The Cheltenham Festival is now just over a month away and with 27 races to watch there will be some favorites to justify the hype.
In fact, 12 favorites won last year and 2023 could have a similar rate.
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Nico de Boinville celebrates winning the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Constitution Hill on day one of the Cheltenham Racing Festival in 2022
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With betting options open for one of the biggest weeks in horse racing, there is still value to be won.
In previous years, many of the big Grade 1 races seemed decided before March, but now there are open contests all the way through with just a few big favorites that really inspire hope to justify short prize money.
Cheltenham Festival Racing Tips
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Overview and Advice
Easy Vega 4/5
Last year, Constitution Hill was a top contender in this race and ended up as a 9/4 favorite, but few expected how easily the hurdler would win.
Now Easy Vega is priced much shorter at first and for good reason.
But there are also a few overpriced runners who might prove tough to beat given their winning streaks and outstanding abilities.
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CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND – MARCH 16: Patrick Mullins on Easy Vega wins the Weatherbys Champion Bumper on day two of the Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 16, 2022 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Easy Vega, coached by Willie Mullins, has every chance of winning the Cheltenham Festival opener and remains unbeaten across six races.
Win only two hurdles and four flats, including three Tier 1 races, while being the heavy favorite.
The six-year-old has an exceptional pedigree that plays a major role in that winning, Quevega, and Walk In The Park mentality.
But Paul Nicholls’ Tahmuras looks a potential danger and is also unbeaten over hurdles, including the Tolworth Novices at Sandown earlier in January.
Champion Hurdle Overview and Tip
Constitution Hill 4/11
A few months ago, there was just better than the events on Constitution Hill, before he cemented his abilities in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Christmas Hurdle in November and December.
Winning both by a wide margin to the great Grade 1 winner Spooky back in second place.
He went from a score of 148 to 173 in those three races and remains a horse that has incredible stamina and cruising speed.
Overview and advice from Ryanair Chase
Allaho 6/4
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Allaho, with Paul Townend, on his way to winning the Ryanair Chase on day three of the Cheltenham Racing Festival
It’s rare to find ultra regular horses, especially at the top level, but Allaho seems to be the one.
The nine-year-old now has four wins out of four beating Fakir D’oudairies by 12 lengths, Janidil by 14 and Clan Des Obeaux by 14 also in April 2022.
He hasn’t been rushed or risked since and won’t mind the long break and should continue to be the regular Year 1 winner.
Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Overview and Tip
Lucia 5/2
Luccia is a promising upper court mare from Seven Barrows, trained by Nicky Henderson.
She has already won three of the three rules races, including her first hurdles win at Newbury in November.
She is part of the court that is highly regarded, just like Constitution Hill last year.
There is still a long way to go, but her victory with the class 1 mares was comfortable and she can only improve in her next races.
Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup
Field Scamp 13/8
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Galopin Des Champs, with Paul Townend, jumps into the Turners Novices’ Chase on day three of the Cheltenham Racing Festival
The showpiece and biggest race of all sees a decent price on another favorite, Galopin Des Champs, also trained by Mullins.
The now seven-year-old was all but assured of victory last year in Turners Novice Pursuit, but fell dramatically on the final fence that handed Bob Olinger the win.
Galopin was 12 lengths from the good by jumping the last one and would undeniably have increased this lead if he had jumped it successfully.
He showed his true potential in April by winning at Fairyhouse by 18 lengths.
Before beating even tougher rivals next time at Punchestown in December, winning by 13 lengths against Fakir D’oudairies.
Now ranked 175, there doesn’t seem to be a top favorite at odds throughout the festival.
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All odds correct at time of writing
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