Join Steve Mullington for his Cheltenham Festival ante-post tips in the build up to the 2026 meeting...
Full List Of 2026 Cheltenham Festival Tips:
- Fact To File - Cheltenham Gold Cup (6/1)
- Kawaboomga - Arkle (20/1)
- Marine Nationale - Champion Chase (4/1)
- The Yellow Clay - Stayers Hurdle (8/1)
- Proactif - Triumph Hurdle (12/1)
- The New Lion - Champion Hurdle (4/1)
- Doctor Du Mesnil - Turners Novices Hurdle (14/1)
- Mydaddypaddy - Supreme Novices Hurdle (8/1)
- Sixmilebridge - Brown Advisory Novices Chase (33/1)
- Wodhooh - Mares Hurdle (4/1)
- Deep Cave - Kim Muir (25/1)
- Stumptown - Cross Country Chase (11/4)
- One Horse Town - Fred Winter (10/1)
- Bambino Fever - Mares Novice Hurdle (4/)
- Resplendent Grey - Ultima Handicap Chase (20/1)
- Il Etait Temps - Ryanair Chase (14/1)
- Bentraghhill - Champion Bumper (12/1)
- Unexpected Party - Grand Annual (14/1)
- Anzadam - County Hurdle (20/1)
- No Drama This End - Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (12/1)
- July Flower - Mares Chase (14/1)
- Koktail Divin - Jack Richards Novice Handicap Chase (14/1)
- East India Express - Coral Cup (20/1)
- Jagwar - Plate Handicap Chase (10/1)
- Now Is The Hour - National Hunt Novices Handicap Chase (12/1)
- Son Of Anarchy - Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (14/1)
- Good Boy Bobby - Hunters Chase (33/1)
- Electric Mason - Pertemps Final (14/1)
Antepost betting can be like fishing in shark infested waters, but if you do it right, you can quite often land yourself a decent catch, i.e. – your horse wins the race at odds far superior to those returned on the raceday itself.
Each week, I'll be adding to my Cheltenham Festival 2026 ante-post portfolio and you can keep track of my selections throughout the series below:
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 28
- Electric Mason (Pertemps Final @ 14/1)
The Chris Gordon-trained Electric Mason qualified for the Pertemps final when finishing second at Cheltenham in October and then won a valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock the following month.
Since then, his Cheltenham victor Ma Shantou has well and truly boosted the form after landing the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle on Festival Trials Day.
Speaking to the Racing Post in December, Gordon said: "Electric Mason will go for the Pertemps at Cheltenham. It’s got to the stage now where do I want to give him a hard run and I will probably go straight to the Pertemps now instead. We will have him nice and fresh for that."
Check out what price electric Mason is in our ante-post sports betting market.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 27
- Good Boy Bobby (Hunters Chase @ 33/1)
He may be a thirteen years old now, but Good Boy Bobby has the back class to win an event like this, despite being in the twilight of his career.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge was entered up for a three-mile open hunters’ chase the other day at Warwick, but was deemed unfit to run after being off his feed, so we haven’t actually seen him race yet in the hunter chase sphere.
Having been off since March, I dare say we will see the veteran entered in another hunter chase soon and if he was to win it then the current 33/1 available for the St James’s Place won’t last too long.
The former Rowland Meyrick winner is no stranger to winning around stiff jumps tracks such as Wetherby, Chepstow and Sandown, and he is currently a generous price in our horse racing betting.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 26
- Son Of Anarchy (Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle @ 14/1)
Trainer Gordon Elliott likes to ready one or two for the Festivals handicaps, and this JP McManus-owned seven-year-old could well be the answer to the current conundrum which is the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle.
Having landed this race for the last two seasons with Better Days Ahead And Wodhooh, Elliott will be keen to get a winner on the board for JP, and this Soldier Of Fortune-gelding could well be the plot horse he’s thinking of.
