ULTIMATE CHELTENHAM BETTING GUIDE: Paddy Power’s consultants, together with Ruby Walsh, identify their greatest bets and outsiders to again throughout the 4 days of the Festival
The Cheltenham Festival roars into action next Tuesday and everybody has an opinion about which horse to back in which race.
Paddy Power‘s top team of racing experts RUBY WALSH, LYDIA HISLOP, TONY MULLINS and JOHNNY DINEEN will point you in the right direction every day.
Here are their top picks.
Day 1 (Tuesday, March 10)
SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘There’s great strength in it. I’d want something bigger than 2/1.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘There’s plenty of pace on. It’s going to be well run and that’ll put some pressure on Talk The Talk’s jumping.’
Tony Mullins: ‘If you worry about anything’s jumping, El Cairos hasn’t shown any indication that he learned anything from day one to day two. Leader d’Allier was massively impressive the last day at Punchestown. He’s run eight times in his life and he’s only been beaten twice – and that was the twice he didn’t wear a tongue-tie.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘It’s a deep race and at least one or more will be better than Old Park Star.’
ARKLE CHASE
Ruby Walsh: ‘Kopek Des Bordes is the best horse in the race. I think he’ll win.’
The New Lion has been tipped to claim the Champion Hurdle on the first day of the Festival
Lydia Hislop: ‘At the prices, I’d back Kopek Des Bordes. He’s a good enough horse to win the Arkle off the back of one race. We know it’s not impossible and we know this is a good horse. The four quick early fences in pairs of two could get Lulamba and Romeo Coolio on the back foot. Steel Ally could hit the frame.’
Tony Mullins: ‘Kargese is a favourite of mine. She’s very good and tough. She’s not just a pacemaker, she stays there.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘I’d slightly favour Lulamba. He has that bit more experience. He’s a percentage call. Kopek Des Bordes has had a few niggles.’
JUVENILE HANDICAP HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘The handicapper hasn’t missed Saratoga. He could well win it but I’d want better odds. Winston Junior has a chance but there’s talk of him running in the Triumph. La Luna Artista absolutely bolted up in the Adonis and she’d be the one for me.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘Mustang Du Breuil finished third against older horses in a Grade 2 at Kempton. He ran really well and finished off nicely. It’s in off 129 and has every bit as good a chance as those at shorter prices.’
ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE
Ruby Walsh: ‘I’ll be with Iroko. It’ll effectively be a limited handicap so he’s not going to be giving too much weight away.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘We know Iroko handles Cheltenham. It’ll be an ideal test. We know he’s a good horse and we haven’t always seen what he’s capable of. He’s going to win it, isn’t he?’
Johnny Dineen: ‘Jagwar and Iroko are smart horses. It’s a weak race and one of these two will win. If they both run, I’d go for Iroko.’
CHAMPION HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘I always saw Lossiemouth as a two-and-a-half-mile mare. Brighterdaysahead will be reliant on the ground. She’ll want a good cut in the ground. There’s the odd issue jumping-wise with The New Lion, but he could be the best horse.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘I’d probably be inclined towards Brighterdaysahead because she’s the best horse in the race given the mares’ allowance. The horse that will run her race is Golden Ace. If you fancy a horse to finish in the first three, surely she does?’
Tony Mullins: ‘I don’t think Lossiemouth will win. I’ve never seen her as a champion hurdler. Golden Ace is the reliable one, but I think Brighterdaysahead will win.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘If I had to back one horse at the meeting at 2/1 or bigger, I’d go for The New Lion. If he avoids back luck, I think he’s a good thing in this race. He’s probably my best bet of the meeting.’
TRUSTATRADER FESTIVAL PLATE HANDICAP CHASE
Lydia Hislop: ‘Madara has the form from last season. He’s caught the eye both time this term, but he’s found in the market. Waterford Whispers still has potential to fulfil over fences so I think he’s better than his mark.’
Tony Mullins: ‘I’m hearing about Waterford Whispers coming back into form.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘Madara and Mclaurey are a cut above these. I’ll take a chance on Mclaurey.’
NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
Ruby Walsh: ‘Wade Out’s crying out for a trip. I’ve no worries about him staying. He’d be the one for me.’
Cheltenham Festival Day 2 (Wednesday, March 11)
TURNERS NOVICES’ HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘I’d put Mighty Park in this instead of the Supreme. I like No Drama This End. He looked a fabulous specimen in the parade ring at Cheltenham. I could see him winning a Gold Cup down the line, but I’m not sure about this. King Rasko Grey could be a big runner if he went here. Talk The Talk would also be a massive runner here.’
Tony Mullins: ‘Willie has a bunch of beautiful horses without having a real one so No Drama This End would look quite a good thing.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘If Mighty Park doesn’t run in this, I still think No Drama This End could be vulnerable and something will beat him.’
Majborough is heavily fancied to win the Champion Chase by Paddy Power’s team of experts
BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES’ CHASE
Ruby Walsh: ‘It depends what Final Demand you get. The horse that was in Navan looked a good horse, the one we’ve seen the twice since hasn’t. I like Kaid d’Authie. The penny’s starting to drop.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘I like The Big Westerner. I love the way she attacks her fences. A proper test of stamina will see improved form from her. I can also see Wendigo running well.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘The Big Westerner’s ground dependent. She’s a very good horse. I’d go with Wendigo each-way. He’s a solid horse. It’s competitive, but I’m not sure there’s a Gold Cup horse in it. I couldn’t have Final Demand.’
CORAL CUP
Ruby Walsh: ‘Storm Heart’s a massive chance if he runs here. He’s a cracking little horse.’
GLENFARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY HANDICAP CHASE
Lydia Hislop: ‘Favori De Champdou’s likely to win it. If Stumpton does run then he’ll force a lot of horses out of the handicap.’
CHAMPION CHASE
Ruby Walsh: ‘Majborough will be very hard to follow.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘I put up Majborough at 6s, and I think he’s the likeliest winner of the race. I suspect Quilixios is overpriced.’
Tony Mullins: ‘I think Majborough is going to come out on top.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘I fancy Majborough pretty strongly.’
GRAND ANNUAL
Ruby Walsh: ‘Downmexicoway was good at Gowran Park earlier in the season.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘I’m just warily looking at Libberty Hunter. I’m going to make my mind up on the day based on whether he’s there or not.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘I’d nearly always go for one that’s on the way up, and I’d go for Vanderpoel. He’s definitely a smart horse.’
CHAMPION BUMPER
Ruby Walsh: ‘Keep Him Company’s overpriced.’
Tony Mullins: ‘Love Sign d’Aunou was massively impressive. I’d imagine this lad is the one.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘It’s Only A Game is a good horse. I think he’ll run well here. He has to behave better than at the DRF.’
Cheltenham Festival Day 3 (Thursday, March 12)
MARES’ NOVICES’ HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘Bambino Fever has improved a good bit fitness-wise and that should see her turning the tables with Oldschool Outlaw.’
Tony Mullins: ‘Bambino Fever is the bet of the meeting.’
JACK RICHARDS NOVICES’ HANDICAP CHASE
Ruby Walsh: ‘I think this race is made for Koktail Divin. I don’t think he’ll get the trip in the Brown Advisory.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘Meetmebythesea will win this. This is my strongest opinion of the entire meeting.’
Tony Mullins: ‘One I fancy here is Sixmilebridge. He looks to me to be nicely handicapped for a Grade One winner already and he’s reliable. Three runs over fences and he’s won all three of them.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘Meetmebythesea might be 150 horse himself. I think he’s a great chance.’
MARES HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘I think it’s the right race for Lossiemouth. If you’re thinking Lossiemouth might go to the Champion, I could see Jade de Grugy coming back here then and she’s maybe the play non runner no bet. I think she’d be shorter than 9/2 if she runs here with no Lossiemouth or Brighterdaysahead. Lossiemouth would win if she runs here.’
