Cheltenham Festival Tips

Rapidly-improving type, who's impressed when winning at Ascot the last twice. He's one of the best novices we've seen so far this season, and the market seems to have underestimated his abilities compared with his more-fancied stablemate Fiddlerontheroof.

Caught the eye when bolting up on chasing debut at Haydock last month, and although it was only in modest circumstances, he showed a good aptitude for his new discipline. We'll learn more about him when he steps up in grade - perhaps in the Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster next - but in the meantime he looks overpriced for the Arkle as a 25/1 shot.

Was unable to make a winning reappearance in last month's International Hurdle at Cheltenham, but went like the best horse for 90% of that, before fading. He'll strip fitter for that, and has drifted out to a nice price bearing in mind that he would have serious claims on the form he showed to win last season's Triumph Hurdle.

With the Champion Hurdle looking particularly wide-open, it may be worth picking out one at a double-figure price each-way, namely Petit Mouchoir. He was a dual Grade 1-winner over hurdles back in 2016/17, and although his form has been rather patchy since, he's produced excellent efforts to hit the frame in Grade 1 level the last twice. He's still only a nine-year-old, meaning he could yet find more, and if at his peak once again he could well be good enough to hit the frame at the very least at a massive price. 

With several of the market protagonists likely to head elsewhere, it could be worth siding with this progressive mare, who has twice won over the course and distance at Cheltenham. This seems her most likely port of call, and she offers plenty of value at a double-figure price.

Talented and popular mare, who's enjoyed a fine last couple of years, winning a string of valuable races against her own sex. The latest came in a pulsating mares' chase at Doncaster over Christmas, and her versatility means that the switch back to timber wouldn't be an issue. Several of those ahead of her seem likely to head elsewhere, and though she's not absolutely certain to take her chance here herself, there's value to be had about her price each-way - either at the 20/1 on offer, or at 14/1 with non-runner, no bet.

Has shown plenty in his four starts over fences so far, winning twice and taking the notable scalp of Pym at Huntingdon in November. He's since held his own on two separate occasions in Grade 2 company, and although he'd have to shoulder top weight here, this looks the logical port of call. Connections have hinted that this is the plan, and he could well be a much shorter price on the day if taking his chance.

Carries familiar colours, but looked a good prospect in his own right when notching up two highly impressive wins at Ascot and Cheltenham of late. He's ready for a step up in grade, and is quickly putting himself into the picture for the RSA Chase.

Taken advantage of an opening in the division to drop back in trip from two and a half miles to the minimum distance, and it's paid dividends, racking off wins in the Shloer Chase and the Tingle Creek so far. While the majority of those in the running for this have faltered, Defi Du Seuil has thrived, and he's now very much the one to beat.

Got off the mark over fences at the second time of asking when scoring at the December Meeting at Cheltenham, looking good value for more than the length and a quarter defeat of Good Boy Bobby on ground that was plenty soft for him. The Marsh Novices' Chase isn't looking the strongest bearing in mind that the market is currently headed by a 12-year-old, and there's plenty of value around his double-figure price.

A host of the entries for the Ryanair Chase have multiple engagements at the time of writing, including Min, though there's plenty of reasons to think he will head here. He's been the bridesmaid to Altior for a long time, but his best form has arguably come at two and a half miles, something he showed when demolishing the field in the Melling Chase at Aintree last April. He's since won on reappearance over the same trip in the John Durkan Memorial Chase, and, as a five-time Grade 1 winner, he'd take all the beating if lining up - and looks a generous price to do so.

Emerged onto the scene as a potential candidate for this race when running out a game winner of the Liverpool Hurdle last April, and he's since made a winning reappearance over a shorter trip in the Ascot Hurdle in November. He's got proven stamina and a tremendous attitude, and he offers plenty of value at the prices up against Paisley Park.

Talented novice hurdler from last term, who finished third in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival. We haven't seen him yet this season, but his yard are more than capable of readying a smart type after an absence, and he looks over-priced as an each-way proposition at the 33/1 mark.

Classy operator, who was good enough to win the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown as a novice last term. He missed last year's Festival through injury, and although his two runs this season haven't necessarily gone to plan, he's beginning to slip down the weights and now looks attractively handicapped. He looks tailor made for this race, and his price could prove to be significantly shorter on the day.

Represents a handler who is enjoying a fine season, and has shown plenty so far, winning two of his four starts. The form of his effort to finish third in a Grade 2 event at Doncaster in December is working out well, and his price looks far too big, particularly if conditions come up soft.

Runner-up in the RSA Chase last season, Santini produced a workmanlike performance on his comeback run at Sandown Park, where he narrow edged out Now Mcginty in a Listed event. However, it's Cheltenham where he will show his best work, and the Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old is tailor-made for the energy-sapping nature of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Seven Barrows inmate is the one to be with in a wide open renewal.