After a comfortable seven length victory in a 2m3½f handicap hurdle at Punchestown in November, he wasn’t disgraced the next time he raced when finishing a close third at Navan on Jan 17. We will next see him racing in the 3m Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) on Jan 31, which will either strength or weaken his credentials for March.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 25
- Now Is The Hour (National Hunt Novices Handicap Chase @ 12/1)
The Gavin Cromwell-trained Now Is The Hour was travelling with purpose in this race last year before coming down two fences from home.
The nine-year-old ended last season being pulled up in the Irish Grand National, then started this term with a third at Navan, finished down the field at Fairyhouse, then outran his odds at Leopardstown in the Paddy Power Chase over the Christmas period.
Cromwell’s charge is currently entered for the 3m1f Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade 3) on Thursday 21st Jan, from which he may go straight to The Festival itself, so you may want to check out our latest antepost markets before then.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 24
- Jagwar (Plate Handicap Chase @ 10/1)
Last season’s 20-runner TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase looked like one of the most competitive handicaps of The Festival but Jagwar (3-1 fav) justified his position at the head of the market to comfortably land the contest by two and three-quarter lengths under jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
Jagwar will be looking to propel himself into the Ryanair Chase picture on his return to action on Trials day at Cheltenham later this month. However, I am of the view that this Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero runner will be re-routed back to this particular Festival option after he has raced in handicap company at Cheltenham on January 24.
Once again, it may be worth having a look at our Cheltenham ante-post sports betting markets before these various trials take place.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 23
- East India Express (Coral Cup @ 20/1)
By far and away, the Cheltenham Festival Handicaps are the hardest conundrums to crack, especially at the ante-post stage.
One I do like at this juncture however is the Nicky Henderson-trained East India Express who looks the ideal type for a race such as the Coral Cup.
Seventh, beaten around the same number of lengths, in last season’s Martin Pipe Hurdle, this son of Milan then returned the following month to easily land a 2m4½f handicap hurdle at the same venue.
This term, the now seven-year-old put three indifferent runs behind him with an agonising neck defeat at Windsor on New Year’s Day.
I’m pretty sure horse is being plotted for a tilt at this cup and he’s well worth an each-way interest in our horse racing betting.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 22
- Koktail Divin (Jack Richards Novice Handicap Chase @ 14/1)
Christmas holiday scorer Koktail Divin is likely to go directly to the Cheltenham Festival following his maiden chase victory at Leopardstown on December 28.
The Barry Maloney-owned six-year-old finished second to subsequent dual Grade 1 winner Romeo Coolio on debut before chasing home Oscars Brother in a Grade 2 on his second start, before things fell right into place in a beginners’ chase when his sound jumping led him to run out a 21-length victor.
The manner of that victory was seriously impressive, with winning trainer Henry de Bromhead saying afterwards: "He ran well at Punchestown behind Oscars Brother, but we just thought that really testing ground didn’t help him over three miles. You’d be hopeful he’d be fine over three miles on nicer ground. Also, I’d say he was beaten by a good horse there, in fairness.
"The lads would love to go to Cheltenham, so I’d imagine we’ll go there, and then it’s a matter of whether we’d have a run in between. The Dublin Racing Festival is a big meeting as well, so we’ll see what everyone wants to do.
"That was nice ground and he seemed to relish it. He jumped really quickly off it as well. His jumping was spectacular. It's exciting, as he’s still young.”
Koktail Divin may also be targeted at the other novices’ event at the Festival – the Brown Advisory, so you may consider splitting your stakes at this juncture.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 21
- July Flower (Mares Chase @ 12/1)
Henry de Bromhead’s July Flower went straight into the notebooks after landing the Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham’s November meeting. After a clean round of jumping, she pulled away in the closing stages from the talented Be Aware.
She’s obviously now quoted as a 33/1 shot for the Arkle itself, but I think De Bromhead will opt for the race where she will race against her own sex – the Mares’ Chase.
Understandably, she couldn’t quite live with the relentless Romeo Coolio in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, but put up a great fight nevertheless.
