm fully expecting him to run at the DRF over the minimum again before stepping up in trip and going well in this race, although I wouldn't be as sure with him, so have advised the NRNB prices this time around.

That's all for now, best of luck with all your bets from now until the festival.