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Not an easy task with not knowing where everyone will be running but a bit of fun gone with
NAP
Ballyburn 13/8 (Browns Novice Chase)
He’s been a bit of a negative this season in terms of maybe not setting the world on fire after the big hype of the last couple of seasons but I fail to see what he has actually done wrong. The Kempton race was short in trip and a sharp track and last time out was always on top without having to hit top gear. Track and distance looks tailor made and I’m surprised the bookies haven’t gone odds on like they have in near enough every other raceLAY
Jonbon Odds on (Champion Chase)
I’ve actually backed Jonbon but at bigger prices than he currently is and I’m not much a layer but is Cheltenham a track that he puts his best foot forward in? Will the going be soft enough for Gaelic Warrior because if it is he’ll be running better than he has shown to date. Last year DRF to Cheltenham was a bigger job for Mullins.EACH WAY
Willy De Houelle 33/1 (Truimph Hurdle)
Doesn’t merit a place in the field on form so if he runs it would be a positive sign. Different track, pace, going could suit
has slowly been improving with runs, they messed around with his running style ie leading, tracking, held up. I get the impressing they think he is better than shown to date.Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Win nap
Familiar dreams 50s – mares novice-
Impressive winner of a grade 3 bumper in punchestown beating Mozzie’s sister despite drifting left on the run in.
Jumping is coming along and its a massive price for a horse who has won as many races as she has. Was a decent 3rd to the 3/1 favourite Maughreen without jumping well. Obviously I’m believeing she can improve past the favourite.Ew
Gibbs island – 20s triumph hurdle – showed huge improvement in jumping from debut win (2nd has gone on and won twice) to 2nd run winning a grade 2 at Haydock. Experienced horse on the flat so hopeful the occasion will be within his compass.
Lay
Teahapuoo 15/8 – absolutely hate its programme of racing and wouldn’t be confident the form it turns up in.
Hope u got lots on at the 33s for Willey de houllee
Nap
Marine Nationale Champion Chase
More than happy to take on Jonbon and Marine in my eyes is still unexposed as a chaser , I didn’t think he was given a hard race last time and that supreme win confirms his liking for Cheltenham , I’m not sure Jonbon is as happy here
Lay
Kopek Des Borders Supreme
He’ll either piss up or blowout , the reason I’ll lay him is 2 fold , he does take a pull so that leaves a question but also this looks a decent supreme , wouldn’t surprise me if he set the race up for Salvator Mundi
Each way
Allmankind Hunter chase
First horse I had marked down for the festival after Owen confirmed he was going Hunter chasing , this doesn’t look a vintage renewal and he doesn’t have many miles on the clock for his age , this has to do with him being fragile but he’s also class and is trained by a man going places , he looks in my eyes a cracking e.w bet , wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
NAP. The New Lion. Excluding the odds on shots i’ll pick this one. A mix of the right speed and stamina and some nice ground i think he’ll be too quick for them.
LAY. Kopek Des Bordes. Only put up as i had backed Salvator Mundi for this prior to the DRF so hoping the fav gets too ‘fizzy’.
EACH WAY. Salvator Mundi.
NAP
My nap would have been Panic Attack for The Mares Chase, but it looks like Plate for her. I’ll go for Banbridge in Gold Cup. Forecast is favourable at the moment, and I’m not worried about the trip. Best priced 5’s right nowLay
I’ll make a fool of myself and go for Majborough. I’m completely on board with him being best horse in the race, and I’m not mad keen on the second fav either, so a strange choice admittedly. It is though, yet another poor Arkle, and I’ll hope that Springwell Bay (not going) goes for it, and give him a race.EW
Midnight Our Fred in The Kim Muir is my biggest bet of the week by some way, but always strictly EW. Always seems to find one too good, but I can’t see him out the five. Best priced 8’s just nowNap: East India Dock. I backed him at 6/1 (screenshots can be provided if anyone doubts me). I think he should be favourite and expect him to win. (I also have him in a double with Ballyburn).
Lay: Agree with VTC about Majborough. I am not saying he cannot win but I think he is too short. Low on experience, looks like a stayer and might be vulnerable to a speedier horse. 5 year olds also have a poor record in the Arkle. I am on L’Eau Du Sud at 11/1.