Given that’s she likely to run into some powerful geldings again in the Arkle, my hunch is that connections will place her in the Mares’ contest, for which she is a generous price in our ante-post horse racing betting market.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 20
- No Drama This End (Albert Bartlett @ 12/1)
No Drama This End is becoming a talking horse after registering yet another victory, this time in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury over the festive period.
The Paul Nicholls-trained grey went off at odds-on under Harry Cobden as he came into the Grade One with two from two Grade Two victories to his name.
The strong galloper was prominent throughout and was still on the bridle in the closing stages of the race, going on to beat Klimt Madrik by a length and a quarter.
The exciting five-year-old was made 7-2 in our horse racing betting for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but he will also be given the option of running in the Albert Bartlett too, with either of those races looking like his next port of call after it was confirmed he will head straight to Prestbury Park in March.
Nicholls said after the Challow: “He just came right this week and I wanted to give him a nice bit of time off between now and the Cheltenham Festival so it has worked out beautiful and we’ll go straight there now.
“We’ll cover all options and he’ll get entries in both the Turners and the Albert Bartlett and I would say he’s just shown there how effective he is on good ground and how effective he is over the intermediate trip.
“I would say that would be his last run over hurdles and God willing if all goes to plan he’ll go chasing, jumping fences is his job and we always say what he achieves over hurdles is a bonus and with him it’s true.”
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 19
- Anzadam (County Hurdle @ 20/1)
Willie Mullins is confident Anzadam can make the grade somewhere after finishing the runner-up in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
The five-year-old took an unbeaten record to the Gosforth Park feature, but despite Constitution Hill crashing out at the second flight and The New Lion likewise two from home, Anzadam was unable to cash in and had to simply watch in vain as Golden Ace stretched away from him.
Mullins said at the time: “He ran well and I’m sure he’ll improve from it,” said the Closutton handler.
“We might just have a look at different tactics for him. Overall, I was happy enough.
“He travelled well into the race and that’s why I think he will improve. We’d be hoping for a better effort next time.”
If Anzadam doesn’t quite manage to win a Graded event between now and March, there is every reason to believe he may go handicapping, hence making him a lively contender for a race such as the County Hurdle.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 18
- Unexpected Party (Grand Annual @ 14/1)
Winner of the 2024 Grand Annual, Unexpected Party was second in the same race in 2025, and all roads appear to be leading there again in March 2026.
His Cheltenham reappearance this season caught the eye of the stewards and understandably so. Ridden by Harry Atkins, the ten-year-old jumped off towards the rear and raced in the rear division throughout before staying on gradually under tender handling from the third last fence.
Atkins was suspended for 10 days for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure his horse was run on its merits. In his two subsequent runs he finished a reason second to Steel Ally at Carlisle, but was pulled up the next time at Kelso after running a flat race.
Dan Skelton’s grey will be an eleven-year-old by the time The Festival comes around, but you just know he’s going to be a factor in the finish.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 17
- Bentraghhill (Champion Bumper @ 12/1)
Hailing from the Coolmore Stud, Bentraghhill made a winning start under Rules at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.
The four-year-old finished third in a point-to-point at Fairyhouse in April before being sold to Willie Mullins for €150,000 in May.
Ridden by Jody Townend, Bentraghhill took up the lead in the closing stages to score by four and a quarter lengths from Nine Toes at the line.
Mullins said: “I was expecting that. I was amazed Patrick didn't make it back from Limerick to ride him here. He'd shown me plenty at home and I was very happy.
"He's a nice type, a big chasing type and I'm very happy with him. He'll stay in bumpers and go jumping next season."
The winner was immediately installed as the 12/1 favourite in our horse racing betting for the Cheltenham bumper next March. Jody Townend herself won the 2025 Cheltenham bumper on Bambino Fever, so she will be hoping that she can keep up the association with the Getaway-gelding for the rest of the season.
