A Cheltenham Festival Lucky 15 to Break Bookies’ Hearts

The time is finally upon us. You can almost hear that famous Cheltenham roar. Yes, national hunt racing’s premier festival is here.

Despite a number of late withdrawals from this years’ leading favourites, there is much still to anticipate as we look toward a highly competitive four-day card.

While Willie Mullins dominates the majority of markets, ample room is always available to find those all-important value bets across the week – which, of course, will be sure to keep every punter on their toes.

As a week of fast action approaches – lets’ take a look at some principal fancies which will aim to break your bank accounts.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Slade Steel:

Beginning with the curtain-raiser of the festival, our first selection goes to the Henry de Bromhead trained SLADE STEEL.

A former bumper winner who made a promising start over hurdles, he was far from shamed when losing that hundred-percent record to the exceptional Ballyburn at Leopardstown last time.

Trainer has chosen to sidestep the Baring Bingham over a longer 2m 5f trip given that the aforementioned has now been declared to run there.

More than capable over both distances, this gelding has proven effective on soft ground and is open to further improvement.

Rachael Blackmore takes the ride, and has to be taken very seriously.

Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase – Gaelic Warrior:

Twice runner-up at the festival – including to Ile Atlantique in last years’ Baring Bingham, GAELIC WARRIOR is the class horse in this contest.

Comfortably accounting for fellow contender Il Etait Temps at Limerick over Christmas, he was found wanting against a superstar in waiting in the form of Fact to File when at 2m4f in Leopardstown last time.

Although roundly beaten before unseating at the last – he did produce a much cleaner round of jumping that day from that which usually skews out to the right.

Any return to his early season form would see him placed best of these. The choice of Paul Townend – expect him to bounce back with aplomb.

Champion Bumper – The Yellow Clay:

Though not a vintage champion bumper given we are without would-be favourite Jeroboam Machin, the Gordon Elliott trained THE YELLOW CLAY is the pick here.

A winner on his first two starts, he caught the eye again when finishing strongly into fourth after being badly hampered behind the aforementioned at Leopardstown last month.

Currently priced in and around 8/1, a repeat of that sort of form will have him well within the reckoning in what is a competitive contest.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Readin’ Tommy Wrong:

4 out of 4 in his career thus far, including latest when beating Ile Atlantique, Firefox and fellow contender Croke Park in the Grade 2 Lawlors’ of Naas – our selection here goes to READIN’ TOMMY WRONG.

A tough type, he ground out that latest win after tracking the leaders throughout – and based on that, a step up to over 3m should bring further progression.

Further improvement is also to be expected given that he was somewhat green in his second round over hurdles. The Mullins’ stable first choice – he is to be taken very seriously.