Each way: Corbetts Cross in the Gold Cup. Backed him at 22/1. Unlikely to defeat GDC but I can see him staying on for a place – plenty of stayers have made the frame in the Gold Cup. I might look at the “without the favourite” market as well.
Also looking forward to Teahupoo in the Stayers (5/1 taken after last year’s festival, as posted at the time).
Good luck to everyone.
NAP
Unexpected Party. Can’t see what stops him retaining his Grand Annual crown. 9/1 with Bet365.Lay
Jonbon. Best horse in the race but he has a mistake in him and there are genuine dangers in Gaelic Warrior, Solness, Marine Nationale and Energumene.Each Way
Gemirande. Course form, will like the ground, meets most of the recent trends and is trained by Venetia who knows how to ready one. 16/1 but I reckon there will be 20s out there at some point between now and the day.Nap: Be Aware in the coral cup. I’m always a big fan of the greatwood form at the best of times anyway and this lad looked unlucky in it this year. Splitting Burdett road and dysart enos. Solid lines of form despite being beaten out of sight at Ascot and he’s got to be going close with 10st 7lb on his back.
Lay: Hmmmm. Stupidly probably but I’ve never taken to Galopin Des champs (but was admittedly impressed by his win in the race last year) and agree with VtC that Banbridge is a worthy opponent.
Each way. Country Park in whichever race he turns up in. Could easily have been coming here with an extra 10lb on his back if he’d stood up at Ascot.
Nap: East India Dock (I have him at 6/1 before his last Cheltenham race)
His last performance at Cheltenham was breathtaking. So slick over his hurdles, front running at a really relentless pace. Still had the capability to accelerate away with a little bit of hands & heels encouragement. Lulamba has to prove it at Cheltenham, something Easy India Dock has done twice.
Lay: Final Demand in the turners.
I think The New Lion will have too much pace for him on dry ground.
Ew: I’ll go for two here as I want to back the East India Dock form and I have a bigger price one.
Stencil @7.00 in the Fred Winter
He was the only one to get remotely close to East India Dock, his jumping was nice and slick and he looks like he’s got a decent mark.
No Questions Asked in the Martin Pipe @34.00
Won lto in an easy race over 2m, just to get his fifth race in. He finished ½L 2nd to Henderson’s Califet En Vol.
My nap is Heart Wood in The Ryanair, and he’s 16/1
My lay is The Big Westerner in The Albert Bartlett
My each way is Gentlemansgame around 100/1 in The Gold Cup
If the HDB yard can find form then Heart Wood would have a chance , you could argue the Ryanair is one of the most competitive graded races of the week
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
Had to change mine as jockey booking of Salvator Mundi has dampened my enthusiasm.
NAP. The New Lion. Excluding the odds on shots i’ll pick this one. A mix of the right speed and stamina and some nice ground i think he’ll be too quick for them.
LAY. Now Is The Hour. Enough against him in the National Hunt Chase.
EACH WAY. Midnight Our Fred in the Kim Muir.
Nap Gameofinches 4-1
Think Patrick has picked the wrong one. Could be special.Lay Lossiemouth 4-6
Best in the race but I don’t like changing plans. I don’t think any horse is that far ahead of the rest in any Cheltenham G1 that they can afford to go off the back of a fall and not working really well.EW Kaid d’Authie 28-1
Step up in trip maybe suit.Not very original but…
NAP: Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup) – Best horse at the Festival.
LAY: Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle)- I’m hoping Brighterdaysahead will win with her 7lb allowance.
EW: Tripoli Flyer (The Cheltenham Roar race) –
I’m a bit nervy watching horses jump but this boy I can watch all day. He
jumps for fun and loves his racing and he has a terrific finishing speed.
Having said that hope he gets round safely and if so he’ll be thereabouts.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...NAP: Marine Nationale, but only because I love him so much and he’s already a Festival winner.
LAY: Majborough has a tendency to put him self right, brush through the top and be far from fluent.
EW: In D’Or in the NH chase at 33/1. Like the trainer, the trip and the jockey (occasionally).
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