On the other side of his pedigree, Bentraghhill is out of the Definite Article mare Itsalark, dam of the Grade 2-winning hurdler Party Central, and the Grade 3 winner Craigneiche.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 16
- Il Etait Temps (Ryanair Chase @ 14/1)
Tingle Creek hero Il Etait Temps has failed to shine at three previous Cheltenham Festivals, but you would like to think this season will be different based upon that Sandown demolition job.
The Willie Mullins’ charge finished fifth to Vauban in the 2022 Triumph Hurdle before coming fifth again behind Marine Nationale in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2023.
Last March Il Etait Temps came third behind stablemate Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle but there is a feeling amongst his connections that his win at Sandown makes him an altogether better horse in the division as it stands, which ultimately could lead to a possible appearance in the Ryanair Chase 2026.
Speaking to the Sporting Life recently, Patrick Mullins (assistant trainer) said: "I'd imagine he'll follow all those top-class, two-mile chasers from now. Whether he goes back (to Leopardstown) at Christmas, we'll see how he comes out of the race but I'd imagine Leopardstown at Christmas, the DRF and onto Cheltenham. He's won at Aintree and Punchestown."
Now that Willie Mullins’ seven-year-old now sits as the clear favourite for the Champion Chase, it would probably be prudent to have a back-up punt on him in the Ryanair Chase too.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 15
- Resplendent Grey (Ultima Handicap Chase @ 20/1)
Resplendent Grey started his jumps campaign last season with a victory over fences at Uttoxeter, before ending it with an amazing display of stamina in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown Park.
He’d actually given us an earlier indication that he was a thorough stayer when keeping on into fourth in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase at The Festival.
This season, the seven-year-old grey got off to a flying start, doggedly winning the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle, with everything looking rosy for the rest of the campaign. However, he had a disappointing run in the Coral Gold Cup, finishing 11th after an unfavourable standing start scuppered his chances from the word go. He was well fancied in our horse racing betting that day too.
His trainer Olly Murphy expressed his frustration with the start procedure, noting it disadvantaged certain horses- including his.
Speaking about the future race planning for his star grey, Murphy said “I’ve got to have a chat with the owner and Sean Bowen has gone down the lines of he might be a horse we should run in a smaller field and something like the Denman Chase, but there are also other handicap options for him.
“The Classic Chase at Warwick maybe and there’s staying handicaps elsewhere but we will freshen him up for a month, see where we are and we won’t make any decisions just yet.”
Resplendent Grey looks very much like an Ultima type and I would chance an ante-post each-way bet on him at this juncture.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 14
- One Horse Town (Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle @ 10/1)
Currently known as the Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, the “Fred Winter” is always an exciting contest and the current ante-post market is wide open at present.
Harry Derham’s One Horse Town is already a four-time hurdle winner, and he just keeps getting better race by race.
The son of Threat faced his stiffest test to date at Cheltenham last time but rose to the occasion, winning a Triumph Trial in the process.
“One Horse Town is going to run at Cheltenham this weekend (Dec 12/13),” said Derham.
“I thought, and I was anticipating, that Cheltenham in November would take a lot out of him but he has bounced out of it.
If the three-year-old doesn’t make it to Cheltenham for the forthcoming December fixture, I’m pretty sure Derham will give the youngster a long rest before picking up The Festival trail again.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 13
- Bambino Fever (Mares Novice Hurdle @ 4/1)
The meteoric rise of Bambino Fever was one of the fairytale stories of the last jumps campaign, and the Willie Mullins-trained mare can give the O'Connell Morgan Syndicate plenty more excitement this season too.
The daughter of Jukebox Jury landed an Irish point-to-point, before clocking up a four-timer that included memorable victories in the Champion Bumpers at Cheltenham and Punchestown.
Novice hurdling will be next for her, with Mullins recently declaring, “She’s got a huge engine and is a lovely big mare. I’d be hard-pressed to think of a mare better than her.”