Tony Mullins: ‘Gordon is very bullish about this Wodhooh. She’s obviously better than what I seem to be seeing, you know, because I think Lossiemouth is the best of these.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘It’ll be close if Lossiemouth and Wodhooh face off. Lossiemouth’s every bit as good as Brighterdaysaahead, but whether she’s right after a really hard race at the DRF is another thing. I’d just about favour Wodhooh, but it would be little or nothing in it.’
PADDY POWER STAYERS’ HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘I think Teahupoo will have to commit early and that will leave him a little bit vulnerable to something coming at him and I think Honesty Policy could mug him. Ma Shantou is a big runner as well.’
Tony Mullins: ‘I can’t see anything getting near Teahupoo.’
RYANAIR CHASE
Ruby Walsh: ‘Fact To File or Gaelic Warrior, whichever one of the two runs here will be way shorter than 4/7.’
Tony Mullins: ‘They’ve danced Fact To File up and down in distances. This horse’s head is wrecked.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘I think Banbridge has a bit of a chance if he turns up here, especially on better ground.’
PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL
Tony Mullins: ‘I’ve told the owners that Letos is definitely running in this. We’ve freshened him up since Naas and we think he’s good. It’s very competitive as 90 per cent of the field are between 136 and 130. He’ll definitely be competitive.’
KIM MUIR
Lydia Hislop: ‘I like Uhavemeinstitches. I thought that she ran really well behind The Big Westerner and Jade De Grugy at Limerick and shaped as though she wanted a trip.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘I have a feeling Waterford Whispers is running here. If he does get the trip, he’s a great chance.’
Cheltenham Festival Day 4 (Friday, March 13)
TRIUMPH HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘Willie could run numerous horses but one of Proactif and Macho Man will do me!’
Tony Mullins: ‘I was very impressed with Majolique’s win at Naas. She’s the potential improver.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘The form line between Proactif and Macho Man at Fairyhouse could be crucial. The latter came out on top that day. I’d be interested in either of those but I’ll say Proactif for now!’
COUNTY HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘Karbau impressed when qualifying for this by finishing second at Naas. Murcia has a chance but she wants dryer ground.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘Karbau shaped very well when second at Naas last time out. I can see the argument for Karbau and Murcia.’
Tony Mullins: ‘I’ll side with Workahead at a bigger price.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘If the ground is dry on the Friday, I can see Murcia going off around 7/2.’
Will Galopin Des Champs in a third Gold Cup after being beaten in the showpiece last year?
MRS PADDY POWER MARES’ CHASE
Ruby Walsh: ‘Dinoblue is rock solid.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘Dinoblue is too short and I like Diva Luna. She’ll be fresh and she’s got Cheltenham Festival form.’
Tony Mullins: ‘I’m with Spindleberry if they’ve fixed her after pulling up in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup last time.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘Dinoblue is the one to beat and Jade de Grugy could be a bigger priced option. She could be the biggest danger.’
ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘Doctor Steinberg could be vulnerable at a short price. Doctor Du Mesnil is better than he’s shown but if he lines up, this should suit him. The one I’d really fancy if he runs is Ill Sort That as he’s tailor made for the Albert Bartlett.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘King’s Bucks is a big price and he’s got Cheltenham form. Klimt Madrik is another at a price.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘You have to take on Doctor Steinberg and Thedeviluno. I’ll be doing that with Espresso Milan.’
GOLD CUP
Ruby Walsh: ‘Galopin Des Champs looks great but the same can be said about Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior. I’ll side with the latter of the three.’
Lydia Hislop: ‘Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man both have huge chances. If Gaelic Warrior settles, he’s also got a big chance.’
Tony Mullins: ‘I’m hearing that Galopin Des Champs is back to his best… if he is, he wins!’
ST JAMES’S PLACE HUNTERS’ CHASE
Ruby Walsh: ‘I’ve been very impressed with Panda Boy. I’ve heard quite a bit about Wrappedupinmay too…’
Johnny Dineen: ‘If Its On The Line doesn’t win, he’ll place. He’s a good each-way bet.’
MARTIN PIPE HANDICAP HURDLE
Ruby Walsh: ‘Roc Dino has a chance.’
Johnny Dineen: ‘I like Jump Allen. He’s fresh and he has a chance at a big price.’