At his pre-season open day, the Irish training maestro said of Bambino Fever, “I’m always a believer to look at the races you can win rather than be an unlucky loser so I’d imagine we’ll go down the mares route, but if she looks like she needs a trip we could go to the Ballymore. I’d be hard pressed to think of a mare better than her.”
She’s yet to race this season, but a quick perusal of the Irish horse racing calendar sees her as early entry into the 2m Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) at Leopardstown on December 27th.
Obviously connections will plan from there, but I would say at this stage of the season, she’s a prime candidate to run in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival and is worth a look in our sports betting.
Suggested bets:
Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle – One Horse Town @ 10/1 (E/W)
Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – Bambino Fever @ 4/1 (WIN)
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 12
- Stumptown (Cross Country Handicap Chase @ 11/4)
I can assure you, odds of 11/4 in our horse racing betting will look massive about the Gavin Cromwell-trained Stumptown when he wins his customary hack around Cheltenham’s sat-nav busting cross country course.
The William Hill ambassador revealed recently that Velka Pardubicka winner Stumptown is unlikely to run in this season’s Grand National, with the 2025 Cross Country hero being aimed at defending his Cheltenham Festival crown.
The trip to the Czech Republic and back took some doing, so Cromwell will be resting the near nine-year-old for some time yet, with the task of getting him back to the Cheltenham Festival being the end goal for this season.
He ran in the Grand National after Cheltenham last season, but the Aintree marathon is not really on the itinerary for him this time, and he’s likely to bypass it.
Nothing is certain, but it’s not high up on his list of races for the season. That’s more the reason to get stuck into him in the ante-post betting for March 2026.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 11
- Deep Cave (Kim Muir Handicap Chase @ 25/1)
When the Christian Williams-trained Deep Cave went an won the 3m Weatherbys and Birdie Calendars Handicap Chase at Bangor in November, he certainly went down in my tracker as a horse that could pick up a big chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Deep Cave had actually come to my attention back in April when he came from out of nowhere, to land the 3m William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle on Grand National Day at Aintree.
Staying on well in the closing stages in soft conditions, the seven-year-old beat a decent field of dour chasers that day at Bangor, many of whom had won their fair share of races at a higher level.
If he does eventually head to The Festival, he will either be targeted at the Kim Muir or the Ultima. He’s currently priced at 25/1 for both, but the Kim Muir does tend to be the slightly weaker race in terms of the annual entries, and I believe Williams would enter him in that.
All these probable’s and maybe’s will ultimately come down to how he performs in the Becher Chase at Aintree on December 6th. If he doesn’t win that race, but runs well into a place, Williams may well put the Grand National to the back of his thoughts, and plot a route to Prestbury Park.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 10
- Wodhooh (Mares Hurdle @ 4/1)
Wodhooh is a steady 4/1 shot in our horse racing betting market for the Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at The Festival after winning in Graded company for the first time in the Ascot Hurdle.
With Lossiemouth looking as though she will be heading to the Champion Hurdle, the door potentially comes wide open for Wodhooh to land the Mares' Hurdle, although the Stayers' Hurdle has also been banded around as a possible target.
After her success in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at last season's festival, Wodhooh ran well behind Lossiemouth in Grade 1 company at Aintree in April, and opened up this season with a late surgery victory over Celtic Dino.
Trainer Gordon Elliott said after the race: “She’s a good mare and where she’ll end up I’m not quite sure, but she keeps winning, so I’m delighted.
“We knew they were going to go quick up front on that ground so we said we would take our time, but I just liked the attitude she showed to quicken going down over the last, it was great.
“She’s good and we’re lucky to have her. We’ll get her home now and have a chat about what we do next, I’m not too sure yet.
“Today was the plan and she’s done great, so I’m delighted.”
If she can avoid Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Hurdle, then you would like to think you’re sitting pretty on a betting slip that has Wodhooh at 4/1 on it.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 9
- Sixmilebridge (Brown Advisory Novices Chase @ 33/1)
Punters looking for a speculative each-way longshot in the Cheltenham ante-post markets might want to give Fergal O’Brien’s Sixmilebridge the once over.
After being a serial non-runner on the account of the ground in recent weeks, the six-year-old finally got the green light to compete at Ayr and duly won a three-runner 2m4½f beginners' chase.
This victory came over two and a half miles and Sixmilebridge was need to move up to three miles and the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
However, O’Brien is open over which trip his gelding may run over
“We haven’t made too many plans other than to try to get today out of the way first,” continued O’Brien.
“I’ll speak to Kielan (Woods, jockey) and Mr and Mrs Megson (owners) and try make a plan of where to go next."
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 8
- Mydaddypaddy (Supreme Novices Hurdle @ 8/1)
Mydaddypaddy was made the clear 8/1 favourite in our horse racing betting for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after an impressive debut victory over hurdles at Carlisle.
Trainer Dan Skelton was pleased with the four-year-old's return to action, after he came from the back of the pack to easily pull four and a half lengths clear of his rivals at the business end of proceedings.
Mydaddypaddy was already prominent in the betting for next March, after romping home in a bumper at Huntingdon by 11 lengths, but was duly cut down to 8/1 from 14/1 after his success in Cumbria.
Dan Skelton said to Racing TV: “I tried my hardest not to run him last season because he was only four. To be fair, Dermot who owns him put no pressure on to run but was itching to see him run because our reports have been quite favourable. He was so ready, he was naturally ready and I almost couldn’t hold him back.
“He’s only as fit as all my novices are. I did explain to Dermot that he may take a blow and if he got beat, then he got beat, but it was class that got him through in the end.
"There was a bit of pressure because you want to go and see a nice clear round, but, with the support of the owners, we build into the season rather than set the fireworks off early, with the novices especially, which is a very helpful position to be in."
Before the big one at Cheltenham in March, Skelton will probably have a tilt at Grade 1 company in the Formby Novices' Hurdle on Boxing Day.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 7
- Doctor Du Mesnil (Turners Novices Hurdle @ 14/1)
Doctor Du Mesnil has only appeared once on the racecourse for Willie Mullins, but the impression that he made was a lasting one in my opinion.
He was an 11-length winner of a Cork bumper back in April, leaving dual-bumper runner-up Thedeviluno floundering in behind.
Mullins trained Kopek Des Bordes to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival 2025 and Doctor Du Mesnil is very much in the same mould as him. He is currently marked up at a 14/1 shot in our sports betting market for the 2m5f race.
Jockey Jody Townend said after the race: “He’s going to be a good horse. He’s so relaxed, you can ride him anyway you want and he’s a different horse on grass compared to even at home.
"He picked up in two strides and I knew I had them covered. If he can get off the ground at all over a jump, I’d say he will be a very good horse.”
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 6
- The New Lion (Champion Hurdle @ 4/1)
Unbeaten under rules, The New Lion is gearing up for a campaign aimed at landing the 2026 Champion Hurdle. This revelation is nothing new, and it has been signposted to punters for some time now.
After a few strolls in the park last season, the Cheltenham Festival was the obvious next target and, after a change of ownership to JP McManus, it was decided that The New Lion would be entered in the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Hurdle.
The New Lion then sauntered home in that race to record the biggest victory of his career thus far.
Trainer Dan Skelton earlier confirmed that the six-year-old would kick start this new season with a visit to the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, setting up a potential clash with Constitution Hill.
Currently trading at a 4/1 shot in our antepost horse racing betting market, I cannot see that price lasting too long should he win at Gosforth Park.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 5
- Proactif (Triumph Hurdle @ 12/1)
JP McManus and Willie Mullins have teamed up to purchase yet another French recruit in the shape of Proactif.
Back in September, the three-year-old son of Masked Marvel won by six lengths going away in an 18-runner field at Auteuil, and he looked like a very forward horse based on that run alone.
Pundit Mark Howard, author of the annual “One Jump Ahead” publication, wrote of Proactif in his book: “Ireland’s champion trainer was reportedly quick off the mark and secured the gelding for a hefty six-figure sum from a stable who have supplied him with some top-class ammunition in recent years, namely Majborough and State Man.
A big, scopey individual, he could be very smart and develop into a household name.
Expect him to make his Irish debut in a Graded contest after Christmas before a tilt at the Triumph Hurdle.”
It’s also interesting to note that Masked Marvel, sired 2024 Festival Stayers' Hurdle winner Teahupoo, so hopes are high that the same greatness can rub off on this runner.
Another significant point about this purchase was that McManus already had two other leading lights for the Triumph in the shape of Manlaga and Narciso Has, but he still decided to go ahead and buy Proactif as well, so the horse really must have captured his imagination.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 4
- The Yellow Clay (Stayers Hurdle @ 8/1)
This race is often a wide open betting heat, and it does make sense to take a position on it now, and certainly before Christmas.
In recent times Gordon Elliott has been the hot trainer to follow in the contest, saddling two of the last three winners of the Stayers' and had the second and third in last March’s renewal.
There are early indications from Elliott that he will be targeting the Stayers’ with The Yellow Clay.
The Bective Stud-owned six-year-old was only beaten ¾ of a length by The New Lion at The Festival, and that horse is now one of the market leaders in the Champion Hurdle, so you have to give The Yellow Clay some sort of a leading chance too in whichever race he goes for at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
Elliott plans to run this son of Yeats in the 2m1f Bottlegreen Hurdle (Listed) at Down Royal on Friday 31st October.
At the time of writing, seven runners are entered for the contest and The Yellow Clay looks like being one of the principle runners in the betting. If he wins, his price is sure to trimmed for the Stayers’ Hurdle next March.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 3
- Marine Nationale (Champion Chase @ 4/1)
An obvious starting point for the Queen Mother Champion Chase is the 2025 winner, Marine Nationale, who scored by a slightly misleading 18 lengths after the late departure of his nearest rival.
It was however an excellent effort, and he will be hoping to emulate both Altior and Energumene in doubling up the following season.
With Barry Connell’s charge having only run 12 times in his life, Connell is confident he has not yet reached his peak.
He added: “He’s still very lightly-raced. We got held up the season before last with the suspensory injury, but that’s in the past now and he seems to be better than ever.
“The programme is there after the Fortria – Leopardstown at Christmas, the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham and Punchestown.”
The Fortria Chase takes place at Navan on November 15th, so you may want to place your Cheltenham antepost bets well before then.
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 2
- Fact To File (Cheltenham Gold Cup @ 6/1)
Fact To File’s odds for the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup have been shortening month after month, based mainly upon his dominant victory in the 2025 Ryanair Chase.
The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old has proven form at The Festival, registering two Grade 1 wins, including the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.
He totally dominated the Ryanair Chase, romping away to a nine-length victory, showing a high cruising speed and excellent jumping ability.
Jockey Mark Walsh reckoned there was still plenty of stamina reserves left, meaning there is every reason to believe that a step up to the Gold Cup distance of 3m2½ furlongs, will suit.
Coupled with Mullins’ magnificent record in the Gold Cup, it is easy to see why the momentum is building up behind him for the 2026 Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Industry tipster Tom Segal – better known as 'Pricewise', said after the Ryanair for two years running now that he thought he’d seen a wonder horse win at Cheltenham – and it was Fact To File both times.
“Fact To File was just different class in the Ryanair. I can't think of many winners ever who travelled, jumped and sprinted clear like he did with his ears pricked. The time was superb and he didn't come off the bridle.
"That was a class above what I'd seen from him previously this season and if in the same form I'd back him to win any race he runs in next season.
"He certainly wouldn't be out of place in the Champion Chase, but I reckon he'll be given a shot at the Gold Cup – and on good ground he'd win it.”
Cheltenham Festival Ante Post Tip 1
- Kawaboomga (Arkle Chase @ 20/1)
Kawaboomga suffered a training setback just three weeks short of the Cheltenham Festival last year, and was forced to sit out the remainder of that season.
The strong Festival fancy was an impressive maiden hurdle winner over William Munny at Fairyhouse, and had appeared to be among Willie Mullins' top novices heading over to Prestbury Park.
The JP McManus-owned five-year-old was sadly unable to make the trip across the Irish Sea for either the Supreme or the Turners Novices' Hurdle on account of his injury.
Speaking in last February, McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry, said: “Unfortunately Kawaboomga has had a setback and will miss the rest of the season.
“He’s a grand, big horse and it’s disappointing, but hopefully all being well we’ll have him back for the autumn.”
Of course it’s nigh on impossible to second guess Willie Mullins’ intentions for Kawaboomga this season, but given that JP has potential Champion Hurdle contenders already, there is every chance that this green and gold candidate will go chasing, with the Arkle being his ultimate goal.
When is the Cheltenham Festival?
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 will take place between Tuesday 10th and Friday 13th March.
This year Cheltenham Racecourse will celebrate 102 years of the Gold Cup, the pinnacle event of the National Hunt calendar.
This is the one race they all long to win and every horse, jockey, trainer, breeder, owner and racing fan will have their sights set on the Cotswolds.
Four breathtaking days of top class action will see a total of 28 races contested and numerous champions crowned.
There will be plenty of interest in the horse racing betting too that week. So, what can we expect each day at the Cheltenham Festival?
DAY 1 – Champion Day (10th March)
The Grade 1 Supreme Hurdle raises the curtain to the Cheltenham Festival with a famous roar. Last year we saw Kopek des Bordes land the spoils for popular trainer Willie Mullins.
The feature race of the day is the Champion Hurdle and last year Golden Ace secured one of the shocks of the season to give trainer Jeremy Scott a sensational victory.
DAY 2 – Festival Wednesday (11th March)
Marine Nationale was a poignant winner of the 2025 Queen Mother Champion Chase and he sets the standard in the two-mile division, though the likes of Majborough and Sir Gino, returning from injury, are obvious dangers to his crown.
Lecky Watson took advantage of a dramatic Brown Advisory Novices Chase to give Willie Mullins another big-race winner and connections will be targeting the Cheltenham Gold Cup with him this season. He will prove to be a popular pick in the Cheltenham betting odds.
DAY 3 – St Patrick’s Thursday (12th March)
The Cheltenham Festival is a second home to the Irish and St Patrick’s Thursday reflects this both on and off the track. The day itself features the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers Hurdle.
And the Irish had cause for celebration in 2025, with Fact To File bolting up in the Ryanair before a 1-2 for Robcour with Bob Olinger beating Teahupoo in the Stayers race.
DAY 4 – Gold Cup Day (13th March)
The day features the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the blue riband race of jumping. The pre-race tension, the exhilaration of the race and the jubilations afterwards make it a truly remarkable day.
The 2025 renewal was won by the Gavin Cromwell-trained Inothewayurthinkin and many will fancy him to go on and retain his crown next spring. Can Galopin Des Champs defy the odds and return to win a third Gold Cup? Only time will tell.
Cheltenham 2026 Tips
We'll be here with daily tips on the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, with our horse racing expert analysing every race at this year's meeting. You can find Cheltenham tips for each day via the links below:
- Cheltenham Day 1 Tips
- Cheltenham Day 2 Tips
- Cheltenham Day 3 Tips
- Cheltenham Day 4 Tips
How do you get to the Cheltenham Festival?
By Road: Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH
By Rail: The nearest train station is Cheltenham Spa. There is a dedicated Races bus service for the Cheltenham Festival from Cheltenham Spa Railway Station.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Adobe*
*Prices correct at the time of writing*
